The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-16

with one little daughter croucbed up be
side her and the other engaged in softly
rubbing her brows,
4 wish l could go to bed" Camilla
said. i do hate these kind Of family
functions And Agnes loves them"
There was a fretful tone IN her voice.
Poor mummy" said Betty. and. stOop-
ing, she laid her pretty little lips on her
mothers face.
Both children were so happy to be with
her.
"Sit down and tell me all you have been
doing since I saw you" commanded Mrs.
Iancing "How long have you been down
here2 1t seems like century to me-
Have you wanted us very much,
sweetie?" asked Betty, and Camilla turn
ed to kiss the dear little face.
so much-oh, so much" and then she
moved a little impatiently on the couch.
Some one is knocking" she said; 1T
must be Aunty Brenny. Open the door
and bring her in. Betty
She just flashed look at Katherine and
gave a little laugh
Now for my scolding." she said, in a
low voice.
But Mrs. Brenton- did not seold- She
greeted Camilla most gently and affec-
tionately. and was greatly concerned TO
hear about the bad headache
The mere fact, however, that she ig-
nored all mention Of the truant act OF the
night before stung Camilla into h.tle
show Of temper.
Don't. for goodness sake, follow Ru-
peTts lead" she SAID and adopt mar
tyr-like expression. know perfectly
we'll, Agnes. that you were furious with
me because I did not turn up last night,
now, weren't you?'
II was not furious exactly" said Mrs
Brenton, but disappointed, and rather
surprised
I couldn't help it" said Camilla, in
the same impatient way; and then the
color flooded her face and her eyes lit up
for an instant as she smiled
Don't grudge me my few remaining
holidays: / shall not have too many IN
the future. Yes, darliags this 20 Betty
you must go. Katherine wants TO
make you ready for lunch. You are go
ing to put on those pretty new frocks
that I sent down and make yourselves
/ ever so smart. OF course. you shall sit
next TO me at luncheon. What an idea.
Where else would you sit? ! shall have
one Of you on each side OF me-
Mrs Brcnton was speaking as the chill
dren were going out of the room,
so il was an excuse katherine heard
her say. in a strained voice; land Pamela
Bardolph is not ill?'
An excuse. Of course" Mrs. Lancing
answered, with q laugh. II knew they
we're going TO have a really lovely time.
! for one night I really could not resist the
temptation We had such fun, Agnes, and
| finished up with
Miss Granger hurried the children out
4 of the room She always dreaded what
Betty would repeat The child was very
sharp. and her memory was extremely re-
tentiVe
I It was difficult to chat lightly with the
/ children as she dressed them and made
them pretty for the big Christmas Day
/ luncheon.
Katherine had said "Good-by" TO all her
former isolation.
Though she still stood alone. and had
no one on whom she could make a real
claim. her life all at once seemed charged
with ties and privileges; already she had
commenced TO expand, TO weave the ten
drills Of her affections, her sympathy, and
/ her tender thought in and about these
+ people among whom she now lived and
moved.
! She recognized a great debt OF gratitude
/ to Agnes Brenton. but for Camilla she
/ felt something deeper than gratitude
}