his dear old head. He couldn't have thought it himself."

"I don't know," said Christie musingly; "but perhaps it's just as well
if we kept a little more to ourselves for a while."

"Did father say so?" said Jessie quickly.

"No, but that is evidently what he meant."

"Ye-es," said Jessie slowly, "unless--"

"Unless what?" said Christie sharply. "Jessie, you don't for a moment
mean to say that you could possibly conceive of anything else?"

"I mean to say," said Jessie, stealing her arm around her sister's waist
demurely, "that you are perfectly right. We'll keep away from these
fascinating Devil's Forders, and particularly the youngest Kearney.
I believe there has been some ill-natured gossip. I remember that the
other day, when we passed the shanty of that Pike County family on
the slope, there were three women at the door, and one of them said
something that made poor little Kearney turn white and pink alternately,
and dance with suppressed rage. I suppose the old lady--M'Corkle, that's
her name--would like to have a share of our cavaliers for her Euphemy
and Mamie. I dare say it's only right; I would lend them the cherub
occasionally, and you might let them have Mr. Munroe twice a week."

She laughed, but her eyes sought her sister's with a certain
watchfulness of expression.

Christie shrugged her shoulders, with a suggestion of disgust.