about her, and laughed at the recollection. "Never again will they throw
a stone at his bunnyship. We laid our hands together so, and swore by
the paw of the cinnamon bear and the ear of the tailless cat, to take
the part of our brother beasts and birds. It was all on the spur of the
moment, or I might have done better, but they were impressed."

[Illustration: UNCLE BOB]

"I should think so, indeed," remarked her uncle. "You are a sort of
philanthropist after all."

"Yes, I have a very marked bump. That reminds me, if I don't see Dr.
Prue, you tell her, please, that I am going to take Augustus McAllister
to the Suffrage meeting."

Having returned her robe to its box, Miss Bentley sat down at her desk
and wrote furiously for five minutes, then folded her letter, put it
in the envelope, and addressed, stamped, and sealed it, concluding the
business with a resolute fist. Shortly after, in the familiar grey suit,
with the little grey hat jammed down anyhow on her bright hair, she went
forth, the box containing the sunset cloud under her arm.

Homage and admiration attended upon her within Miss Kitty's humble
establishment, and waited outside in the persons of the adoring pigeons.
Virginia, having been unable to keep the story of the Little Red Chimney
to herself, must now in consequence share her ladyship with the flock.
But certain privileges were hers--to walk next to Miss Bentley and clasp
her disengaged hand; to carry her bag or book; to act as her prime
minister in keeping order.