ve been killing a
giant, but I am interested in the process."

"I'm killing the giant by going home," said Judy, standing very erect by
Rivers' table, and pushing back her shady hat from her white forehead.
"I am going home, back to Little Staunton Rectory. I see what you mean,
that it's better--better for Jasper and Hilda, to be without--without
_me_. I pretended not to understand you the other night, but I don't
pretend any longer now; and yesterday evening, when Hilda and I were all
alone, for Jasper had gone away down to Richmond, I--I made up my mind.
Hilda doesn't know anything about it."

"Sit down, Judy," said Rivers. "I cannot tell you how I respect you."

[Illustration: "I'D RATHER STAND, PLEASE." P. 222.]

"I'd rather stand, please," said Judy. "Hilda doesn't know," she
continued, "and she _mustn't_ know until I am safe back at Little
Staunton Rectory. Susan--you know Susan, she's Hilda's parlor-maid;
well, Susan came out with me this morning, and I coaxed her very hard to
take me to Waterloo, but she refused. I don't quite know how to get
there by myself, so now I want to know if you will take me?"

"Certainly I will," said Rivers. "What is more, I'll go with you to the
Rectory. I have nothing special to do to-day, and it will be quite a
pleasure to spend a little time in your company. Do you know anything
about the trains, and what is the name of the station we have to go to?"

Judy named the one nearest to the Rectory.

"You had better sit down for a moment," pursued Rivers. "I have an 'A B
C' here, so I can tell you in a moment which is the best train to take.
Now, what is the matter?"

"Only, Mr. Rivers, Hilda must not know anything--anything about it until
I am safe home. Can this be managed?"

"I have very little doubt that it can. I shall go out now and speak to
Susan and send her away. Thank you, Judy, for coming to me; I would do
anything for you, because you are brave, and I respect and admire all
brave people."

CHAPTER XVIII.

GIANT-KILLER.

And the Prince, seeing that it was of no use to remonstrate,
bowed and retired.

--THE GOLDEN BRANCH.

Susan came home and told her mistress that Judy was spending the day
with Mr. Rivers.

"What an extraordinary thing for the child to do!" said Hilda.

"She said, ma'am, that Mr. Rivers asked her to lunch, and that you knew
about it."

"Yes; but why did she not say something to me when she was going ou