n't believe it. These are all impossible, and I never expect to get
them; but I want them, all the same. I want--" She hesitated, laughing
and blushing a little. "You'll make fun of me."

"No, I won't. Go on and tell."

"I want a bicycle first. Then I want to go to college." She hesitated
again and stuck fast.

"And then?"

She raised her head and spoke rapidly.

"Don't laugh; but I want some day to be an author and write books."

She started abruptly, for a white hand suddenly rested on her shoulder.

"Bravo, Miss Teddy!--for it is Miss Teddy; isn't it? Will has told me
about you and I'm glad to get a glimpse of you at last. Your wishes are
good ones, all of them, and I hope you will get them, and get them
soon."

As she spoke, Mrs. Farrington moved across and seated herself on the
edge of the lounge.

"How is the pain, Will?" she asked, bending over to settle him more
comfortably. "I was sorry to leave you so long; but you were in good
hands. Miss Teddy, this boy of mine says that you have been very good to
him, since we came here."

Theodora flushed a little. It was the first time she had been face to
face with Mrs. Farrington, and she found the slender figure in its
unrelieved black gown rather awe-inspiring. She began to wish that she
had taken Hope's advice and remained upon her own side of the fence.
During the past ten days, her neighborly calls had been frequent; but
she had always before now succeeded in making her escape before any one
else appeared. Hubert, in the meantime, had dutifully called on his new
neighbor; but he had called decorously and by way of the front gate, at
a time when Billy was out with his mother for their daily drive, so Mrs.
Farrington had caught no glimpse of their young neighbors who had it in
their power to make such a difference in her son's life. She had been
amused and interested in Billy's account of Theodora's erratic calls,
and she had felt an instant liking for the bright-faced, straightforward
young girl who was as free from self-consciousness as Billy himself.

"When is your father coming back?" she asked, after a pause, during
which she became conscious of Theodora's searching scrutiny.

"Day after to-morrow, I think. We had a letter from him, this morning."

"I am so glad," Mrs. Farrington said. "I want him to see Will as soon as
he comes. Dr. Parker spoke so highly of him that I feel it is everything
for us to be so near him as we are."

Theodora's color