y I
should not associate with you, I'll go away and never come back."

"That's all very well," said Cynthia, "but suppose I don't admit your
qualifications for drawing my character. And I don't admit them, not for
a minute."

"I will draw it," said he, standing up in front of her. "Oh, confound
it!"

This exclamation, astonishing and out of place as it was, was caused
by a ring at the doorbell. The ring was followed by a whispering and
giggling in the hall, and then by the entrance of the Misses Merrill
into the parlor. Curiosity had been too strong for them. Susan was
human, and here was the opportunity for a little revenge. In justice to
her, she meant the revenge to be very slight.

"Well, Cynthia, you should have come to the concert," she said; "it was
fine, wasn't it, Jane? Is this Mr. Worthington? How do you do. I'm Miss
Susan Merrill, and this is Miss Jane Merrill." Susan only intended
to stay a minute, but how was Bob to know that? She was tempted into
staying longer. Bob lighted the gas, and she inspected him and approved.
Her approval increased when he began to talk to her in his bantering
way, as if he had known her always. Then, when she was fully intending
to go, he rose to take his leave.

"I'm awfully glad to have met you at last," he said to Susan, "I've
heard so much about you." His leave-taking of Jane was less effusive,
and then he turned to Cynthia and took her hand. "I'm going to Brampton
on Friday," he said, "for the holidays. I wish you were going."

"We couldn't think of letting her go, Mr. Worthington," cried Susan, for
the thought of the hills had made Cynthia incapable of answering. "We're
only to have her for one short winter, you know."

"Yes, I know," said Mr. Worthington, gravely. "I'll see old Ephraim,
and tell him you're well, and what a marvel of learning, you've become.
And--and I'll go to Coniston if that will please you."

"Oh, no, Bob, you mustn't do anything of the kind," answered Cynthia,
trying to keep back the tears. "I--I write to Uncle Jethro very often.
Good-by. I hope you will enjoy your holidays."

"I'm coming to see you the minute I get back and tell you all about
everybody," said he.

How was she to forbid him to come before Susan and Jane! She could only
be silent.

"Do come, Mr. Worthington," said Susan, warmly, wondering at Cynthia's
coldness and, indeed, misinterpreting it. "I am sure she will be glad to
see you. And we shall always make you welcome, at