Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte sat talking with Mrs. Vinton, and farther along, Mrs. Fenton sat with an open book upon her lap, although she was not reading. She often had a book or magazine, but rarely did she read them. She would sit looking off at the distant mountain-range, the white clouds, or the sunny valley over which those clouds cast floating shadows. Did she hear the conversation, or notice what was going on about her? Floretta Paxton said that Mrs. Fenton acted as if she sat there to watch some one; and was Floretta right? Mrs. Fenton's actions certainly seemed strange day after day. She talked little, took slight interest in what was going on about her, and was a mystery to all the other guests. But what, or whom could she be watching? Dorothy and Nancy, returning from their walk, saw the group, and also noticed Mrs. Fenton, who always chose to sit apart from the others. "I'll give my flowers to mamma and Mrs. Vinton," said Dorothy. "And I'll give mine to Aunt Charlotte and to Mrs. Fenton,--if she wants them," said Nancy, hesitating because it was so hard to guess what might, or might not, please Mrs. Fenton. Dorothy ran to show her blossoms to her mamma and to Mrs. Vinton, while Nancy, pausing beside Mrs. Fenton's chair, held forth her pretty bouquet, as she said: "We've just gathered them. Aren't they pretty?" "Lovely, very lovely," said Mrs. Fenton, with more interest than usual. "I remember picking just such flowers; even the long vines I know are like those I used to see when I was a little girl." "Would you enjoy some of these? I'd so like to give them to you," Nancy said, and she was surprised at the quick reply. "I would really prize them, Nancy, and you're a sweet child to give them to me," she said. Quickly Nancy divided the bouquet, and smiled as she laid the pretty things in Mrs. Fenton's lap. "I cannot let them wilt, so I will take them at once to my room," said Mrs. Fenton, and Nancy saw her bend to catch their perfume, as she turned toward the hall. That night, when nearly all the guests had entered the dining-room, Mrs. Fenton came in at the main entrance, and as she sat nearly opposite Mrs. Dainty's party, they noticed that the bodice of her black lace gown was given color by the pretty wildflowers that Nancy had given her. They were the first flowers that she had worn since her arrival. Nancy smiled with pleasure, and Mrs. Fenton, looking across the table, returned the smile. Had the gift of simple wildflowers cheered her? Thus far she had worn only black, but to-night a dull gold slip shimmered through the black lace; and were her eyes brighter? Nancy thought so, and without knowing why, was glad. There was a musicale in the evening, and Mrs. Fenton joined Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte, and seemed to enjoy the conversation, between the numbers of the program.