found his aunt Janet waiting for him. "Come
here," she whispered, and Johnny followed her,
trembling, into her own room. It was a large room,
rather crowded with heavy, old-fashioned furni-
ture. Aunt Janet had freed herself from dust and
was arrayed in a purple silk gown. Her hair was
looped loosely on either side of her long face. She
was a handsome woman, after a certain type.

"Stand here, Johnny," said she. She had closed
the door, and Johnny was stationed before her.
She did not seem in the least injured nor the worse
for her experience. On the contrary, there was a
bright-red flush on her cheeks, and her eyes shone
as Johnny had never seen them. She looked eagerly
at Johnny.

"Why did you do that?" she said, but there was
no anger in her voice.

"I forgot," began Johnny.

"Forgot what?" Her voice was strained with
eagerness.

"That you were not another boy," said Johnny.

"Tell me," said Aunt Janet. "No, you need not
tell me, because if you did it might be my duty to
inform your parents. I know there is no need of