it when she had hurt any one. Ellen Robinson looked
at her suspiciously, alert for the insult always, but yielded suddenly
and unexpectedly to the girl's loveliness. Was it something in
Leslie's eyes that reminded Ellen of her big brother who used to come
home now and then, and tease her, and bring her lovely gifts? She
watched Leslie a moment wistfully, and then with a sigh turned away.
She wished one of her little girls could look like that.

"Well, I'd better go right home and get supper ready," she said
alertly; and there was a note of almost pleased eagerness in her voice
that she was included in this function of packing and moving that
seemed somehow to have turned into a delightful game in which
weariness and care were forgotten.

"I'll have supper ready to dish up by seven o'clock," she admonished
her astonished sister as she swept past the bedroom where she was at
work putting away blankets and pillows in camphor. "You won't be ready
much before that; but don't you be a minute later, or the supper will
be spoiled."

By which admonition Julia Cloud became aware that Ellen was going to
favor them with some of her famous chicken potpie. She stood still for
a whole minute with a light in her eyes and a smile on her face,
listening to Ellen's retreating footsteps down the stairs; then, as
the Ford set up its churning clatter, she turned back to her task, and
murmured softly, "Poor Ellen!"

The supper passed off very well. Herbert was a trifle gruff and
silent; but it was plain that Allison's stories amused him, for now
and then a half-smile crept into his stolid countenance. Julia Cloud
was so glad that she could have cried. She hated scenes, and she
dreaded being at outs with her relatives. So she ate her chicken
potpie and fresh pumpkin-pie thankfully, and forgot how weary she was.
After supper Leslie sat down at the piano, and rattled off rag-time;
and she and Allison sang song after song, while the children stood
about admiringly, and even Herbert sat by as at a social function and
listened. The atmosphere was really quite clear when at last they
prepared to leave, and Julia Cloud had an inkling that the big blue
car had something to do with it.

"That's some car you've got," said Herbert patronizingly as he held a
lantern for them to get down the steps. "Get it this year? What do you
have to pay for that make now? I'm thinking of getting a new one
myself pretty soon."

Down upon their knees in the lante