cheme
of actual human happenings. Then from that under-swirl of feeling rose
one definite thought: "I shall never live here."

She turned abruptly from the window, bracing herself by saying aloud:
"Bless me! I'm getting like the old women in Back Hoggate. I shall
soon be counting my ailing relatives over if a spark flies out of the
candle." But even this comparison of herself with the superstitious
inhabitants of the oldest part of Thorhaven did not drive away that
unpleasant feeling, and she felt relieved by the sound of a human voice
calling up the stairs: "Miss Ethel! I've brought the key. And I have
put your lunch ready, and left the kettle on. I thought you might be
glad of a cup of tea."

The voice, fresh, confident, full of abounding vitality, dispelled
those queer sensations of Miss Ethel's. She came to the top of the
stairs and thanked Caroline, for she had learned that she could no
longer take good and willing service for granted. The extent, indeed,
to which she had been bowed by circumstances, showed in her anxious,
almost humble manner, as she hastened to add--despite her annoyance
about the gossip concerning Caroline and Godfrey: "I hope you found the
small beef-steak pie I left for your dinner? I forgot to tell you it
was in the safe."

"Oh, I got all I wanted, thank you," said Caroline, adding as she went
again down the passage: "I'll come straight in, Miss Ethel."

For she had felt very sorry for these two women as she busied herself
about the house all the morning, doing her best to make things cheerful
against their return. But on the way here, a few minutes ago, she had
met Laura Temple on the road, and that put everything else out of her
mind. She actually held her breath as they approached, wondering what
would happen. If Laura had heard any of the gossip that was about the
town her salutation--supposing she gave one at all--would be different.

But her pleasant "Good morning, Miss Raby," was just the same as usual;
and though there might be a stiffness about Miss Panton's greeting,
that lady never had been cordial.

But the brief encounter had left Caroline disturbed, confused,
breathless--as if she had been running too fast for her strength. Her
knees shook under her as she went on her way towards Emerald Avenue,
though she looked just as usual--able to exchange a chaffing word with
a boy of her acquaintance. For she, no less than other human beings,
would be obliged to go t