much in earnest not to improve. Month by month she learned how to
manage a little better, and a little better still. Matters went on more
smoothly. Her cares ceased to fret her. Dr. Carr watching the
increasing brightness of her face and manner, felt that the experiment
was a success. Nothing more was said about "somebody else," and Katy,
sitting up stairs in her big chair, held the threads of the house
firmly in her hands.




CHAPTER XII

TWO YEARS AFTERWARD


It was a pleasant morning in early June. A warm wind was rustling the
trees, which were covered thickly with half-opened leaves, and looked
like fountains of green spray thrown high into the air. Dr. Carr's front
door stood wide open. Through the parlor window came the sound of piano
practice, and on the steps, under the budding roses, sat a small figure,
busily sewing.

This was Clover, little Clover still, though more than two years had
passed since we saw her last, and she was now over fourteen. Clover was
never intended to be tall. Her eyes were as blue and sweet as ever, and
her apple-blossom cheeks as pink. But the brown pig-tails were pinned up
into a round knot, and the childish face had gained almost a womanly
look. Old Mary declared that Miss Clover was getting quite
young-ladyfied, and "Miss Clover" was quite aware of the fact, and