pering after a
coupe, and I came home and left him to go over there and fight it out."

"Well, I declare!" said Agatha. "What remarkable adventures you have!
And I never have anything real nice and dreadful happen to me. But he
might have brought you home."

"It wasn't his fault that he didn't. But give me a little bit of steak,
please; I have got to go back to the Martins'."

"No, you mustn't. Mother, don't you let her."

"I do wish, Phillida," said the mother, "that you wouldn't go down into
the low quarters of the town any more. You're so exposed to disease. And
then you're a young woman. You haven't got your father's endurance. It's
a dreadful risk."

"Well, I'm rather responsible for the child, and then I ought to be
there to protect Mrs. Martin from her husband when he comes home at
noon, and to share the blame with her when he finds his favorite put out
and Charley's doctor in possession."

"So you and Charley are in partnership in saving the boy's life," said
Agatha, "and you've got a regular doctor. That's something like. I can
guess what'll come next."

"Hush, Agatha," said the mother.

Phillida's appetite for beefsteak failed in a moment, and she pushed her
plate back and looked at her sister with vexation.

"If you think there's going to be a new engagement, you're mistaken."

"Think!" said Agatha, with a provoking laugh, "I don't think anything
about it. I know just what's got to happen. You and Charley are just
made for each other, though for my part I should prefer a young man
something like Cousin Philip."

Phillida was silent for a moment, and Mrs. Callender made a protesting
gesture at the impulsive Agatha.

"I don't think you ought to talk about such things when I'm so tired,"
said Phillida, struggling to maintain self-control. "Mr. Millard is a
man used to great popularity and much flattery in society. He would
never stand it in the world; it would hurt him twenty years hence to be
reminded that his wife had been a--well--a fanatic." This was uttered
with a sharp effort of desperation, Phillida grinding a bit of bread to
pieces between thumb and finger the meanwhile. "If he were to offer to
renew the engagement I should refuse. It would be too mortifying to
think of."

Agatha said nothing, and Phillida presently added, "And if you think I
went to the Graydon to renew the acquaintance of Charley,
it's--very--unkind of you, that's all." Phillida could no longer
restrain her tears.

"