a little behind. "I could do it myself, but I don't think I can explain
it."

Charlotte, by a movement of her elbows, corrected the laxity that had
come from her companion's touch. "Well, some day you must do it for me.
It does n't matter now. Indeed, I don't think it matters," she added,
"how one looks behind."

"I should say it mattered more," said Gertrude. "Then you don't know who
may be observing you. You are not on your guard. You can't try to look
pretty."

Charlotte received this declaration with extreme gravity. "I don't think
one should ever try to look pretty," she rejoined, earnestly.

Her companion was silent. Then she said, "Well, perhaps it 's not of
much use."

Charlotte looked at her a little, and then kissed her. "I hope you will
be better when we come back."

"My dear sister, I am very well!" said Gertrude.

Charlotte went down the large brick walk to the garden gate; her
companion strolled slowly toward the house. At the gate Charlotte met a
young man, who was coming in--a tall, fair young man, wearing a high hat
and a pair of thread gloves. He was handsome, but rather too stout. He
had a pleasant smile. "Oh, Mr. Brand!" exclaimed the young lady.

"I came to see whether your sister was not going to church," said the