of hearing about Andrew Bolton," complained
Ellen. "I've heard nothing else since I can remember. It's a pity you
bought this house, Miss Orr: I heard Mr. Elliot say it was like
stirring up a horrid, muddy pool. Not very complimentary to
Brookville; but then--"

"Don't you think people will--forget after a while?" asked Lydia, her
blue eyes fixed appealingly on the two young faces. "I don't see why
everybody should--"

"Well, if you'd fixed the house entirely different," said Mrs. Dix.
"But having it put back, just as it was, and wanting the old
furniture and all--whatever put that into your head, my dear?"

"I heard it was handsome and old--I like old things. And, of course,
it was--more in keeping to restore the house as it was, than to--"

"Well, I s'pose that's so," conceded Mrs. Dodge, her quick dark eyes
busy with the renovated interior. "I'd sort of forgot how it did look
when the Boltons was livin' here. But speaking of furniture; I see
Mrs. Judge Fulsom let you have the old sofa. I remember she got it at
the auction; she's kept it in her parlor ever since."

"Yes," said Lydia. "I was only too happy to give a hundred dollars
for the sofa. It has been excellently preserved."

"A hundred dollars!" echoed Mrs. Dix. "Well!"

Mrs. Dodge giggled excitedly, like a young girl.

"A hundred dollars!" she repeated. "Well, I want to know!"

The two women exchanged swift glances.

"You wouldn't want to buy any pieces that had been broke, I s'pose,"
suggested Mrs. Dodge.

"If they can be repaired, I certainly do," replied Lydia.

"Mother!" expostulated Fanny, in a low but urgent tone. "Ellen and
I--we really ought to be going."

The girl's face glowed with shamed crimson. She felt haughty and
humiliated and angry all at once. It was not to be borne.

Mrs. Dix was not listening to Fanny Dodge.

"I bid in the big, four-post mahogany bed at the auction," she said,
"and the bureau to match; an' I believe there are two or three chairs
about the house."

"We've got a table," chimed in Mrs. Dodge; "but one leg give away,
an' I had it put up in the attic years ago. And Fanny's got a bed and
bureau in her room that was painted white, with little pink flowers
tied up with blue ribbons. Of course the paint is pretty well rubbed
off; but--"

"Oh, might I have that set?" cried Lydia, turning to Fanny. "Perhaps
you've grown fond of it and won't want to give it up. But I--I'd pay
almost anything for it. And of course