been sympathizing with other people's troubles."

David, looking at him resentfully, came and stood beside her,
with an aggressively protecting manner. "I don't see why she need
bother about other people's troubles. Say, Materna, I--I wouldn't
feel badly. Mr. Ferguson, I--you--" he blustered; he was very
much perturbed.

The fact was David was not in an amiable humor; Elizabeth had
been very queer all the way home. "High and mighty!" David said
to himself; treating him as if he were a little boy, and she a
young lady! "And I'm seventeen--the idea of her putting on such
airs!" And now here was her uncle making his mother low-spirited.
"Materna, I wouldn't bother," he comforted her.

Mrs. Richie put a soothing hand on his arm. "Never mind," she
said; she was still pale, "Yes, it was a sad story. But I thank
you for telling me, Mr. Ferguson."

He tried awkwardly to apologize for having distressed her, and
then took himself off. When he opened his own door, even before
he closed it again, he called out, "Miss White!"

"Yes, sir?" said the little governess, peering rabbit-like from
the parlor.

"Miss White, I've been thinking; I'm going to buy Elizabeth a
piece of jewelry; a locket, I think. You can tell her so. Mrs.
Richie says she's quite sure she isn't really vain in wanting
such things."