e hour!" concluded Pixie deeply, and they laughed in
concert. In the contemplation of the advantages of an Irish temperament
they had come near forgetting the real subject of discussion, but the
sight of the letter on the table before her recalled it to Bridgie's
remembrance. She straightened her back and assumed an air of
responsibility, a natural dramatic instinct prompting her to play her
part in appropriate fashion.

"Dick and I have been feeling, my dear, that as you are now really
grown-up, you ought to be having a livelier time than we can give you in
this strange town, and Esmeralda has been saying the same thing for
years past. She feels we have been rather selfish in keeping you so
much to ourselves, and thinks that it is her turn to have you to live
with her for a time. We think so too, Pixie. Not for altogether, of
course. For three or four months, say; and then you might go over to
Knock, and come back to us again for Christmas. Of course, darling, you
understand that we don't _want_ you to go!"

Pixie stared silently across the table. She had grown rather white, and
her brows were knitted in anxious consideration.

"Bridget Victor," she said solemnly, "is it the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth you are telling me, or is it just an excuse to
get me out of the way? If there's any trouble, or worry, or illness, or
upset coming on, that you want to spare me because I'm young, you'd
better know at once that it will only be the expense of the journey
wasted, for on the very first breath of it I'd fly back to you if it was
across the world!"

"I know it," said Bridgie, and blinked back a tear. "But it's the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, Pixie, that we are the happiest, and
the healthiest, and the contentedest little family in the country, and
there's no need to worry about us. We were thinking only of you, and
you are free in this instance to think only of yourself."

"That's agreeable!" was Pixie's comment. The frown left her brow and
she smiled, the wide lips parting to show brilliantly white little
teeth, teeth very nearly as pretty and infantile as those belonging to
the small Patsie upstairs. Beholding that smile, Bridgie had no doubt
as to the verdict which she was about to hear, and suffered an
unreasoning pang of disappointment.

"Then I'll confess to you, my dear," continued Pixie affably, "that I
find myself just in the mood for excitement. So long as you a