With the first glinting of the rising sun’s rays through the slats of the parlor blinds, Stuart gladly arose from his uncomfortable couch and went into the little bathroom to make his morning toilet. When he had finished it, in returning to the parlor he passed by the open door and saw that Mrs. Pole had risen, tidied up her kitchen and got breakfast well under way. He stepped in to tell her about their guest and send her into the parlor to set the room to rights. Then he went downstairs to take the air on the sidewalk. Mrs. Pole passed into the parlor to hoist the window, replenish the fire, and restore the place to order before setting the breakfast table. Her movements awoke the two sleepers in the next room. They arose laughing and talking, dressed themselves quickly and came out into the parlor. Mrs. Pole turned from the window she was just closing to look at the stranger. Palma laughingly introduced the two. “This is our friend, Miss Judith Man, Poley. And, Judy, darling, this is our dear Mrs. Pole, who is like a second mother to me.” The elder woman wiped her clean hands on her clean apron, and then gave the stranger a close clasp and a warm welcome. “Now, Poley, dear, you can go and look after the breakfast, and we will set the table. Miss Judith is quite at home with us, and knows as much about housekeeping as we do,” said Palma brightly. Mrs. Pole made no objection, but left the room. Then Palma—and Judy following her example—began to take the books off the center table and pile them in a corner. Then they folded the table cover and laid it upon them. Palma went to the prettiest little doll’s corner cupboard that ever was seen, opened a drawer in the lower part of it, and took out a white damask cloth which she spread upon the table. Then she handed out the china, piece by piece, which Judy took and arranged on the cloth. “You see, dear, what a little casket we live in,” said Palma when the table was ready and the cupboard closed. “Sure, darlint, ye are a precious jewel yerself, and where would ye be stored but in a casket itself?” demanded Judy. Presently Stuart came up from below and greeted the two young women cordially. Mrs. Pole brought in the breakfast and they sat down to the table. They were scarcely seated when Ran entered, shook hands all around, and took the fourth place at the table, which had been prepared for him. The conversation grew lively. “When shall we see Mike?” inquired Ran at length. “Oh! to-day, I hope,” replied Judy. “Does he know where to find us?” “He didn’t yesterday! No more did we! And he wint with his friends—friends to a chape—cheap boarding-house before the colonel found you out. But sure he will know where we are by this time! The colonel will have told him.” While they were yet speaking in walked the colonel with Mike. All the company arose from the table to receive them.