with her.
The room was filled with creepy, crawly things. Oh, dear!" She
shuddered, then wiped her eyes, and looked up at him plaintively. "Do
you think I am an awful goose, Uncle William?"

"No, my dear," answered Doctor Raymond with a smile. "Only very
feminine. Few of your sex overcome their prejudice to creeping
creatures unless they become interested in them through science. I was
surprised that Beatrice was not timid."

Bee, entering just then, heard the remark and smiled to herself. She did
not explain that it was because of him that she had overcome her
repugnance to them.

"Bee doesn't mind anything that crawls," exclaimed Adele who had
recovered herself by this time.

"I don't like snakes," declared Bee emphatically.

"You people talk about the most dreadful things," cried Adele. "Do you
know that I wake up nights feeling creepy? If you don't care, Uncle
William, I am going down to Aunt Rachel's while you and Bee study your
old worms. No more science for me, thank you."

"By all means," smiled the naturalist. "You shall be our angel of
charity while Beatrice and I remain true to science. But perhaps you
would prefer to go with Adele, Beatrice?"

"No;" answered Bee eagerly, glad that she was to have him to herself
again. "She won't care if I stay with you, father; and I would rather
be with you."

"I don't mind going alone, Uncle William, if Bee is of any assistance to
you." Adele looked at him with pretty concern. "If she hinders you
though you ought to send her right along with me."

Doctor Raymond was silent so long that Bee was startled.

"Do I hinder you, father?" she asked tremulously. "I did not think of
that. I thought that I was helping. If I am not, if you just have me
here because you think it will please me, say so; and I won't bother you
any more."

"Now, Bee," protested Adele archly, "why do you tease him? Of course he
is much too polite to tell you that you trouble him. I was joking
anyway. Come along, and leave your father in peace."

"Leave the room," commanded Beatrice peremptorily. "I wish to be alone
with my father."

"Upon my word, Bee!" cried Adele, undecided whether she should go or
stay. She stood for a moment, and then, as her uncle did not come to her
rescue, gave a light laugh at her cousin's determined attitude, and left
the room.

"Was not that a little abrupt, my daughter?" asked Doctor Raymond
quietly.

"It was, father," admitted Beatrice contritely. "But thi