one would take us for sisters; even in our cradles we were
dissimilar. Gage was a pattern baby, never cried for anything, and
delighted everyone with her pretty ways; and I was always grabbing at
father's spectacles with my podgy little fingers, and screaming for the
carving-knife or any such incongruous thing. Do you know my first
babyish name for father?'

'I believe it was Daddy Glass-Eyes, was it not?' was the ready response,
for somehow this young man had a strangely retentive memory, and seldom
forgot anything that interested him.

Audrey laughed.

'I had no idea you would have remembered that. How I loved to snatch off
those spectacles! "You can't see me now, Daddy Glass-Eyes," I can hear
myself saying that; "daddy can't see with only two eyes."'

'You were a queer little being even then,' he returned, somewhat dryly.
'But I believe, as usual, we are wandering from our subject. You are a
most erratic talker, Audrey. What made you burst out just now into this
sisterly tirade?'

'Ah, to be sure! I was contrasting myself with Gage; it always amuses
me to do that. It only proceeded from a speech the Countess made this
afternoon'; for in certain naughty moods Audrey would term her elder
sister the Countess. 'She declared half the pleasure of a thing
consisted in preparation and anticipation; but I disagree with her
entirely. I like all my pleasures served up to me hot and
spiced--without any flavour reaching me beforehand. That is why I am so
charmed with the idea of surprise parties and impromptu picnics, and all
that kind of thing.'

Audrey felt as though she were assisting at some such surprise party as
she turned in at the green gate, and relieved Joe of the basket. Mollie
came running round the side of the house to meet her. She had washed her
face, and brushed out her tangled hair and tied it afresh.

'Oh, what have you there?' she asked in some little excitement. 'Miss
Ross, have you really carried all these things? The kettle is boiling,
and I have some clean cups and saucers. Kester has been helping me. I
think mamma is awake, for I heard her open her window just now.'

'What a nice, intelligent face she has!' thought Audrey, as she unpacked
her basket and displayed the hidden dainties before the girl's delighted
eyes. 'I am sure I shall like Mollie. She is not a bit pretty--I daresay
Gage and Michael would call her plain; but she has an honest look in her
brown eyes.' 'Mollie,' speaking aloud, 'if