said to herself. Who that ever had known Gwen would believe that she
could refrain from doing just the same thing, the first time that her
curiosity prompted her? She had been frightened, and, for the moment,
would have promised anything.

The man, a studious, quiet man, with an unpleasant disposition, had
been annoyed when Gwen had interrupted his reading.

Knowing little of children, he had not dreamed that he would frighten
her, and when she ran out, he simply turned another page, and continued
reading.

He had wished her to fully realize that she was an intruder, and when
she turned and ran, he felt that she understood.

The first person that she met was the private teacher who, for the
past few weeks had been endeavoring to have at least a few hours each
day devoted study.

Gwen had refused to look at a lesson book in the forenoon, and when
afternoon had arrived, she had left the house to escape instruction.

"Miss Gwen, I've been looking everywhere for you, and your mamma is
really quite nervous, because you've been gone so long. Where have you
been?" the young woman asked.

"I don't _have_ to tell you," Gwen replied rudely, "but I will because
I want to. I made some calls, and the last one was funny, and queer
too. I was frightened _some_, and I ran out of the house where a cross
man just shouted at me!"