had
come this morning on purpose to find out, and then correct the deluded
public mind. She was quite satisfied, and the "I-told-you-so" spirit
was so jubilant within her, that she could hardly keep from flaunting it
before Bea's distressed face. She satisfied herself, however, with
looking at each dusty article with great care, brushing some imaginary
specks from her dress, settling her bonnet, and asking abruptly:

"How's your mother? I haven't long to stay."

"She was quite well, thank you, the last time she was home," answered
Bea, watching those eagle eyes in terror.

"Umph! Pity she can't stay home," said Miss Strong, once more taking in
the room with an unmistakable glance.

"It's very lonely without her," assented Bea, catching sight of the
wilted flowers under her father's portrait, and fervently hoping that
her visitor's eye would not see them. But vain hope! Miss Strong's eyes
went straight from the dirt under the stove up to the neglected vase,
and she smiled in a way, that made Bea long to jump up and scream.

"I have often wanted to see your father's portrait, and I have heard
what beautiful flowers you always kept under it. So lovely!"

"We do," answered Bea, with much dignity, and flashing a resentful
glance at Miss Strong. "Papa loved flowers dearly, and we always love to
have them under his picture; but Kittie must have been in a hurry, and
forgotten it this morning."

"In-deed," said Miss Strong slowly. "But excuse me, pray do, I wouldn't
have spoken of it, but I supposed, of course, that this room had not
been arranged for the day yet."

"Well, it is very early," retorted Bea, stung quite out of her patient
politeness; and Miss Strong got up immediately, shutting her mouth with
a vicious snap.

"I'm sure I wouldn't have called so early," she said shortly. "But I am
soliciting for the Church Fund, and having heard how exceedingly
generous and willing you all were to give to all such causes, I made my
first call here, confident that it would yield me encouragement."

Poor Bea colored violently again, remembering that she only had enough
money to pay the grocery bill, due to-morrow, and yet Miss Strong had
made her feel as though she must give something; every one would expect
it.

"I'm very sorry," she said, slowly. "But I really cannot this morning."

"In-deed," said Miss Strong again. "But then, people will be mistaken
once in a while; I must bid you good morning, Miss Dering;" and out