Mr. Drummond looked round the room with a disappointed air as he
entered, and then he came up to Phillis.

"You are alone?" he said, with a regretful accent in his voice; at
least Phillis fancied she detected it. "How is that? Are your sisters
out, or busy?"

"Oh, we are always busy," returned Phillis, lightly; but, curiously
enough, she felt a little sore at his tone. "Nan has gone down to
Albert Terrace to take a fresh order, and Dulce is in the town
somewhere with mother. Don't you mean to sit down, Mr. Drummond? or is
your business with mother? She will not be back just yet, but I could
give her any message." Phillis said this as she stitched away with
energy; but one quick glance had shown her that Mr. Drummond was
looking irresolute and ill at ease as he stood beside her.

"Thank you, but I must not stay and hinder you. Yes, my business was
with your mother; but it is of no consequence, and I can call again."
Nevertheless, he sat down and deposited his felt hat awkwardly enough
on the table. He liked Phillis, but he was a little afraid of her; she
was shrewd, and seemed to have the knack of reading one's thoughts. He
was wondering how he should bring his question on the _tapis_; but
Phillis, by some marvellous intuition that really surprised her, had
already come to the conclusion that this visit meant something. He had
seen Dick; perhaps he wanted to find out all about him. Certainly he
was not quite himself to-day. Yes, that must be what he wanted.
Phillis's kind heart and mother-wit were always ready for an
emergency.

"How full Hadleigh is getting!" she remarked, pleasantly, as she
adjusted the trimming of a sleeve. "Do you know some old neighbors of
ours from Oldfield turned up unexpectedly yesterday? They are going
away to-day, though," she added, with a little regret in her voice.

Archie brightened up visibly at this.

"Oh, indeed!" he observed, with alacrity. "Not a very long visit.
Perhaps they came down purposely to see you?"

"Yes, of course," returned Phillis, confusedly. "They had intended
staying some days at the hotel, but Mr. Mayne suddenly changed his
mind, much to our and Dick's disappointment; but it could not be
helped."

"Dick," echoed Archie, a little surprised at this familiarity and then
he added, somewhat awkwardly, "I think I saw the young man and his
father at the Library yesterday; and last night as I was coming from
the station I encountered him again at your gate."

"Ye