the drawing-room
without making any exhibition of himself. The room looked quite clean
and inviting, for Maggie had dusted it with her own hands, and there
was a very nice tea on the board, and Mrs. Howland was dressed very
prettily indeed. Martin gave a long whistle.

"I say, Little-sing," he remarked, "whoever has been and done it?"

"What do you mean, James?" said Mrs. Howland.

"Why, the place," said Martin; "it looks sort of different."

"Oh, it's Maggie," said Mrs. Howland. "She went out and bought all
those cakes for you herself."

"Bless me, now, did she?" said Martin. "She's a smart girl--a _ver_-ry
smart girl."

"She's a very clever girl, James."

"Yes, that's how I put it--very clever. She has a way about her."

"She has, James. Every one thinks so."

"Well, Little-sing, give me a good meal, and then we'll talk."

Mrs. Howland lifted the teapot and was preparing to pour out a cup of
tea for Mr. Martin, when he looked at her, noticed her extreme
elegance and grace, and made a spring toward her.

"You haven't give Bo-peep one kiss yet, you naughty Little-sing."

Mrs. Howland colored as she kissed him. Of course she liked him very
much; but somehow Maggie had brought a new atmosphere into the house.
Even Mrs. Howland felt it.

"Let's eat, let's eat," said Martin. "I never deny myself the good
things of life. That girl knows a thing or two. She's a ver-ry clever
girl."

"She is, James; she is."

"Now, what on earth do you call me James for? Ain't I Bo-peep--ain't
I?"

"Yes, Bo-peep, of course you are."

"And you are Little-sing. You're a wonderfully elegant-looking woman
for your years, Victoria."

CHAPTER XIV.

IN THE PARK.

Mrs. Howland did not like to have her years mentioned. Mr. Martin had
been careful never to do so until Maggie appeared on the scene. On
the contrary, he had dropped hints that his birdling, his Little-sing,
his Victoria, was in the early bloom of youth. But now he said that
she was a wonderful woman for her years.

Mrs. Howland bridled slightly. "I am not old, James," she said.

"Come, come," said the good-natured grocer; "no 'Jamesing' of me. I'm
your Bo-peep. What does it matter whether you are old or young,
Victoria, if you suit me and I suit you? This is a first-rate tea, and
that girl's clever--uncommon clever. By the way, how old may she
happen to be?"

"Sixteen her last birthday," said Mrs. Howland. "I was very, very
young, a mere child, when I