some awful calamity must have happened, followed her sister upstairs, and
found her walking the floor like a caged tiger, her eyes positively fierce
as they looked straight before her, though seeing nothing.

"What is the matter, Dexie?" she asked in alarm.

Dexie turned and motioned imperiously for her to leave the room, then shut
the door with a slam that shook the house. Gussie hurried to her father,
saying:

"Oh, papa! do go and see Dexie. I believe she is going to have a fit, for
she looks awful."

"What's that?" and Mr. Sherwood looked up from his paper. "Did you say
something the matter with Dexie?"

"Yes, do go and see what it is, for she turned me out of the room."

"Have you been teasing her again about whistling?" he asked, looking at
her sharply. "I told you to let your sister alone."

"Oh! it isn't that, papa. I have not offended her. She has only just
returned from the store, but there's something the matter with her, for her
very looks frightened me."

Being thus admonished Mr. Sherwood was soon in Dexie's room, and he was
startled at the intense expression of his daughter's face.

"My dear girl! what has happened to you?" he tenderly asked, as he took her
hands and drew her to his side. "Try and tell me." He stroked her ruffled
hair, and spoke in soothing tones, but it was several minutes before she
could utter a word.

"Dexie, my dear, calm yourself, and tell me what is the matter; you will
make yourself ill. What is it all about, my dear?"

Dexie pointed to the crumpled handbill that she had tossed under the table
as she threw off her wraps, and her father stooped and picked it up, then
smoothing it across his knee read the cause of offence.

"Why, you foolish girl! surely it is not this that has put you into such a
passion?"

"I won't have it! How dared they! The 'American Warbler,' indeed! Do they
think I will overlook such insolence and go to their old concert after that
public insult! No, I won't put up with it, so there!" and a flood of tears
brought relief to the overcharged heart.

"Dexie, they never intended to hurt your feelings; it is only a mistake on
your part to think so for a moment. Why, it is quite a joke, one that the
audience will not be slow in appreciating, I'll warrant. Come, dry your
eyes, and never mind this announcement."

But Dexie flung herself on the bed, sobbing through her tears: "Oh, papa,
what made you make me say I would whistle when I did not want to