s have, or
tried to; but I will say this much, Eunice Maitland, 'at I don't feel
you've the confidence in me you ought to have. That's all. I'll say no
more. And as for where them two oneasy young ones are, I can't guess. I
heard 'em talkin' or I heard Monty, up in the hay-mow, just after the
Squire wanted him. I heard him as I was crossing the gravel road to the
barn, yet when we got there an' called to him--he simply wasn't. He
knowed he'd been doin' wrong, most like, else he'd have come down."

"Did you tell him that it was Squire Pettijohn who wished to see him?"

"Yes. Course. I thought that would scare him into comin' right away."

Miss Maitland laughed, and answered: "My dear, misguided woman! You
might have known Monty well enough to understand how fast he would
disappear in some other direction. He has probably gone home and
Katharine with him. I hate to put any further task upon you, but I--I'm
rather upset by to-day's events and shall have to ask you to go for
Kate. I must tell her to remember hours and always be on hand at
meal-time. She is a winning child in many ways, but--I fear I'm too old
to get used again to any child."

Susanna went out without a further word. In her heart she was glad of
the rather long walk to Madam Sturtevant's, since during it she would
have opportunity to stop at some neighbors' doors, hear what they had to
say, and promptly disabuse their minds of whatever wild notions they had
that day acquired. For despite her personal vexation with Eunice she was
loyal to her, and felt that she had but to say "Bosh!" in her most
emphatic way to any rumor repeated in order to dispose of it. Mistaken
woman! As well try to stem the ocean's flood as to silence a secret once
betrayed!

These several calls, brief though they were, brought her somewhat late
to Madam Sturtevant's, and at that very moment when Alfaretta rushed
into the dining-room, frightened and breathless. Now the Widow Sprigg so
rarely paid a visit to the Mansion that she meant to make this one as
formal as possible; so, instead of tapping at the side door, she stepped
to the front one and gave a resounding whack upon the big brass knocker.

"Ouch!" screamed Alfaretta.

"Why--what's that!" exclaimed the Madam. After-dark callers were an
unknown thing at that house, and instant premonition of evil chilled
its mistress's heart.

"D-don't be s-s-scared!" said the little maid, hurrying to the lady's
side and clinging to her sk