ipped her head gaily to one
side, and stretched an arm to proffer the offending garment. "Here,
motherkins! It's in need of mending."

Mrs. Milo tossed the vestment to the piano. "What has your work--your
accounts and statements and stenography--what have they to do with the
Rector's mending?" she demanded.

"Well, mother, I used to mend for the last minister."

"Oh, my daughter!" mourned Mrs. Milo.

"Ye-e-e-s, mother?"--fearful that the boys were at last discovered.

"Do you mean to say that you see no difference in mending for a single
man? a young man? an utter stranger?"

Sue heaved a sigh of relief. "Mother darling," she protested fondly;
"hardly a stranger."

"We'll not discuss it," said her mother gently; then taking a more
judicial attitude, "Now, I'll speak to those boys."

Long experience had shown Sue Milo that there were times when it was best
to put off the evil moment, since at any juncture something quite
unforeseen--such as an unexpected arrival--might solve her difficulty.
This was such an occasion. So with over-elaborate care, she proceeded to
outline the forthcoming program of the morning. "You see, mother, we're
to rehearse--choir and all. They'll march from the library, right across
here----" She indicated the route of procession.

But long experience had taught Mrs. Milo that procrastination often
robbed her of her best opportunities. She pointed a slender finger to
the carpet in front of her. "The boys," she said more firmly.

One by one, Sue brought them forward--Bobbie in the lead, then the
tow-headed boy; this to conceal the unfortunate state of Ikey and the
war-like Clarence. "Here they are, mother!" she announced gaily. "Here
are our fine little men!"

Neither cheerful air nor kindly adjective served to pacify Mrs. Milo's
anger at sight of the four intruders. Her nostrils swelled. "What are
you doing here?" she questioned, with a mildness contradicted by her
look; "--against my strict orders."

Bobbie, the ever-ready, strove to answer, swallowed, paled, choked, and
turned appealingly to Sue; while the remaining three, with upraised eyes,
beseeched her like dumb things.

"Absolutely necessary, mother," declared Sue. She gave each boy a
reassuring pat. "As I was saying, they march from the library, preceding
the bride----"

But Mrs. Milo was not listening. There was that still white figure in
the bay-window, observing the scene intently. She bestowed a pleasan