the shelter of his roof and within an hour. The poor lady was
nonplussed. She had not dreamed that life's tranquil journey lay
exposed to a surprise at once so simple and so disconcerting, and in
her vexation she came near to hysterics.

"What to make of your sister, I know not," she cried, twenty minutes
later, seating herself to have her hair dressed by Patty.

"Her temper was always a little uncertain," said Patty sagely.
"I think father spoilt her by teaching her Greek and poetry and such
things."

"Greek! You don't tell me that Greek makes a person want to walk out
of a comfortable house at a moment's notice and leave my poor
darlings on the stream!"

"Oh, no," agreed Patty. "You will not allow it, of course?"

"Perhaps you'll tell me how to prevent it? In all my life I don't
remember being so much annoyed."

So Hetty had her way, packed a small bundle, and was ready at the
gate for the passing of the carrier's van which would set her down
within a mile of home. She had acted on an impulse, unreasoning, but
not to be resisted. She felt the crisis of her life approaching and
had urgent need, before it came on her, to make confession and
cleanse her soul. She knew she was hurrying towards a tempest; but,
whatever it might wreck, she panted for the clear sky beyond. In her
fever the van seemed to crawl and the miles to drag themselves out
interminably.