o to Sylvia's mother. I
should like to call there, any way, and I have no doubt she would know
where Mother Anastasia would be likely to stop."

My under-study shook his head. "Pardon me," he said, "but I do not think
it would be wise to go to Mrs. Raynor. She would be sure to connect her
daughter with your urgent desire to see Mother Anastasia, and she would
not hesitate to question you on the matter. I think I understand her
disposition in regard to you and Miss Raynor, and I am very certain that
when she heard of the typewriting scheme she would instantly put her
foot on it; and if I am not mistaken," he continued, with a noticeable
deference in his tone, "that is the only reason you can give for your
wish to confer with Mother Anastasia."

I strode impatiently up and down the room. "Certainly it is," said I,
"and although it is reason enough, I suppose you are right, and it would
not do to offer it to Mrs. Raynor; and, for the matter of that, Mother
Anastasia may think it a very little thing to take me down to
Washington."

"I had thought of that," said Walkirk, "and that was one reason why I
proposed to go in your stead."

I made no answer to this remark. My mind was filled with annoying
reflections about the unreasonableness of people who insist upon knowing
people's reasons for doing things, and my annoyance was increased by the
conviction, now that I looked more closely into the matter, that the
only reason I could give for hastening after Mother Anastasia in this
way was indeed a very little one.

"Walkirk," I exclaimed, "can't you think of some other reason for my
seeing the Mother Superior without delay?"

"Truly," he replied, smiling, "it is rather difficult. You might offer
to build an annex to the House of Martha, but such a matter could surely
wait until the return of the Mother Superior."

I sniffed, and continued to stride. I must see Mother Anastasia in
Washington, because there I might have a chance of speaking to her
freely, which I could not expect to have anywhere else; and yet how was
I going to explain to her, or to any one else, my desire to speak with
her at all? It might have been difficult to explain this to myself; at
all events, I did not try to do it. Suddenly an idea struck me.

"Annex!" I cried,--"capital!"

"My dear sir," said Walkirk, rising in much agitation, "I hope you do
not think that I seriously proposed your building an annex to"--

"Building!" I interrupted. "Nonsen