“I can’t help it, honey, when that girl goes on as she does!” “Would you have such fears for a boy?” “Lord, no! My nephews, Ralph’s boys, go hunting almost every day and keep the hotel down there at Wolf’s Gap supplied with game; but they are boys.” “Well, and she’s a girl.” “But they know how to take care of themselves.” “And so does she, I have no doubt, a great deal better than they do. I like Philly. I am sure I shall like her very much. Where is she now?” “Oh, gone out with her gun and dogs. What do I tell you? When she isn’t about some mischief she is dreaming of it.” “I am her debtor for a delicious breakfast. I will not hear her blamed. I like Phil better the more I think of her. I admire her all the more for having such a dauntless spirit in such a little, fragile body.” Gloria had scarcely spoken these words when there was a sudden and tumultuous entrance of a girl in a cap, jacket, short skirt, and long boots, with a game-bag slung over her shoulders, a fowling-piece in her hands, and a couple of dogs at her heels. She set her gun down with a ringing clank in the corner, then pulled her game-bag off and threw it on the floor at the feet of the old lady, exclaiming: “There auntie! There’s a treat for your dinner! Eight brace of birds, and all bagged in less than two hours! Say! have you got any fresh meat for Æneas and Dido? Good dogs! Good dogs!” she continued, patting the heads of a fine pointer and a finer retriever. “My dear, don’t you see a lady present?” said the housekeeper, in an admonishing tone. The girl seemed to see the lady for the first time. She fell back a step or two, dropped her chin upon her chest, turned up her eyes shyly, and put her finger in her mouth like a stupid and awkward child in the presence of a stranger. “Mrs. Lindsay, this young person is my naughty niece, Philippa.” “I am glad to see you, Miss Cummings,” said Gloria, who could not help thinking all that awkward shyness was just put on for the fun of the thing. “My name is Phil. I don’t know myself by any other name,” replied the girl, giving her hat a push that cocked it on one side of her curling, salmon-colored hair, and gave an additional air of impishness to the mischievous face beneath. “Then I am even gladder to see you, Phil! Gladder than I should be to see Miss Cummings. I hope we will be friends. Shall we, Phil?” “I don’t know—maybe—I think so—if you don’t begin to put on airs with us,” slowly and condescendingly replied the elf. “I hope I shall do nothing so silly. Why should you suspect me?” “Oh, I know you are our young lady of the manor, and have come with your fine husband, who is a very great man indeed, to take possession of everything! If the ghosts up there will let you. Ah!” said the imp, with a malign leer in her beautiful, long, light blue eyes.