ce
a week, from which she read extracts. Mrs. Hollister declared that he
was crafty and after Aunt Susan's money, and it seemed to worry her not
a little. She even started in to insinuate as much to the lady, who
gazed at her peculiarly until Grandmother took her alone one day and
said: "If ever you expect to make Aunt Susan fond of Ethel you are going
to work the wrong way. She's very sharp, and if you speak ill of Thomas
Harper you'll show your hand--I warn you.

"She'll do as she chooses and you can't compel her to do otherwise.
She's fond of Ethel now for herself. I warn you, Bella, not to let your
greediness make Susan know you as you are. I'd like her to keep the
good opinion of you that she has at present."

Mrs. Hollister knew that her mother-in-law spoke the truth and she said
nothing, but left the room.

CHAPTER VIII

ETHEL IS INVITED TO VISIT

One morning in May, as the last days of Aunt Susan's visit were drawing
to a close, she said to Mrs. Hollister: "Bella, Ethel tells me that her
vacation begins next week. Now I've been thinking it over. The child
doesn't look strong. She needs country air. I don't mean your
fashionable places, but where she can live out of doors in a simple
gown, play games, and take long walks, etc. Now you've given me such a
pleasant time that I'm going to invite her to go home with me. I'll wait
for her school to close and we can start from here Saturday."

Mrs. Hollister was overjoyed. Of all things that was what she had most
desired and, too, it would save them much expense, for a summer's trip
to a fashionable hotel made a large hole in Archibald Hollister's
salary.

"Yes, indeed, Aunt Susan, she will be simply delighted to go," replied
the lady. "I'll get her ready at once."

"She'll need nothing new," called out Aunt Susan. "We're very plain
people. We live simply, and her gowns and hats will seem like visions of
Paris fashions to the girls in our town. Then I shall ask Kate to come
for a visit as well. And, by the way, Bella, come back; I wish to say
something. You know my niece Kate goes up into Camp this summer with her
girls. Now I should like Ethel to go along. It is a great movement--this
Camp Fire movement--and it will do the child lots of good, for she
strikes me as very delicate."

Mrs. Hollister gasped.

"Yes," she replied, "Kate spoke to me of it but I shouldn't care for
Ethel to join."

"Why not?" asked Aunt Susan. "It certainly is the most cre