When he returned to the shop, the world seemed brighter, the mist of doubt
had lifted.

"The rough places can't last always," he told himself as he sandpapered
the claw toes of the sofa. "We are certain to come to a turn in the lane
after a while. There's good in everything, somewhere."

Perhaps the coming of Mr. Pat's little girl was a good omen. To him at
least it was a most interesting event, nor was he the only person in
Friendship who found it so.




CHAPTER FOURTH.

AN UNQUIET MORNING.

"You amaze me, ladies."


Farther up the street on the other side, but within sight of the
Whittredges', was Mrs. Graham's Boarding and Day School for Young Ladies.

The broad, one story and a half mansion, with rooms enough for a small
hotel, was still known as the Bishop place, although nearly twenty years
had passed since the little brown and white house on Church Street had
opened its doors to Miss Betty and her invalid father, and to such of the
massive furniture as could be accommodated within its walls. In her
circular Mrs. Graham was careful to state that her school was commodiously