the stairs very creditably. "There, here we are now. Whew! it's terribly
warm in this house!"

But there was no danger from Polly; she was at this very instant, not
being able to find Phronsie, hurrying off toward the library in search
of Mrs. Whitney.

"We want to do the very loveliest thing!" she cried, rushing in, her
cheeks aflame. "Oh! pray excuse me." She stopped short, blushing
scarlet.

"Don't feel badly, Polly dear," said Mrs. Whitney, over in the dim
light, where the divan was drawn up in the east window, and she held out
her hand and smiled; the other lady whose tete-a-tete was thus summarily
disturbed was elderly and very tall and angular. She put up her eyeglass
at the intrusion and murmured "Ah?"

"This is Polly Pepper," said Mrs. Whitney, as Polly, feeling unusually
awkward and shy, stumbled across the library to get within the kind arms
awaiting her.

"One of the children that your kindness received in this house?" said
the tall lady, making good use of the eyeglass. The color mounted
steadily on Polly's already rosy cheek, at the scrutiny now going on
with the greatest freedom.

"One of the dear children who make this house a sunny place for us all."
said Mrs. Whitney distinctly.

"Ah? I see. You are extremely good to put it in that way." A low, well-