cy."

"Why, Aunt Hannah, what do you mean?" Bertram's voice was not quite
pleased.

"Oh, she'll tell you. It's only that the Greggorys have turned out to be
old friends of Mr. Arkwright's."

"_Friends_ of Arkwright's!" Bertram's voice was decidedly displeased
now.

"Yes; and there's quite a story to it all, as well. Billy is wildly
excited, as you'd know she would be. You'll hear all about it to-night,
of course."

"Yes, of course," echoed Bertram. But there was no ring of enthusiasm in
his voice, neither then, nor when he said good-by a moment later.

Billy, meanwhile, on her way to the Greggory home, was, as Aunt Hannah
had said, "wildly excited." It seemed so strange and wonderful and
delightful--the whole affair: that she should have found them because
of a Lowestoft teapot, that Arkwright should know them, and that there
should be the chance now that she might help them--in some way; though
this last, she knew, could be accomplished only through the exercise of
the greatest tact and delicacy. She had not forgotten that Arkwright had
told her of their hatred of pity.

In the sober second thought of the morning, Billy was not sure now of a
possible romance in connection with Arkwright and the daughter, Alice;
but she had by no means abandoned the idea, and she meant to keep
her eyes open--and if there should be a chance to bring such a thing
about--! Meanwhile, of course, she should not mention the matter, even
to Bertram.

Just what would be her method of procedure this first morning, Billy had
not determined. The pretty potted azalea in her hand would be excuse for
her entrance into the room. After that, circumstances must decide for
themselves.

Mrs. Greggory was found to be alone at home as before, and Billy was
glad. She would rather begin with one than two, she thought. The little
woman greeted her cordially, gave misty-eyed thanks for the beautiful
plant, and also for Billy's kind thoughtfulness Friday afternoon. From
that she was very skilfully led to talk more of the daughter; and
soon Billy was getting just the information she wanted--information
concerning the character, aims, and daily life of Alice Greggory.

"You see, we have some money--a very little," explained Mrs.
Greggory, after a time; "though to get it we have had to sell all our
treasures--but the Lowestoft," with a quick glance into Billy's
eyes. "We need not, perhaps, live in quite so poor a place; but we
prefer--just now--to spe