Then William spoke.
"Er--she--it isn't anywhere, my dear," he stammered; "or rather, it isn't here.

Kate lives up on the Avenue, you see, and is only here for--for a day or two--just now." "Oh!" murmured Billy.

And there was not one in the room at that moment who did not bless Spunk--for Spunk suddenly leaped to the table before him; and in the ensuing confusion his mistress quite forgot to question further concerning Mrs.Hartwell's stratum.
Dinner over, the three men, with their sister and Billy, trailed up-stairs to the drawing-rooms.

Billy told them, then, of her life at Hampden Falls.

She cried a little at the mention of Aunt Ella; and she portrayed very vividly the lonely life from which she herself had so gladly escaped.