ings, and I
have done so. But when it comes to a question, Auntie, of self-respect,
of morality, of _Decency_, then, Auntie, never! On that, there can be no
compromise. Charles-Norton cannot have wings."

"Oh, very well," said Aunt Hester, plainly nettled; "very well, very
well. Then, what are you going to do?"

"Nothing," said Dolly, decidedly. "I will give him up," she said very
firmly. "I will give him up," she repeated grandiloquently. "I will give
him up," she said a third time--and broke out weeping.

"That," said Aunt Hester, "is what is known as the _grand stunt_, and is
rather popular these days. I've seen many try it, and mighty few achieve
it. And you, Dolly"--she rose and stood with a hand upon the shaking
shoulders beneath her--"and you, you little soft Dolly, why, you are
about the last----"

"I shall not lift a finger," interrupted Dolly. "If he, he, he does not
love me, I, I shall, not stoop to hold him!"

"Well," said Aunt Hester, briskly, "I am going now. I----"

"Going!" cried Dolly, desolately.

"I am going," repeated Aunt Hester, firmly. "There is nothing I can do
here. And there're Earl's socks to be looked after (he is just entering
Cambridge, you know), and Ethel's frocks (she's at the High School), and
then there is your uncle--suppose he gets it into _his_ head to sprout
feathers! No, no--I'm going home. _I'm_ willing to be what Nature said I
had to be. _I_ don't take any chances with those new-fangled grand-stunts.
Besides, if you are just going to do nothing, why, then, you can do that
without me."

And setting her bonnet upon her nice gray hair, Aunt Hester picked up her
grip and marched out into the hall.

"Auntie! Auntie!" cried Dolly, running after her.

Aunt Hester stopped at the opened door and turned. She confronted Dolly,
and the will-o'-the-wisp was dancing in the profundities of her deep-set
eyes. A tenderness came into them; she dropped her grip, seized Dolly,
and drew her close.

"Dear little Dolly," she whispered; "you'll do it, don't you fear. You'll
bring back your Charles-Norton, you soft little woman, you; you'll get
him! And now, kiss me good-by. Write to me--when you decide."

The door closed, and leaning against it, Dolly wept a long time. Then
she went within and in a more comfortable position, wept more. She wept
for a whole week. And then, suddenly, one afternoon, she stood up in the
center of the room and began stamping her foot.

"I won't," she said, w