Mary-'Gusta, who had been taught by the beloved Mrs.Bailey to consider lying a deadly sin, regarded her companion's lapses with alarmed disapproval, but she was too loyal to contradict and more than once endured reproof when the fault was not hers.

She had had few playmates in her short life and this one, though far from perfect, was a joy.
They explored the house together and found in the big attic and the stuffy, shut-up best parlor the most fascinating of treasure hordes.

The former, with its rows of old trunks and sea chests under the low eaves, the queer garments and discarded hats hanging on the nails, the dusky corners where the light from the little windows scarcely penetrated even on a sunny May afternoon, was the girl's especial Paradise.

Here she came to play by herself on rainy days or when she did not care for company.

Her love of make-believe and romance had free scope here and with no Jimmie to laugh and make fun of her imaginings she pretended to her heart's content.