it--er--Uncle Hosea?"

"It is just above here," I answered, sulkily. "But--"

"But you will get it. Thank you so much."

The salesman noticed my hesitation, put his own interpretation upon it
and hastened to oblige.

"I shall be glad to have the purchases carried there," he said. "Our boy
will do it, miss. It will be no trouble."

Miss Morley thanked him so much. I was hoping she might leave the shop
then, but she did not. The various packages were wrapped, handed to
the boy, and she accompanied the latter to the door and showed him our
equipage standing before the sporting-goods dealer's. Then she sauntered
back.

"Thank you," she said, addressing the clerk. "That is all, I believe."

The clerk looked at her and at me.

"Yes, miss, thank you," he said, in return. "I--I--would you be wishing
to pay at once, miss, or shall I--"

"Oh, this gentleman will pay. Do you wish to pay now--Uncle Hosea?"

Again I was stumped. The salesman was regarding me expectantly; the
other clerks were near by; if I made a scene there--No, I could not do
it. I would pay this time. But this should be the end.

Fortunately, I had money in my pocket--two five-pound notes and some
silver. I paid the bill. Then, and at last, my niece led the way to the
pavement. We walked together a few steps in silence. The sporting-goods
shop was just ahead, and if ever I was determined not to do a thing that
thing was to pay for the tennis racket and the rest.

"Frances," I began.

"Well--Mr. Knowles?" calmly.

"Frances, I have decided to speak with you frankly. You appear to take
certain things for granted in your--your dealings with Miss Cahoon and
myself, things which--which I cannot countenance or permit."

She had been walking slowly. Now she stopped short. I stopped, too,
because she did.

"What do you mean?" she asked. "What things?"

She was looking me through and through. Again I hesitated, and my
hesitation did not help matters.

"What do you mean?" she repeated. "What is it you cannot countenance
or"--scornfully--"permit concerning me?"

"I--well, I cannot permit you to do as you have done to-day. You did not
tell your aunt or me your purpose in coming to Wrayton. You did not tell
us you were coming here to buy--to buy various things for yourself."

"Why should I tell you? They were for myself. Is it your idea that I
should ask YOUR permission before buying what I choose?"

"Considering that you ask me to pay, I--"

"I mos