Audrey stooped down and stroked his glossy head. She always made friends with every animal--she had a large four-footed acquaintance with whom she was on excellent terms--from Jenny, the cobbler's donkey, down to Tim, the little white terrier that belonged to the sweep. She had just lost her own companion and follower, a splendid St. Bernard puppy, and had not yet replaced him. As she fondled the dog, she heard a slight sound near her, and, looking up, met the inquiring gaze of a pair of wide-open brown eyes. They belonged to a girl of fourteen, a slight, thin slip of a girl in a shabby dress that she had outgrown, and thick dark hair tied loosely with a ribbon, and falling in a wavy mass over her shoulders, and a small sallow face, looking at the present moment very shy and uncomfortable. 'If you please,' she began timidly, and twisting her hands awkwardly as she spoke, 'mamma is very tired and has gone to lie down. We only moved in yesterday, and the place is in such a muddle.' 'Of course it is in a muddle,' replied Audrey in her pleasant, easy fashion. 'That is exactly why I called--to see if I could be of any assistance. I am Miss Ross, from the lower school--will you let me come in and speak to you? You are Miss Blake, are you not?' 'Yes; I am Mollie,' returned the girl, reddening and looking still more uncomfortable. 'I am very sorry, Miss Ross--and it is very good of you to call so soon--but there is no place fit to ask you to sit down. Biddy is such a bad manager. She ought to have got things far more comfortable for us, but she is old--and----' 'Miss Mollie, where am I to find the teapot?' called out a voice belonging to some invisible body--a voice with the unmistakable brogue. 'There's the mistress just dying for a cup of tea, and how will I be giving it to her without the teapot? and it may be in any of those dozen hampers--bad luck to it!' 'I am coming, Biddy,' sighed the girl wearily, and the flush of annoyance deepened in her cheek. Somehow, that tired young face, burdened with some secret care, appealed to Audrey's quick sympathies. She put out her hand and gave her a light push as she stood blocking up the entry.