"Oh, then you did stay at home--and for me! I'm so sorry," she
stammered.

But Mrs. Pendergast raised a deprecatory hand.

"Say no more. It was nothing. Now come, let me show you to your room.
I've given you Ella's room, and put Ella in Tom's, and Tom in Bert's,
and moved Bert upstairs to the little room over--"

"Oh, don't!" interrupted Jane, in quick distress. "I don't want to put
people out so! Let me go upstairs." Mrs. Pendergast frowned and sighed.
She had the air of one whose kindest efforts are misunderstood.

"My dear Jane, I am sorry, but I shall have to ask you to be as
satisfied as you can be with the arrangements I am able to make for you.
You see, even though this house is large, I am, in a way, cramped for
room. I always have to keep three guest-rooms ready for immediate
occupancy. I am a member of four clubs and six charitable and religious
organizations, besides the church, and there are always ministers and
delegates whom I feel it my duty to entertain."

"But that is all the more reason why I should go upstairs, and not put
all those children out of their rooms," begged Jane.

Mrs. Pendergast shook her head.

"It does them good," she said decidely, "to learn to be self-
sacrificing. That is a virtue we all must learn to practice."

Jane flushed again; then she turned abruptly. "Julia, did you want me