And, with true Irish ingenuity, Betty concluded to go straight to him. She took a cab at the Boston station, and her calm dignity seemed to forbid any surprise on the part of the cabman, and she gave the address of Mr. Irving’s business office. Paying the cabman and dismissing him, she went straight to her grandfather’s private room and walked in. “Well, I’ve come home, Grandfather,” she announced cheerfully. “Bless my soul! Betty, is that you? What are _you_ doing here? Are you ill?” “No, indeed,” and Betty’s spirits rose at the sight of the dear, familiar face. She threw her arms around his neck, and said: “Oh, Grandfather, _you’ll_ help me out, won’t you? I _couldn’t_ stay there! Their manners are _awful_! And they thought I mocked at the lady, but I didn’t. And I know Grandmother won’t like my coming home, but I just _had_ to! So you fix it up with her, won’t you? And what do you think? I haven’t had a scrap of breakfast, and I just couldn’t eat my dinner last night, so I’m fearfully hungry.” “Bless my soul!” exclaimed Mr. Irving again. “Why, you poor child! Wouldn’t they give you any breakfast?” “Oh, you don’t understand! I came away before anybody was up. I took the 7.45 from Hillside station, and, you see, coming off suddenly as I did, I—I couldn’t stop for breakfast. Why, Grandfather, I—I _ran away_!” “You little rascal! I haven’t the heart to blame you. But, as you suspect, your grandmother won’t be glad! Betty, you’re a caution! Did you have any money with you?” “Yes, but a girl borrowed twenty dollars last night, so I didn’t have much to spare!” Mr. Irving shook with laughter. “Oh, Betty, to think of a young lady at a finishing-school borrowing from a little unfledged pigeon like you! Well, that ought to trouble your grandmother! But come on, you blessed baby; let’s go and get some breakfast at the nearest restaurant, and then go home to break the news to your relatives! Yes, Betty, your old grandfather’ll stand by you for a plucky little martyr.” “I thought you would,” said Betty, tucking her little hand in his arm, as they started out together. IV AN ACCEPTABLE VALENTINE The McGuires had lived for more than a month in their pleasant home on Commonwealth Avenue, and Betty had begun to feel at home there. The house was only rented for the winter, and Denniston Hall was temporarily closed until the summer-time, when they expected to go back there. The whole arrangement had been made in order that Betty might attend school in Boston, and she was a day-pupil in Miss Whittier’s school for girls, which was quite near her home. The school was very much to Betty’s liking. She had started in under very pleasant auspices, as she had become acquainted with two or three of the girls before she went. She soon made friends with the others, and, as school hours lasted only from nine o’clock till one, she had the advantage of being most of the time in her own home.