"Oh!" she gasped. Then she laughed. "I know it's some one I'm anxious to see. Is it Kathleen?" The hands did not relax their pressure. "Is it Laura Atkins?" guessed Grace again. The pressure tightened a little. "I know now," cried Grace. "Why didn't I guess you first of all? It's Patience." The hands fell away from her eyes. Grace wheeled about into a pair of encircling arms. A very tall, fair-haired young woman stood looking down on her with a face full of lively affection. "I wonder if you are as glad to see me as I am to see you, Grace," was her first speech. "Every bit as glad," responded Grace with emphasis. "Emma and I have been looking forward to your coming every day since we came." "Emma?" interrogated Patience. "Do you mean to tell me that Emma Dean is here?" "Yes," replied Grace happily. "She's come back to be Miss Duncan's assistant. Isn't that splendid?" "I've been mourning Emma among the rest of the bright departed spirits," smiled Patience, "and thinking of how dull Wayne Hall will be this year without her. Emma is Emma, you know, and cannot be duplicated, imitated nor replaced. I suppose, as a teacher, she'll live in one of the faculty houses, instead of Wayne Hall." "She is going to have part of my suite at Harlowe House," said Grace. "But, before I say another word, where are you going?" "To Overton Hall to see Miss Wilder." "Can't you put off going until to-morrow morning?" asked Grace. "Yes, if you and Emma will go with me to the six-thirty train to meet Kathleen and then to dinner at Vinton's afterward." "Will we?" cried Grace. "I should say--I'm afraid we can't, Patience." Her jubilant tone changed to one of disappointment. "I forgot all about Mary Reynolds." "Who is Mary Reynolds and what did I ever do to her that causes her to conspire to cheat me of the society of my friends?" inquired Patience humorously. "Not a single thing," assured Grace brightening again. "She's the thirty-second applicant for admission to Harlowe House, but she's living there as my guest for a few days until she finds out whether she 'belongs.' Suppose you walk over there with me. I wish you to see the house before the tenants arrive. I'll tell you the strange story of Mary Reynolds on the way over. Emma's at home, so you can see her, too." "All right, I'll go, provided you and your entire family, including Mary Reynolds, escort me to the train to meet Kathleen." "Here's my hand on it," promised Grace. Patience caught it in both of hers. "It's good to be here, Grace," she said earnestly. "It's good to have you here, Patience," returned Grace, in the same earnest tone. Patience was met at the door by Emma, who had seen their approach from the living-room window, and who now pounced upon Patience and joyfully escorted her into the living-room.