nted to cry, Mother," said she. "Perhaps you
didn't hear the whistle; school's out. We've been waiting ever so long.
Mother, I know you said you hoped Heaven would not send any more dogs
our way for a long while, but Jo and Jeanette and I found one by the
school fence. Mother, you will say it has the most pathetic face you
ever saw when you see it. Its ear was bloody, and it licked Jo's hand
so GENTLY, and it's such a lit-tul dog! Jo has it wrapped up in her
coat. Mother, may we have it? Please, PLEASE--"

Barry wheeled about with his hearty laugh, and Mrs. Burgoyne, laughing
too, stopped the eager little mouth with a kiss.

"It sounds as if we must certainly have him, Baby!" said she.

CHAPTER VIII

The new mistress of the Hall, in her vigorous young interest in all
things, included naturally a keen enjoyment of the village love
affairs, she liked to hear the histories of the old families all about,
she wanted to know the occupants of every shabby old surrey that drew
up at the post-office while the mail was being "sorted." But if the
conversation turned to mere idle talk and speculation, she was
conspicuously silent. And upon an occasion when Mrs. Adams casually
referred to a favorite little piece of scandal, Mrs. Burgoyne gave the
conversation a sudden twist that, as Mrs. White, who was present, said
later, "made you afraid to call your soul your own."

"Do you tell me that that pretty little Thorne girl is actually meeting
this young man, whoever he is, while her mother thinks she is taking a
music lesson?" demanded Mrs. Burgoyne, suddenly entering into the
conversation. "There's nothing against him, I suppose? She COULD see
him at home."

"Oh, no, he's a nice enough little fellow," Mrs. White said, "but she's
a silly little thing, and I imagine her people are very severe with
her; she never goes to dances or seems to have any fun."

"I wonder if we couldn't go see the mother, and hint that there is
beginning to be a little talk about Katherine," mused Mrs. Burgoyne.
"Don't you think so, Mrs. Adams?"

"Oh, my goodness!" Mrs. Adams said nervously, "I don't KNOW anything
about it! I wouldn't for the world--I never dreamed--one would hate to
start trouble--Mr. Adams is very fond of the Thornes--"

"But we ought to save her if we can, we married women who know how
mischievous that sort of thing is," Mrs. Burgoyne urged.

"Why, probably they've not met but once or twice!" Mrs. White said,
annoyed, but w