few country people?"

"I don't care what they think," and the woman's voice was severer than
usual. "I know that I shall not be able to meet a number of society
lights, for which I shall be most thankful."

Rod and Phil had never been in a large hotel before, and they gazed
with wonder upon everything they saw. The elevator, which moved so
easily upwards, was a great mystery. Then the large carpeted hallway
through which they passed, where their footsteps could not be heard,
and last of all the spacious room into which they were admitted, caused
their eyes to bulge with astonishment. When they were comfortably
seated in big chairs, with the singer sitting close to Rod, so she
could watch his every movement, the talk naturally drifted off to
Hillcrest. Rod told about the scouts, Whyn, the Britts, Miss Arabella,
and his own life at the rectory. Miss Royanna led him deftly along to
tell about these various people, especially Mr. and Mrs. Royal. Soon
she learned much about Rod's daily work, what he was fond of most of
all, and numerous other things concerning his life.

"Have you lived long with your grandparents?" she asked.

"Ever since I was a baby. I was left there one dark, wild night by my
mother."

"And so you have never seen her?"

"No. But I have had letters from her, though. She's coming to see me
sometime this summer."