"Well, where shall she go? Will you take her?"

"I? Certainly not," declared Kate, with decision. "I'm sure I see no
reason why I should."

"No more do I see why William should, either," cut in Cyril.

"Oh, come, what's the use," interposed Bertram. "Let her stay. She's a
nice little thing, I'm sure."

Cyril and Kate turned sharply.

"Bertram!" The cry was a duet of angry amazement. Then Kate added: "It
seems that you, too, have come under the sway of dark eyes, pink cheeks,
and an unknown quantity of curly hair!"

Bertram laughed.

"Oh, well, she would be nice to--er--paint," he murmured.

"See here, children," demurred William, a little sternly, "all this is
wasting time. There is no way out of it. I wouldn't be seen turning that
homeless child away now. We must keep her; that's settled. The question
is, how shall it be done? We must have some woman friend here to be her
companion, of course; but whom shall we get?"

Kate sighed, and looked her dismay. Bertram threw a glance into Cyril's
eyes, and made an expressive gesture.

"You see," it seemed to say. "I told you how it would be!"