Clarice, still hysterical, only sobbed and was quite incoherent in her explanation. Hope looked stern, as though facing an unpleasant problem which baffled her for the time. Louisa had entered the room and stood quietly to one side, looking in much surprise from one to the other. For a moment Mrs. Van Rensselaer's sobs ceased. The German girl touched Hope gently upon the shoulder. "I tink it vas King Solomon," she said. "Why, that was just it," said Hope. "You must have seen King Solomon, Clarice. It was only King Solomon; don't be afraid. I thought we had the hole well plugged up, but he must have made another one." "You forget," interrupted Louisa, laughing softly. "Oh, that's so!" exclaimed Hope. "We took the soap out and used it this morning because we didn't have any other." "And who's King Solomon, and what's that to do with soap?" demanded Clarice, raising herself upon her elbow to the edge of the bed with a faint show of interest. "King Solomon," explained Hope soberly, "is a friend who comes to visit us occasionally, and generally packs off what happens to be in sight. We named him King Solomon--not because of his solemn demeanor, but for reason of his taking ways, and propensity toward feminine apparel." "What are you talking about, Hope? I do believe this terrible place has gone to your head! What makes all the noise in that other room?" Mrs. Van Rensselaer seemed extremely nervous. "That's the men coming in to their supper," replied Hope. "I think you must have been nervous before you saw the rat. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you came, Clarice!" "And so that horrible thing I saw was a rat!" "Yes, just a common everyday wood-rat, for obvious reasons sometimes called a pack-rat. But how did you happen to come up here, Clarice?" "If I had known how far it was, and what a dreadful place I should find, I am afraid my great desire to see you couldn't have induced me to attempt it. How _can_ you stay here? I wish you'd go home, Hope!" "Is that what you came to tell me?" asked the girl quietly. "If so, you might just as well get on your horse and go back. I wrote you not to come. You might have taken my advice--it would have been a heap better. You're not cut out for this sort of place. I don't know what in the world I'm going to do with you to-night! I'll send you back to-morrow, that's one thing sure. One of us will have to sleep on the floor, or else we'll be obliged to sleep three in a bed." "Oh, I'll make me a bed on the floor," offered Louisa quickly. "You won't do anything of the kind--the idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Van Rensselaer, aghast. "Supposing that thing--that _rat_ should come!" "We'll put the soap back in the hole again," replied Hope. "And King Solomon will have to keep out. Before Louisa came I used to let him come in just for company's sake, but the poor fellow is a hopeless case. Clarice, I wish you hadn't come!"