"  Into  the  parlor  to  get  a  book."  He  opened  the
door,  but  his  mother  becl^oned  him  back  mysteriously,
and  he  closed  it  softly.
'^  What  is  it  ?"  he  asked,  wonderingly.  ^^  Who  is
there  ?    Has  Elmira  got  company  ?"

^^  Belinda  Lamb  begun  quizzin'  as  soon  as  she  got
in  here ;  said  she  thought  she  heard  a  man  talkin',  an'
asked  if  it  was  you ;  an'  when  I  said  it  wa'n't,  wanted
to  know  who  it  was.  I  told  her  right  to  her  face  it
was  none  of  her  business."

"  Who  is  it  in  there,  mother  ?"  asked  Jerome.
**It  ain't  anybody  to  make  any  fuss  about."

"Who  is  it  in  there  with  Elmira  ?"


"It's  Lawrence  Prescott,  that's  who  it  is,"  replied
ilia  mother,  who  was  more  wary  in  defence  than  at-
tack, yet  defiant  enough  when  the  straggle  came.
She  looked  at  Jerome  with  unflinching  eyeK.
"  Lawrence  Preacott  I"

"  Yea,  what  of  it  ?"

"Mother,  ho  isn't  going  to  pay  attention  to
EIraira  I"

"Why  not,  if  he  wants  to  ?  Ho'a  as  likely  a  young
fellow  as  there  is  in  town.  She  won't  be  likely  to  do
any  better."

Jerome  stared  at  hia  mother  in  ntter  bewilderment.
"  Mother,  are  you  out  of  yonr  senses  ?"  ho  gasped.
"  I  don't  know  why  I  am,"  said  she.
