there was time I would write and ask Helen to see to it."

"Why, Giff says he won't get off for a fortnight," Lois said, with
sudden surprise.

"I thought so," responded Miss Deborah, shaking her head, so that the
little gray curls just above her ears trembled,--"I thought so, too; but
last night he said he was going at once. At least," stopping to correct
herself, "dear Ruth and I think it best for him to go. I have everything
ready for him, so no doubt he'll get off to-morrow."

Lois was silent.

"The fact is," said Miss Deborah, lowering her voice, "Gifford does not
seem perfectly happy. Of course you wouldn't be apt to observe it; but
those things don't escape my eyes. He's been depressed for some time."

"I hadn't noticed it," said Lois faintly.

"Oh, no, certainly not," answered Miss Deborah; "it would be scarcely
proper that you should, considering the reason: but it's no surprise to
me. I always thought that when they grew old enough, dear Giff and Helen
would care for one another; and so I don't wonder that he has been
feeling some disappointment since he came home, though I had written him
she was engaged--Much too young she was, too, in my judgment."

Lois's astonishment was so great that she dropped her mop, and Miss
Deborah looked at her reprovingly over her glasses. "Oh, yes, there's no
doubt Gifford felt it," she said, "but he'll get over it. Those things do
not last with men. You know I wouldn't speak of this to any one but you,