"
"Hm-m," murmured Edgar. "Well, I'm glad to see you're--rested."
Julia met them in the hall of the beautiful Brookline residence. Lined
up with her were the four younger children, who lived at home. They made
an imposing array, and Jane was visibly affected.
"Oh, it's so good of you--to meet me--like this!" she faltered.
"Why, we wished to, I'm sure," returned Mrs. Pendergast, with a half-
stifled sigh. "I hope I understand my duty to my guest and my sister-in-
law sufficiently to know what is her due. I did not allow anything--not
even my committee meeting to-day--to interfere with this call for duty
at home."
Jane fell back. All the glow fled from her face.
"Oh, then you did stay at home--and for me! I'm so sorry," she
stammered.
But Mrs. Pendergast raised a deprecatory hand.
"Say no more. It was nothing. Now come, let me show you to your room.
I've given you Ella's room, and put Ella in Tom's, and Tom in Bert's,
and moved Bert upstairs to the little room over--"
"Oh, don't!" interrupted Jane, in quick distress. "I don't want to put
people out so! Let me go upstairs." Mrs. Pendergast frowned and sighed.
She had the air of one whose kindest efforts are misunderstood.
"My dear Jane, I am sorry, but I shall have to ask you to be as
satisfied as you can be with the arrangements I am able to make for you.
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