"Not for long, Nan. Say a couple of weeks." It was Neighbour Tomlin who spoke, as he came out of the library. "Oh, for longer than that," protested Margaret. "You must remember that I am getting old, child," he said very solemnly. "So am I, sir," she said archly. "I am quite as old as you are, I think." "This is the first quarrel," Nan declared, "and who knows how it will all end? You are to come and stay as long as you please, and then after that, you are to stay as long as I please." "I declare, Nan, you talk like an old woman!" exclaimed Miss Fanny; whereupon Nan laughed and said she had to be serious sometimes. And so it was arranged that Margaret was to stay with Nan for an indefinite period. "I hope you will come to see me occasionally, Mr. Tomlin, and you too, Aunt Fanny," she said with mock formality. "We shall have days for receiving company, just as the fine ladies do in the cities; and you'll have to send in your cards." The two young women refused to go in the carriage. "It is so small and stuffy," said Margaret to Neighbour Tomlin, "and to-day I want to be in the fresh air. If you please, sir, don't look at me like that, or I can never go." She went close to him. "Oh, is it all true? Is it really and truly true, or is it a dream?" "It is true," he said, kissing her. "It is a dream, but it is my dream come true." "I didn't think," she said, as she went along with Nan, "that the world was as beautiful as it seems to be to-day." "Mr. Sanders says," replied Nan, "that it is the most comfortable world he has ever found; but somehow--well, you know we can't all be happy the same way at the same time." "Your day is still to come," said Margaret, "and when it does, I want to be there." "You say that," remarked Nan, "but you know you would have felt better if you hadn't had so much company. For a wonder Tasma Tid wouldn't go in the house with me. She said something was happening in there. Now, how did she know?" Tasma Tid had joined them as they came through the gate, and now Nan turned to her with the question. "Huh! we know dem trouble w'en we see um. Dee ain't no trouble now. She done gone--dem trouble. But yan' come mo'." She pointed to Miss Polly Gaither, who came toddling along with her work-bag and her turkey-tail fan.