does look to me! Why, where's Uncle William?''
she broke off, casting hurriedly anxious eyes
about her.

``Well, I should say so,'' echoed Bertram.
``Where is he, Pete? He isn't sick, is he?''

A quick change crossed the old servant's face.
He shook his head dumbly.

Billy gave a gleeful laugh.

``I know--he's asleep!'' she caroled, skipping
to the bottom of the stairway and looking up

``Ho, Uncle William! Better wake up, sir. The
folks have come!''

Pete cleared his throat.

``Mr. William isn't here, Miss--ma'am,'' he
corrected miserably.

Billy smiled, but she frowned, too.

``Not here! Well, I like that,'' she pouted;
``--and when I've brought him the most beautiful
pair of mirror knobs he ever saw, and all the
way in my bag, too, so I could give them to him
the very first thing,'' she added, darting over to