he liked her new friends too, so much, and wanted them
to like her. Tears rose in her eyes as the truth came home to her that
she was being false to those who loved her, and to those who had been so
kind to her--and all for what?

She did not answer the question, but stood up and stared out of the
window, that those within the carriage might not see her face. And so Mr.
Carlyle, Deborah and Tom saw her as the train drew up, and her father's
heart rejoiced at her--as he thought--anxiety to catch the first glimpse
of them after their long separation.

"Has it been a very long and dreary journey, dear?" he asked, as he put
his arm round her shoulders and kissed her. "Did you have company, or
have you had to come all the way alone?"

"I had very nice company, part of the way," she answered, and blushed
hotly, as, glancing out under the brim of her hat, she caught sight of
Keith Vivian and Irene hanging out of their window looking at her.
"Perhaps I had better get a porter and see about my luggage," she added
hastily. It was very tiresome that they should have to wait on the
platform until the train went out, before they were allowed to cross the
line by the footway. But it always was so on the down platform of the
little Moor End station.

To Tom and Debby one of their greatest treats was to stand and see the
engine puff in and puff out on its way again. Audrey grew quite cross
with the eager and shabby little pair who would stand so prominently
forward, and stare so hard. With a hoot and a puff and a snort the engine
moved slowly on, and the Vivians' carriage drew nearer. Daphne was at the
window now, as well as Irene and Keith, their hands waving wildly in
farewell greeting.

"Good-bye! Good-bye!" they called out, as cheerfully as though they had
not noticed the cloud which had fallen on the end of their happy journey.
"Perhaps we shall see you----" the rattle drowned the end of their
greeting, and saved Audrey the necessity of replying.

"Oh! oh! Audrey, you pushed right in front of me. I couldn't see a thing,
and your elbow bumped me in the eye!"

Audrey stepped back quickly; she blushed and looked embarrassed. She had
not meant to bump her little sister in the eye, but she had meant to get
in front of her and hide from view her shabby frock and patched boots.
She had done it deliberately.

"I am very sorry, Debby, if I hurt you," she said stiffly, "but you do make
a fuss about a trifle!"

"Debby do