deal to tell when she got home that night. Her mother
wanted all the details of Miss Witherspoon's appearance, and after a
lengthy description, ventured her opinion of the newcomer's laundry
value. "I reckon she don' wear any o' dem crinkly gowns an' chemises dat
you do up yoursel'. Dey matches de folks wid der money bangin' agin der
knees in der petticoat pockets. Did she duck down, dearie, ter git her
purse?"

"No, Mammy," Hertha answered.

"But she'll be de keerful kin', allus 'memberin' ter tak' off a white
skirt if it begin ter rain, an' half de time dryin' her han'chiefs on de
winder-pane. Dat's de kin' as comes here. It takes de hotel folks ter
make a payin' business."

"She's younger than our boarders usually are, anyway," Hertha said. "Not
that she's young but she looks so."

"Everybody looks young these days," Ellen remarked; "or if they don't
they let you know they're trying to."

"Was dere laughin' an' carr'in' on at de table?"

"Yes, a little. Yes, Mammy, I think she's entertaining."

"Dat's good. I hope she 'spectin' ter stay de winter."

"I think not, Mammy. I think she's to leave next month."

"Dat's too bad. Ef I was Miss Patty I'd hab some nice gal or udder heah
all de time ter keep Mister Lee company. If dey don't gib him a good
time he'll up an' leab de family an' de orange an' grapefruit business.
Dere ain't nottin' a boy needs so much as de right kin' ob a lil' gal
ter play wid."

"You're to have Tom's room now, Sister," Ellen said as they started for
bed.

Hertha expostulated. "You need a room to yourself, Ellen, I know you
do."

Ellen knew it too, but she was desirous to give her sister everything
within her power. "No, I'm all right," she said decidedly. "It's all
arranged. Mother and I didn't say anything before because we wanted to
surprise you. You've wanted, I know, to be by yourself, dear; and Tom
would be glad to think you were in his room."

She showed her sister the little things she had done for her comfort,
and with a kiss left her to herself. It had been a long day and the
young girl went at once to bed and fell asleep. But after a little she
awoke and lay for hours in the still heat of the night, living again the
morning's happenings. She went over in her mind, her heart beating fast,
the foolish little game that carried with it so much happiness. He
thought her as beautiful as a goddess; and he had not said it cheaply as
though she were some common, gaily daubed pla