"What a little stupid you are, Hanny!" Jim began, vexed enough. "Why didn't you ask them to walk up our way! And you never said a word! I could have given you an awful shake!" "I--I don't like them." "You don't know anything about them. Ben and I see them half a dozen times a day, and walk to school with them, and they're nice and pretty and have some manners. You're awful country, Hanny!" The little girl began to cry. "Oh, what a baby you are! Well, I s'pose you can't help it! You're only eight, and I'm almost thirteen. And Lily Ludlow's nearly eleven. I suppose you _do_ feel strange among girls so much older." "It isn't that," sobbed the little girl. How could she get courage to tell him? "Oh, Hanny, dear, don't cry." Jim's voice softened--they were nearing home. "See here, I'll ask father to take us to Tompkins Square on Sunday, and you shall paint out of my new box. There! and don't tell any one--don't say a word to Ben." He kissed her and wiped her eyes with the end of her starchy apron. Jim was very coaxing and sweet when he tried. "Joe's here," said Ben. "And he thought the wolves would eat you up if you went too far. He wants to see you." Jim dropped down on the step. Hanny ran through the hall. They were using the back parlor as a sitting-room, and everybody seemed talking at once. Joe held out his arms and the little girl flew to them. Then it came out that Joe had taken one of the prizes for a thesis, and he would shortly be a full fledged M.D. He was so jubilant and the rest were so happy that the little girl forgot all about her discomfort. Jim came rushing in. "Where's the hundred dollars?" he inquired. Joe laughed. "I have not received the money yet. I thought the announcement was enough for one night." "You and Hanny'll be so stuck up there'll be no living with you," said Jim. Hanny glanced up with a smiling face. If she had only looked that way at Lily Ludlow! But even his schoolmate was momentarily distanced by the thought of such a prize. And he remembered later on with much gratification that he could tell her to-morrow. Miss Chrissy Ludlow had been sitting by the front window in her white gown, half expecting a caller. When Lily entered, she inquired if that little thing was the Underhill girl? "Oh, that's the baby," and Lily giggled. "There's a young lady who goes to Rutgers--well, I suppose she isn't quite grown up, for she doesn't wear real-long dresses. And they have another brother in the country--six brothers!" Chrissy sighed. If she only knew some way to get acquainted with the young woman. And all the brothers fairly made one green with envy. "You keep in with them," she advised her sister. "You might as well look up in the world for your friends."