she in it?"

"No, only her cat. They had tied a bag over its head and a tin can to
its tail, and of course I couldn't let them do that. They were hurting
her. And now, Lady of the Roses, won't you please play?"

For a moment Miss Holbrook did not speak. She was gazing at David with
an odd look in her eyes. At last she drew a long sigh.

"David, you are the--the LIMIT!" she breathed, as she rose and seated
herself at the harp.

David was manifestly delighted with her playing, and begged for more
when she had finished; but Miss Holbrook shook her head. She seemed to
have grown suddenly restless, and she moved about the room calling
David's attention to something new each moment. Then, very abruptly,
she suggested that they go upstairs. From room to room she hurried the
boy, scarcely listening to his ardent comments, or answering his still
more ardent questions. Not until they reached the highest tower room,
indeed, did she sink wearily into a chair, and seem for a moment at
rest.

David looked about him in surprise. Even his untrained eye could see
that he had entered a different world. There were no sumptuous rugs, no
silken hangings; no mirrors, no snowflake curtains. There were books,
to be sure, but besides those there were only a plain low table, a
work-basket, and three or four wooden-seated though comfortable chairs.
With increasing wonder he looked into Miss Holbrook's eyes.

"Is it here that you stay--all day?" he asked diffidently.

Miss Holbrook's face turned a vivid scarlet.

"Why, David, what a question! Of course not! Why should you think I
did?"

"Nothing; only I've been wondering all the time I've been here how you
could--with all those beautiful things around you downstairs--say what
you did."

"Say what?--when?"

"That other day in the garden--about ALL your hours being cloudy ones.
So I didn't know to-day but what you LIVED up here, same as Mrs. Holly
doesn't use her best rooms; and that was why your hours were all cloudy
ones."

With a sudden movement Miss Holbrook rose to her feet.

"Nonsense, David! You shouldn't always remember everything that people
say to you. Come, you haven't seen one of the views from the windows
yet. We are in the larger tower, you know. You can see Hinsdale village
on this side, and there's a fine view of the mountains over there. Oh
yes, and from the other side there's your friend's house--Mr. Jack's.
By the way, how is Mr. Jack these days?" Miss Holbrook st