now that the guests had begun to arrive. "And so ye're home for good and all, lassie?" 

 "Yes—isn't it lovely?" 

 "Lovely? That's no name for it. You'll be settin' the young fellers crazy 'bout here before they're a week older. Here come two of 'em now." 

 Lucy turned her head quickly, just as the doctor and Barton Holt reached the door of the drawing-room. The elder of the two, Doctor John, greeted Jane as if she had been a duchess, bowing low as he approached her, his eyes drinking in her every movement; then, after a few words, remembering the occasion as being one in honor of Lucy, he walked slowly toward the young girl. 

 "Why, Lucy, it's so delightful to get you back!" he cried, shaking her hand warmly. "And you are looking so well. Poor Martha has been on pins and needles waiting for you. I told her just how it would be—that she'd lose her little girl—and she has," and he glanced at her admiringly. "What did she say when she saw you?" 

 "Oh, the silly old thing began to cry, just as they all do. Have you seen her dog?" 

 The answer jarred on the doctor, although he excused her in his heart on the ground of her youth and her desire to appear at ease in talking to him. 

 "Do you mean Meg?" he asked, scanning her face the closer. 

 "I don't know what she calls him—but he's the ugliest little beast I ever saw." 

 "Yes—but so amusing. I never get tired of watching him. What is left of him is the funniest thing alive. He's better than he looks, though. He and Rex have great times together." 

 "I wish you would take him, then. I told Martha this morning that he mustn't poke his nose into my room, and he won't. He's a perfect fright." 

 "But the dear old woman loves him," he protested with a tender tone in his voice, his eyes fixed on Lucy. 

 He had looked into the faces of too many young girls in his professional career not to know something of what lay at the bottom of their natures. What he saw now came as a distinct surprise. 

 "I don't care if she does," she retorted; "no, I don't," and she knit her brow and shook her pretty head as she laughed. 

 While they stood talking Bart Holt, 

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