CHAPTER VI.


Mae was very much ashamed of herself the next morning. She had been
restored in a measure to popular favor, through Eric, the day before.
Edith and Albert were home from Frascati, when Eric made his raid
bravely on their forces combined with those of Mrs. Jerrold. He advanced
boldly. "It's all nonsense, child, as she is," he said. "It was natural
enough, to talk with the man," for Mae had made a clean breast of her
misdoings to him, to the extent of saying that they had chatted after
the beggar left. "Do forgive her, poor little proud tot, away across the
sea from her mother. Albert, you're as hard as a rock, and that Edith
has no spirit in her," he added, under his breath. This remark made
Albert white with rage. Nevertheless, he put in a plea for his wayward,
reckless little sister, with effect. After a few more remarks from Mrs.
Jerrold, Mae came out of the ordeal; was treated naturally, and, as we
have seen, accompanied Mrs. Jerrold to the play the night before.

Now, it was the next day. Mrs. Jerrold breakfasted in her own room
again, and spent the hours in writing home letters full of the Peter
and Paul reminiscences and quotations. Norman and Eric left for the
Costanzi, and Albert and Edith, armed with books, and note-books, and
the small camp-stools, again started away together. This last 'again'
was getting to be accepted quite as a matter of course. Everybody knew
what it meant. They always invited the rest of the company to go
with them, and were especially urgent, this morning, that Mae should
accompany them.

"Why, with mamma in her room you will be lonely," suggested Edith, "and