jump at conclusions sometimes."

Nan sank back among her cushions not half satisfied. "Dr. Pardee lives
near, too. Just as near as Dr. Milbank does," she persisted.

The governess made no response, and just then Delia came staggering in
under the weight of a huge brass tray which she bore in her arms.

Miss Blake jumped to her feet. "We're going to have a dinner-party up
here to-night, Nan," she said. "Won't it be fun?" and she set to work
unfolding a strange foreign-looking stand that Nan had never seen
before and upon which Delia carefully placed the tray.

"Why, what a dandy little table it makes!" exclaimed Nan, admiringly.
"Where did it come from?"

"I brought it from London, but it was made in India," explained Miss
Blake.

Nan's eyes softened. "Where papa is!" she murmured softly to herself.
"You have lots of nice things," she added, after a moment. "These
pillows are downright daisies. I s'pose they belong to you."

The governess served her with soup. "They are yours whenever you care
to use them," she returned in her quiet way.

"It's jolly having dinner up here," said Nan, not quite knowing how to
respond to such a generous offer.

"Yes, isn't it?" assented the governess.

"Mrs. Newton don't use her basement for a dining-room, and neither does
Mr. Turner. I wish we didn't. I think it would be perfectly fine if
we could have ours up here, too."

"Why couldn't you?"

The girl leaned forward with a look of real interest in her face.

"Do you think we might?" she asked eagerly.

"I don't see why not. The books might be shifted to the other room.
This might be re--well, re-arranged, and I'm sure it would make a
charming dining-room."

"But that ugly old glass extension back there!" protested Nan in
disgust. "Who wants to look at a lot of old trunks and broken-up
things when one is eating? If we could only pull it down."

Miss Blake considered a moment.

"Why not take all the old trunks and broken-up things out entirely and
make a conservatory of it. It faces the south. Plants would grow
beautifully there."

Nan clapped her hands. "Why, that's perfectly splendiferous," she
cried. "I never should have thought of it. I say, Miss Blake, let's
do it right away, will you? I love flowers."

"Would you take care of them?" demanded the governess with a thoughtful
look.

"Uh-huh!" nodded Nan, heartily. "I guess I would!"

"Very well, then," returned Miss Blake encouragingly, "I'