ld think so, indeed," remarked her uncle. "You are a sort of
philanthropist after all."

"Yes, I have a very marked bump. That reminds me, if I don't see Dr.
Prue, you tell her, please, that I am going to take Augustus McAllister
to the Suffrage meeting."

Having returned her robe to its box, Miss Bentley sat down at her desk
and wrote furiously for five minutes, then folded her letter, put it
in the envelope, and addressed, stamped, and sealed it, concluding the
business with a resolute fist. Shortly after, in the familiar grey suit,
with the little grey hat jammed down anyhow on her bright hair, she went
forth, the box containing the sunset cloud under her arm.

Homage and admiration attended upon her within Miss Kitty's humble
establishment, and waited outside in the persons of the adoring pigeons.
Virginia, having been unable to keep the story of the Little Red Chimney
to herself, must now in consequence share her ladyship with the flock.
But certain privileges were hers--to walk next to Miss Bentley and clasp
her disengaged hand; to carry her bag or book; to act as her prime
minister in keeping order.

Thus Miss Bentley went her triumphant way that afternoon, all
unconscious that there was any triumph about it. Not that she was wholly
unaware of her own charm. As she confessed to Uncle Bob, she knew people
liked her, and the knowledge was pleasing. She was now on her way to be
gracious to the Candy Man, and in this connection she had rehearsed a
neat little scene in which she stood by and allowed the children to make
their purchases, and then at the right moment asked easily if there had
been any more accidents on the corner of late, adding something about
his kindness in helping her up, and so on. The Candy Man would of course
touch his cap, for from Virginia's account he was rather a nice Candy
Man, and reply, "Not at all, Miss," or "That's all right"; then she
would smile upon him and the incident would be closed.

The first half of the scene went off perfectly. The Candy Man was
selling taffy to a nurse-maid when they approached, and if he saw who
was coming, and if his heart was in his mouth, and if he felt a wild
longing to escape from the Candy Wagon, he gave no sign. To Margaret
Elizabeth, as they waited, he was a Candy Man in white jacket and cap,
and nothing more.

The pigeons fluttered joyously. Miss Bentley uttered an impersonal good
afternoon, Virginia advanced, a silver quarter in her palm, and