"But!" cried Kitty, again, as after promising gratefully to think it over, she took her way to Cheeseman's, "the dear, kind, darling things! Nobody seems to realize that I have come home, to my own house!" CHAPTER VI JOHANNA EX MACHINA Kitty had her dinner alone, for Nelly Chanter's school was at some distance. "Besides," said Sarepta, "I only asked her to come for breakfast and supper and nights. You'd want _some_ time to yourself, I told her." Sarepta stood in the doorway, her hands folded in her apron, while Kitty ate her excellent little dinner soberly and thoughtfully. She had no idea of slighting Sarepta's cookery; she had a good appetite, and even if she hadn't, there must be no hurting of feelings. "Sarepta!" "Well!" "The pudding is delicious, Sarepta! And--they all want me to come and live with them!" "H'm!" Sarepta's sniff was eloquent. Kitty went on, crumbling her bread thoughtfully: "Madam Flynt, Judge Peters, the Miss Bygoods, the Chanters----" She smiled, still hearing the affectionate shouts and shrieks of that friendly circle, still seeing the dining-room where she had found them all, Mrs. Chanter ladling out chowder, beaming on her clamorous brood, Mr. Chanter with half an eye on his plate, and one and a half on the dog's-eared Thucydides beside him. How affectionate they were; what good friends! "And Mr. Mallow wants me to keep house for him, Sarepta; think of it! Why, he has always said he wouldn't have any woman gormineering over him; ever since I can remember he has said that. And now he thinks he would be as comfortable as old Tilley if I would come and be his lady housekeeper! Who was old Tilley, Sarepta?" "Some other old fool, I expect!" Sarepta was very grim. "If you asked me, I should say Marsh Mallow was a little wantin'. The idea!" "The funny thing is, none of them seems to realize that I have a home of my own! Isn't it funny, Sarepta? So dear and kind, every one of them--why, I am so full of gratefulness I couldn't hold any more!--but how _can_ they think I would leave my own dear darling home?" Sarepta Darwin drew a long breath, and blinked fiercely. If it had been any one but Sarepta, one would have said there were tears in those pale blue eyes, but of course Sarepta never shed tears. "Then you calc'late to stay on here!" she spoke dryly, but there was something in her tone that made Kitty look up quickly. "Why, Sarepta, of course I do! What else should I do! Don't be a goose, Sarepta dear!" She got up and gave Sarepta a little hug: she might as well have hugged the door for all outward response, but that did not matter. "Who--_what_ is that, Sarepta?" she demanded, as a figure came up the path. "It looks like a postman!" "Is! we've had d'liv'ry for a year past!" There was exultation in Sarepta's voice. Next to the well-being of Ross House and its inmates, she lived for the greater glory of Cyrus. "Why, it's Bingo!"