never heard the story. “Well, she wan’t one to talk about herself, she wan’t. Always interested in you and sort of forgot herself like.” Kate nodded at that. Evidently Julia did know her mother. “And you say she’s perfectly well? We’ll all be grateful for that.” Aunt Katherine’s voice came up to them from the hall at this point. She was talking to Elsie. As quickly as she had appeared, Julia whisked about and was out of the door through which she had come. But quick as a wink, and almost as if by magic, before she vanished she had produced from somewhere a gingerbread man and pushed it into Kate’s hand. Kate looked at the gift, amused, when Julia was gone. “She couldn’t have realized how old I am,” she thought, smiling. “She thinks I’m just Mother’s ‘child.’” Up in her room she hid it under her pillow. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * It was pleasant speeding along with her aunt toward Boston, creating their own breeze as they went through the hot July afternoon. “Now tell me, Kate,” Aunt Katherine questioned her abruptly as soon as they were on their way. “Are you and Elsie getting on well? Are you becoming friends?” This was difficult for Kate. She hesitated. “I don’t think Elsie likes me,” she said finally. “She tries to be—polite, I think.” “Not like you? Nonsense! How could she help liking you?” Kate laughed. “I suppose you can’t like everybody,” she said modestly. “But Elsie doesn’t seem to like very many people. That boy and girl next door—she doesn’t play with them.” “Oh, Rose and Jack Denton. You know the reason for the coldness there, of course. But you are quite different.” “No, I don’t know the reason. Why hasn’t she friends here? I don’t know anything. She hasn’t explained at all.” Aunt Katherine showed real surprise. “Do you mean your mother hasn’t told you why things are difficult for Elsie? Is she as ashamed as that? Well, she feels even more strongly than I had suspected then.” Bitterness and sorrow had settled on Aunt Katherine’s features. “I don’t think
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