. Here was a new view of the case. Her mother seemed to
think that she had been in danger rather than in mischief.

"Oh," went on Mrs. Maynard, still shuddering, "my precious child, alone
in that great empty building!"

"Why, Mother," said Marjorie, kissing her tears away, "that was just it.
An empty building couldn't hurt me! Do you think I was naughty?"

"Oh, I don't know whether you were naughty, or not; I'm so glad to have
you safe and sound in my arms."

"I'll never do it again, Mother."

"Do it again? Well, I rather think you won't! I shall never leave you
alone again. I felt all the time I oughtn't to go off and leave you
children last night."

"Nonsense, my dear," said Mr. Maynard, "the children must be taught
self-reliance. But we'll talk this matter over some other time.
Marjorie, you'll be late to school if you're not careful. And listen to
me, my child. I don't want you to tell any one of what you did last
evening. It is something that it is better to keep quiet about. Do you
understand? This is a positive command. Don't ask me why, just promise
to say nothing about it to your playmates or any one. No one knows of it
at present, but your mother, Kingdon, and myself. I prefer that no one
else should know. Will you remember this?"

"Yes, Father; can't I just tell Gladys?"

Mr. Maynard smiled.

"Marjorie, you are impossible!" he said. "Now, listen! I said tell _no
one_! Is Gladys any one?"

"Yes, Father, she is."

"Very well, then don't tell her. Tell no one at all. Promise me."

"I promise," said Midget, earnestly, and then she kissed her parents and
ran away to school.

Kingdon had also been bidden not to tell of Marjorie's escapade, and so
it was never heard of outside the family.

When it was time for the spelling-match, Marjorie put away her books,
and sat waiting, with folded arms and a smiling face.

Miss Lawrence was surprised, for the child usually was worried and
anxious in spelling class.

Two captains were chosen, and these two selected the pupils, one by one,
to be their aids.

Marjorie was never chosen until toward the last, for though everybody
loved her, yet her inability to spell was known by all, and she was not
a desirable assistant in a match.

But at last her name was called, and she demurely took her place near
the foot of the line on one side.

Gladys was on the other side, near the head. She was a good speller, and
rarely made a mistake.

Miss Lawrence began to