the side verandah, one of those cushioned
settee affairs that are so cosy to snuggle into, and read.

And it was without a glance at the house next door, that Dolly snuggled
herself in among the red cushions and opened her book, while Flossy
cuddled in the hollow of her arm; and concluding that she would be
quite as comforting asleep as awake, the kitten promptly fell into a
doze.

Meantime there were arrivals at the Rose house.

Eugenia, the eleven year old girl, had been staying with a cousin until
the house should be put in order, and now she had come to the new home.

She was a black-haired witch, and of exceeding vivacious and volatile
disposition.

"OO!--ee!" she exclaimed; "isn't it great! Take me everywhere, Dot! Show
me all the rooms and all the outdoorses and everything! I didn't know it
was such a big house. Which is my room?"

Even as she talked, Eugenia was flying upstairs, only to turn right
around and fly down again. She danced from room to room, sometimes
followed or preceded by Dotty and sometimes not. Her own room delighted
her. It faced the Fayres' house, being the one Dorothy had rejected in
favour of the other.

"Where's Blot?" asked Dotty; "didn't you bring him?"

"Oh, yes; he's down with Thomas. He's crazy. He barked all the way
here."

But Dotty was already flying down stairs to find her beloved puppy.

"Here he is, Miss Dorothy," and the chauffeur, Thomas, gave the black
poodle into her arms.

"Oh, you blessed Blotty-boy! Oh, you cunnin' Blotsy-wotsy! Does him love
hims Dotty?"

The love was manifested by some moist caresses and then Blot was all for
a scamper. Dotty took him out on the lawn and set him down, herself all
ready for a romp.

Now only a minute before, Flossy, the white kitten, had waked from her
nap, and seeing that Dolly was absorbed in her story-book, inferred that
kitten comfort was not at the moment needed, and decided to go after a
very yellow butterfly out on the Fayre lawn.

Stealthily across the grass, Flossy went butterflywards, on tippy-toe.
Each white paw was daintily lifted and softly set down on the thick
turf, as her progress continued. From the Rose lawn Blot spied the
advancing Flossy. He didn't then know her name, but he had liberal ideas
on the subject of introductions, and he made a wild dash toward the
oncoming kitten.

When Floss saw the small black whirlwind hurling itself at her, she was
either too brave or too frightened to retreat, so s