“Never mind, when I get Bob Harney I’ll pay off old scores,” ’Lina said, laughingly, as she arose from the table and went to look over her wardrobe, having first investigated the weather, and ascertained, from a consultation with Cæsar, that the roads would undoubtedly be passable by noon. Meantime Hugh had returned, meeting in the kitchen with Lulu, who worshipping her young master with a species of adoration, resented any insults offered him far more keenly than his own sister did. “Well, Lu, what is it? What’s happened?” Hugh asked, as he saw she was full of some important matter. In an instant the impetuous Lulu told him of the party to which he was not invited, together with the reason why, and the word she had sent back. “I’ll give ’em a piece of my mind!” she said, as she saw Hugh change color. “She may have old Harney. He’s jes good enough for her! The hateful! His man John, told Claib how his master said he meant to get me and Rocket, too, some day; me for her waiting-maid, I reckon. You won’t sell me, Master Hugh, will you?” and Lulu’s eyes looked pleadingly up to Hugh. “Never!” and Hugh’s riding whip came down upon the table with a force which made Lulu start. Satisfied that she was safe from Ellen Tiffton’s whims, Lulu darted away, while Hugh entered the sitting-room, where ’Lina sat, surrounded by her party finery, and prepared to do the amiable to the utmost. “That really is a handsome little boy upstairs,” she said, as if she supposed it were her mother who came in; then an affected start she added, “Oh, it’s you! I thought ’twas mother. Don’t you think, Ellen has not invited you. Mean, isn’t it?” “Ellen can do as she likes,” Hugh replied, adding, as he guessed the meaning of all that finery, “You surely are not going?” “Why not?” and ’Lina’s black eyes flashed full upon him. “I thought perhaps you would decline for my sake,” he replied. An angry retort trembled on ’Lina’s lip, but she had an object to attain, so she restrained herself and answered that “she had thought of it, but such a course would do no good, and she wanted to go so much, the Tifftons were so exclusive and aristocratic.” Hugh whistled contemptuously, but ’Lina kept her temper, and continued, coaxingly, “Everybody is to be there, and you’d like to have your sister look decent, I know; and really, Hugh, I can’t unless you give me a little money. Do, Hugh, be good for once.” “Ad, I can’t,” and Hugh spoke sorrowfully, for a kind word from ’Lina always touched his weaker side. “I would if I could, but honestly I’ve only twenty-five dollars in the world, and I’ve thought of a new coat. I don’t like to look so shabby. It hurts me worse than it does you,” and Hugh’s voice trembled as he spoke.