I am writing to say we shall be home the last of the week." "Going away!" "Yes; don't you think we have been here long enough?
We only expected to stay until the last of March, and here it is almost May." "But what is the matter?
Why have you made up your mind so suddenly?
Mamma, you are so secret! I am sure something is the matter.

Is papa not well ?" She crossed over and stood by her mother.
Mrs.Yorke finished a word and paused a moment, with the end of her silver penholder against her teeth.
"Alice," she said reflectively, "I have something I want to say to you, and I have a mind to say it now.

I think I ought to speak to you very frankly." "Well, for goodness' sake, do, mamma; for I'm dying to know what has happened." She seated herself on the side of a chair for support.

Her face was almost white.
"Alice--" "Yes, mamma." Her politeness was ominous.
"Alice, I have had a talk with that young man--" Alice's face flushed suddenly.
"What young man ?" she asked, as though the Ridge Springs were thronged with young men behind every bush.
"That young man--Mr.Keith," firmly.
"Oh!" said Alice.

"With Mr.Keith?
Yes, mamma ?" Her color was changing quickly now.
"Yes, I have had a quite--a very extraordinary conversation with Mr.
Keith." As Mrs.Yorke drifted again into reflection, Alice was compelled to ask: "What about, mamma ?" "About you." "About me?
What about me ?" Her face was belying her assumed innocence.
"Alice, I hope you are not going to behave foolishly.