this afternoon.''

Billy made a sudden movement. The china
egg in her lap rolled to the floor.

``Oh, but I don't see him this afternoon,'' she
said lightly, as she stooped to pick up the egg.

``Why, I'm sure he told me--'' Aunt Hannah's
sentence ended in a questioning pause.

``Yes, I know,'' nodded Billy, brightly; ``but
he's told me something since. He isn't going.
He telephoned me this morning. Miss Winthrop
wanted the sitting changed from to-morrow to
this afternoon. He said he knew I'd understand.''

``Why, yes; but--'' Aunt Hannah did not
finish her sentence. The whir of an electric bell
had sounded through the house. A few moments
later Rosa appeared in the open doorway.

``It,'s Mr. Arkwright, Miss. He said as how
he had brought the music,'' she announced.

``Tell him I'll be down at once,'' directed the
mistress of Hillside.

As the maid disappeared, Billy put aside her
work and sprang lightly to her feet.