sterly; "Well, but mercy, what
you so dressed up for?"

Lulu was in a thin black and white gown which they had never seen, and
wore the tilting hat with the red wing.

"Ninian bought me this," said Lulu only.

"But, Lulu, don't you think it might be better to keep, well--out of
sight for a few days?" Ina's lifted look besought her.

"Why?" Lulu asked.

"Why set people wondering till we have to?"

"They don't have to wonder, far as I'm concerned," said Lulu, and went
down the walk.

Ina looked at Dwight. "She never spoke to me like that in her life
before," she said.

She watched her sister's black and white figure going erectly down the
street.

"That gives me the funniest feeling," said Ina, "as if Lulu had on
clothes bought for her by some one that wasn't--that was--"

"By her husband who has left her," said Dwight sadly.

"Is that what it is, papa?" Di asked alertly. For a wonder, she was
there; had been there the greater part of the day--most of the time
staring, fascinated, at her Aunt Lulu.

"That's what it is, my little girl," said Dwight, and shook his head.

"Well, I think it's a shame," said Di stoutly. "And I think Uncle Ninian
is a slunge."

"Di!"

"I do. And I'd be ashamed to think anything else. I'd like to tell
everybody."

"There is," said Dwight, "no need for secrecy--now."

"Dwight!" said Ina--Ina's eyes always remained expressionless, but it
must have been her lashes that looked so startled.

"No need whatever for secrecy," he repeated with firmness. "The truth
is, Lulu's husband has tired of her and sent her home. We must face it."

"But, Dwight--how awful for Lulu...."

"Lulu," said Dwight, "has us to stand by her."

Lulu, walking down the main street, thought:

"Now Mis' Chambers is seeing me. Now Mis' Curtis. There's somebody
behind the vines at Mis' Martin's. Here comes Mis' Grove and I've got
to speak to her...."

One and another and another met her, and every one cried out at her some
version of:

"Lulu Bett!" Or, "W-well, it _isn't_ Lulu Bett any more, is it? Well,
what are you doing here? I thought...."

"I'm back to stay," she said.

"The idea! Well, where you hiding that handsome husband of yours? Say,
but we were surprised! You're the sly one--"

"My--Mr. Deacon isn't here."

"Oh."

"No. He's West."

"Oh, I see."

Having no arts, she must needs let the conversation die like this, could
invent nothing concealing or gracious on which to move away.