new things?" asked Miss Phillips.

With a shrug of the utmost indifference, Frieda replied,

"I don't care!"

"You're not a bit homesick, are you, Frieda?" asked Frances, more, it
would seem, as if to make conversation, than because she really thought
there was any likelihood of this contingency.

The girl regarded her questioner scornfully.

"For them folks?" she asked sarcastically. "I don't want to see them no
more!"

Frances sighed--and surrendered. Ever since she and her Captain had met
the country girl, she had tried to be friendly and sympathetic; in every
instance Frieda had repulsed her in this rude manner. At first Frances
had felt hurt; with a great deal of effort she had kept back the tears
that the sharp replies would bring dangerously near to the surface.
Then, too, the girl had been so outrageously ungrateful; she had almost
made a scene in a store where Miss Phillips tried to buy a ten-dollar
dress, and had declared that she would never wear it! Finally, they had
compromised on a dark skirt and two middy blouses; but Frieda took no
pains to hide her resentment at the cheapness of the clothing. Many of
her remarks had been absolutely insulting; and now Frances was utterly
disgusted with her, and wished that Pansy troop had taken Ruth Henry's
advice, and let Frieda Hammer stay where she was till the end of her
days.

Just at that moment Mrs. Johnson appeared with a great, warm smile of
welcome on her motherly face. Surely, Frances thought, this would have
melted the hardest heart. She and Miss Phillips both rose at her
entrance; but Frieda sat perfectly still, and gave no indication that
she was aware of the other's presence.

"Stand up, Frieda," commanded Miss Phillips, pleasantly, and the girl
shuffled to her feet, still keeping her eyes fixed on the piano.

"Mrs. Johnson, this is Frieda Hammer. Frieda, you are very lucky to
have such a lovely home, and such a kind, adopted mother! Won't you
shake hands?"

The girl thrust out her hand awkwardly, still avoiding the eyes of the
older woman. "A bad sign"--thought Mrs. Johnson, unconsciously--"she
never seems to look anyone in the eyes."

"I will take you to your room, my dear," she said. "Then you can come
down again and have something to eat!"

This last remark was made with a side glance at Miss Phillips, and a
twinkle in her eye. But for once the latter did not respond; she was so
discouraged and mentally worn-out, that she had completely