course she would be sorry," persisted Candace. "Of course she would
rather that you had never got into this scrape. But she is so just
always, as well as kind. She always sees both sides. She will understand
how it began,--that Berry over-persuaded you--"

"What makes you say that?" interrupted Georgie. "I never told you that
Berry over-persuaded me."

"No; but I knew it all the same. It's a matter of course," said
Candace, too deeply in earnest to pick her words, or realize what a very
uncomplimentary thing she was saying, "Berry Joy always makes you do
whatever she likes. Cousin Kate will realize how it was in a minute."

"Well, never mind that. I want to talk about mamma. Don't you see that
if I did tell her she couldn't do anything unless she told papa? and
that is the very thing I want to prevent. Oh, what was that?" as the
clock began to strike. "Six! They will be here in ten minutes. Oh, dear!
how can I meet her? My eyes are swelled out of my head. She will be sure
to notice." And Georgie hurried to the looking-glass, and began to
smooth the tangled fluffs of hair on her forehead.

Cannie's heart was hot within her, but she wisely forbore further
remonstrance. She brought a basin of water and a sponge, and helped
Georgie to bathe and cool her tear-stained face, and to arrange her
dishevelled locks. Then she kissed her softly, and moved across the
room to the window. Georgie stole after her, and stood by her side. It
was nearly time for the travellers to arrive from the train. A cool
sea-wind was stirring. Through the trees a red glow could be seen in the
west, where the sun was nearing the horizon.

There was a sound of wheels, and the Frewens' village-cart drove rapidly
in and set Marian down on the porch. As it drove away, another carriage
met and passed it at the gate. It was the coupe, and Mrs. Gray and
Gertrude were inside. With a shriek of joy Marian shot down the gravel
walk to meet them. John stopped his horses, Mrs. Gray jumped out, and
Marian sprang into her arms. The lookers-on at the window above could
see the whole pretty picture,--the lovely sunny-faced mother, the glad
child; they could hear Mrs. Gray's sweet laugh as she bent over and
kissed Marian again and again.

"Oh, Georgie, Georgie," cried Candace, her eyes suddenly brimming over
with tears, "look at that, look at them! Was there ever any one so
sweet and loving and dear as Cousin Kate? See how she holds Marian in
her arms, how she ki