" she said despondently, "if _you_ are going to be noble, too,
there's no use discussing the matter. What an example we shall be for
the heathen nations! You will be noble and give up Dick Morton; I
shall be noble and marry him; and be noble at the same time in giving
up Tom; Tom will be noble in suffering me to marry anybody but
himself; Dick will be noble in obliging my father and marrying me
instead of you; Laura is always noble! We could use up a whole order
of nobility among us! And it is all so silly! Do you suppose my dear
father would want four of us to be unhappy, his own daughter among
them? It's really only Laura who matters, and if you had any ingenuity
you could pacify her and persuade her that it is my duty for once to
follow my ignoble inclinations. I am afraid of her, but _you_ needn't
be! You could blaze and flash and tower, if you only would, and save
us all!"

"You seem to forget," I urged, "that Mr. Morton has never asked me to
marry him."

"That's nothing; he has probably been thinking how he could get me
nicely disposed of, or how he could earn a roof under which he could
ask you to step in wet weather. He's been too stupid and moody and
dull this last winter for any use, and now I understand him. Has he
ever seen you like this with your Rebecca-at-the-well hair down?"

"Certainly not!"

"I thought so; or he'd have forgotten the necessary roof!--Come
in!--Goodness! it's your room and I locked the door! Do excuse me;
I'll open it. A telegram for you.--Wait outside for an answer,
Jimmy."

I tore open the envelope, confidently expecting that Cousin Sarah had
been struck with paralysis; instead of which I read:

Archville, Pennsylvania,
June 16

Have this moment secured a large and important contract assuring
two years' lucrative work. May I come to see you immediately?
Name earliest day.

R. M.

I handed the message to the Kitten, who read it and exclaimed: "I knew
he was only waiting for the roof! You see he doesn't worry about _my_
prospects--selfish pig! Answer it and say Thursday--you can get well
by Thursday, can't you?--for I want to send for Tom on the same day.
There's a polo game at home on Saturday, and Tom has a new motor car.
Tell Dick the best hotel in the town is the Brooks House. I must wire
to Laura, too. I shall say,