to meet.''

``Well, then, why don't you help her meet
them?'' retorted William, still with a whimsical
smile.

But Aunt Hannah did not smile. For a minute
she did not speak; then, with her eyes studiously
averted, she said:

``William, the first four years of my married
life were--were spoiled by an outsider in our
home. I don't mean to spoil Billy's.''

William relaxed visibly. The smile fled from
his face.

``Why--Aunt--Hannah!'' he exclaimed.

The little old lady turned with a weary sigh.

``Yes, I know. You are shocked, of course.
I shouldn't have told you. Still, it is all past
long ago, and--I wanted to make you understand
why I can't come. He was my husband's
eldest brother--a bachelor. He was good and
kind, and meant well, I suppose; but--he
interfered with everything. I was young, and
probably headstrong. At all events, there was
constant friction. He went away once and