some trifling matter? You danced up and down, yelling, 'I won't. I
won't.' I could hardly keep from laughing. My young spitfire looked
very funny capering around and around, her long curls rumpled about her
determined, flushed face, and her feet not still an instant in her
flapping night-drawers. Many and many a time you escaped punishment,
Beth, because you were so very comical even in your naughtiness."

"I remember that night well," answered Beth. "You said, 'There, that
bad girl has come back. Even though it's night, she'll have to go.'"

"And," interrupted Mrs. Davenport, "you threw yourself into my arms,
crying, 'Mamma, whip me, but don't send me away.' I knew better than
to whip you, but I punished you by not kissing you good-night."

"And I cried myself to sleep," put in Beth, snuggling more closely to
her mother. "I thought I must be very naughty not to get my usual
good-night kiss. I do try to be good, but it's very hard work
sometimes. But I'll get the better of the bad girl, I'll leave her
here in New York, so she won't bother you in Florida."----

Just then Mr. Davenport entered the room. He was a tall, dark man with
a very kindly face.

"I think the snow is not deep enough to detain the trains," he said.
"It's time for us to start. The porter is here to take the trunks."

"We'll be ready in a moment," answered his wife. "I fear we'll find it
very disagreeable driving to the station."

And, in truth, outside the weather proved bitterly cold. The wind