him all over from top to toes. Jimmy began to feel more uncomfortable
than ever, and at last he thought he really must say something.

'Good-morning,' he cried.

'Why did the people send you here?' asked Aunt Selina.

'You see,' said Jimmy, 'Aunt Mary and Uncle Henry were out and the house
was shut up.'

'I always said it was foolish to travel at this time of year,' was the
answer.

'So Miss Roberts brought me here,' said Jimmy.

'Well,' exclaimed Aunt Selina, 'I am sure I don't know what is to be
done with you.'

'I didn't want to come,' answered Jimmy.

'Don't be rude,' said his aunt. 'Now you are here, I suppose I must keep
you for to-night. But there is no accommodation here for boys.'

'I had a very nice dinner, though,' said Jimmy.

'Have you washed your face?' she asked suddenly.

'No,' he answered, for washing his face was a thing he never felt
anxious about.

Miss Morton walked to the bell and rang it. A few moments later the
butler re-entered the room, standing with one hand on the door.

'Jones,' she said, 'take Master Wilmot to the spare bedroom to wash his
face; and give him a comb and brush to do his hair.'

Jones took Jimmy upstairs to a large bedroom, and poured some water into
a basin. Then he brought a clean towel, and showed Jimmy where to find
the soap and the comb and brush. The butler then left him alone, and the
boy took off his jacket and dipped his hands in the water. When he
thought his hands were clean enough, he washed a round place on his
face, and having wiped this nearly dry, he went to the looking-glass and
brushed the front of his hair where he had made it wet. When he had put
his coat on again he wondered whether he ought to wait for the butler or
to go downstairs alone; but as Jones did not come back, Jimmy opened the
door and went down.

He saw Miss Morton sitting in an arm-chair, and now that she had taken
off her bonnet and veil he thought she looked more severe than ever.

'Come here, James,' she said, as he stood near the door. No one else had
ever called him James. 'When did you hear from your mother?' she asked.

'I didn't have a letter last month,' he answered.

'I asked when you did have a letter,' said Aunt Selina,--'not when you
didn't have one.'

'I think it was about two months ago,' said Jimmy.

'Did she say anything about coming home?' asked Aunt Selina.

'She said I might see her soon,' cried Jimmy. 'I do hope I shall.'

'Very likely you will