ed sister by storm. Somehow it seemed
to her that they had taken something that belonged to her, and she
began to feel bereft. Julia ought to love her better than these two
young strangers; why didn't she? Why didn't those two children make
such a fuss over her as they did over Julia? It certainly was strange!
Perhaps some gleam of perception that it might all be her own fault
began to filter to Ellen Robinson's consciousness as she stood there
on the stairs and listened to the pleasant chatter.

"O Cloudy, dear! Is this really Daddy's picture when he was a little
boy? What a funny collar and necktie! But wasn't he a darling? I love
the way his hair curls around his face. I can remember Daddy quite
well. Mother used to say he was a wonderful man. I think he must have
been a good deal like you. Our old nurse used to say that families
went in streaks. I guess you and Daddy were off the same streak,
weren't you? I hope Allison and I will be, too. Say, Cloudy, can't I
have this picture of Daddy to hang in my room in our new house? I love
it."

Ellen Robinson wondered whether they had classified her as another
"streak," and somehow the thought was unpleasant. It was like one of
those little rare mirrors that flash us a look now and then in which
we "see oursel's as ithers see us," and are warned to take account of
stock. As she climbed the old stairs, Ellen Robinson took account of
herself, as it were, and resolved to show a better side to these
children than she had shown heretofore; and so, when she appeared
among them, she put aside her grim aspect for a while, and spoke in
quite an affable tone:

"Well, you certainly can work!"

The contrast was so great that both the young people blinked at her in
wonder, and a smile broke out on Leslie's lovely face. Somehow it
warmed Aunt Ellen's heart, and she went on:

"But you all must be tired. You better come up to our house for supper
to-night. You won't have any chance to get it here."

"Oh, we don't mind picnicking," said Leslie hastily. Then she caught a
glimpse of her aunt's face, and her natural kindliness came to the
front. "But of course that would be lovely if it won't be too much
trouble for you," she added pleasantly with one of her brilliant
smiles, although she could see Allison making violent motions and
shaking his head at her from the other room, where he was out of his
Aunt Ellen's sight. Leslie really had a lovely nature, and was always
quick to discern