she was real glad to see a Carr in her house at last.

"It was too bad," she went on, "to keep you waiting so. But the fact
is I got asleep and when you knocked, I waked up all in a daze, and
for a minute it didn't come to me who it must be. Take the bags right
upstairs, Isaphiny; and put them in the keeping-room chamber. How's
your pa, Elsie,--and Katy? Not laid up again, I hope."

"Oh, no; she seems to get better all the time."

"That's right," responded Mrs. Worrett, heartily. "I didn't know but
what, with hot weather, and company in the house, and all,--there's a
chicken, Johnnie," she exclaimed, suddenly interrupting herself, as
a long-legged hen ran past the door. "Want to chase it right away?
You can, if you like. Or would you rather go upstairs first?"

"Upstairs, please," replied John, while Elsie went to the door, and
watched Alexander driving away down the dusty road. She felt as if
their last friend had deserted them. Then she and Johnnie followed
Isaphiny upstairs. Mrs. Worrett never "mounted" in hot weather she
told them.

The spare chamber was just under the roof. It was very hot, and smelt
as if the windows had never been opened since the house was built. As
soon as they were alone, Elsie ran across the room, and threw up the
sash; but the moment she let go, it fell again with a crash which shook
the floor and made the pitcher dance and rattle in the wash-bowl. The
children were dreadfully frightened, especially when they heard Mrs.
Worrett at the foot of the stairs calling to ask what was the matter.