this shawl around you; never mind dressing, we have
the house all to ourselves you know."

"Suppose I were to get caught in this ridiculous plight," said Little
Wolf, pushing her feet into her slippers, "I wouldn't have Tom see me
for the world."

"Then run along quickly and make sure," said Mrs. Tinknor, laughingly,
"I think we needn't feel concerned about the gentlemen coming back for
half an hour," she added, as Little Wolf ran on before.

Now the gentlemen had already returned, bringing Edward with them. The
latter, having forstalled them at the boat, met them as he was
hurrying to Little Wolf with the necessary information. On coming in
they unluckily took possession of the very room through which the
ladies would pass in order to reach Mrs. Tinknor's apartment.

Reassured by her hostess, Little Wolf pushed confidently forward,
making bold and decisive charges at the obstructing doors, and in
this manner, made her way directly into the presence of the two young
gentlemen, Mr. Tinknor having gone in search of his wife.

Here she was brought to a sudden stand, but it was only for an
instant, for Little Wolf, like a true womanly general, was skilled in
retreat when caught in rumpled uniform. She turned and darted through
the door which stood accommodatingly open, and although Edward's
suppressed smile, and Tom's uproarious laugh, goaded her on, she
stopped long enough to lock them in, thus cutting off pursuit which
Tom evidently meditated; he having, in consideration of their long and
intimate acquaintance, felt himself warranted in chasing after her,
and was at her heels, when he suddenly found himself a prisoner.

"O Wolf, Wolf, he shouted, pounding upon the door, "the boat, the
boat, she'll leave"--

"When will she leave?" said Little Wolf, stopping short.

"Let me out and I'll tell you, come, be quick, there's no time to be
lost. If you want to go here's Mr. Sherman to take charge of you."

"I can take care of myself," muttered Little Wolf, but, while she
paused she had additional cause for mortification; for Squire Tinknor
had found his way to his wife, and her only refuge was behind Mrs.
Tinknor's flowing skirts. Here she partially screened herself, while
he informed them that the boat would attempt a downward trip in the
course of an hour. "Ha, ha, ha," concluded the Squire, "if sis is bent
on going, she must make haste out of that plight."

By the united efforts of her friends, Little Wolf took pas