ent had one unforeseen consequence, that was rather amusing
than otherwise to Dolly, at first, at least. For, before the doctor was
ready to go, the sound of an automobile engine was heard up on the
bluff, and a minute later Billy Trenwith came racing down the path.

At the sight of Eleanor he paused, looking a little sheepish.

"I heard that Doctor Black was coming here--I was afraid something might
have happened to you," he stammered.

"Why, whatever made you think that?" said Eleanor, honestly puzzled.
Then she turned, surprised again by a burst of hysterical laughter from
Dolly, who, staring at Trenwith's red face, was entirely unable to
contain her mirth. Under Eleanor's steady gaze she managed to control
herself, but then she went off again helplessly as Doctor Black winked
at her very deliberately.

Scandalized and rather indignant as the point of the joke began to reach
her, Eleanor was dismayed to see that Bessie, the grave, was also having
a hard time to keep from laughing outright. So she blushed, which was
the last thing in the world she wanted to do, and then made some excuse
for a hasty flight.

"Well, you people have so many things happen to you all the time," said
Trenwith, indignantly, "that I don't see why it wasn't perfectly natural
for me to come out to see what was wrong now!"

"Oh, don't apologize to me, Mr. Trenwith!" said Dolly, mischievously.
"And--can you keep a secret?"

He looked at her, not knowing whether he ought to laugh or frown, and
Dolly went up to him, put her hands on his shoulders, and raised herself
so that she could whisper in his ear.

"She isn't half as angry as she pretends," she said.

Then Eleanor came back, and Dolly made herself scarce. She had a
positive genius for knowing just how far she could go safely in her
teasing.

"I had to come out here, anyhow," said Trenwith, to Eleanor. "Look here.
I got this message from Charlie Jamieson."

Eleanor took it.

"I don't see why you let Charlie order you around so," she said,
severely. "Haven't you any business of your own to attend to? He hasn't
any right to expect you to waste all your time trying to keep us out of
trouble."

"Oh, it isn't wasted," he said, indignantly. "We're supposed to help our
friends--and we're friends, aren't we?"

"Of course we are," said Eleanor, relenting.

He brightened at once.

"Well," he said, impulsively, "you see Charlie says he doesn't want me
to let you and those two girls--