newly painted. As the car came to a halt, the front door opened
with a bang and a tiny figure shot out of it, down the walk, and
through the gateway to meet Nan Sherwood as she stepped down from
the automobile.

"My Nan! My Nan!" shrieked Inez, and the half wild little creature
flung herself into the bigger girl's arms. "Come in and see how
nice I've kept your mamma. I've learned to brush her hair just as
you used to brush it. I'm going to be every bit like you when I get
big. Come on in!"

With this sort of welcome Nan Sherwood could scarcely do less than
enjoy herself during the week they remained in Tillbury. Inez, the
waif, had become Inez, the home-body. She was the dearest little
maid, so Momsey said, that ever was. And how happy she appeared
to be!

Her old worry of mind about the possibility of "three square meals"
a day and somebody who did not beat her too much, seemed to have
been forgotten by little Inez. The kindly oversight of Mrs.
Sherwood was making a loving, well-bred little girl of the odd
creature whom Nan and Bess had first met selling flowers on the
wintry streets of Chicago. Of course, during that week at home, the
three girls from Lakeview Hall did not sit down and fold their
hands. No, indeed! Bess Harley gave a big party at her house; and
there were automobile rides, and boating parties, and a picnic. It
was a very busy time.

"We scarcely know whether we have had you with us or not, Nan
dear," said her mother. "But I suppose Rhoda wants to get home and