"Austry's under the bed," announced Europena, who had joined in the
quest.

"I ain't!" came in shrill, indignant tones, as Mrs. Wiggs dragged
forth the culprit, and restored the muff.

"May I drive you over to the avenue? I am going that way." It was
Redding's voice, but it sounded queer and unnatural.

"Oh, no! No, thank you," gasped Lucy, hardly knowing what she said.
Her one idea was to get away before she broke down completely.

Redding held the door open as she passed out. His face was cold,
calm, inscrutable; not a quiver of the mouth, not a flutter of the
lids, but the light went out of his eyes and hope died in his heart.

Mrs. Wiggs stood watching the scene in perplexity.

"I dunno what ailed Miss Lucy," she said, apologetically; "hope it
wasn't the toothache."



CHAPTER IX

HOW SPRING CAME TO THE CABBAGE PATCH

"The roads, the woods, the heavens, the hills
Are not a world to-day--
But just a place God made for us