Burns exclaimed with pleasure over the presentment of a little old lady, knitting before a fire, a faint smile on her face, as if she were thinking of lovely things as she worked. As in the other picture the shadows were soft and hazy, only the surfaces touched by the fireglow showing with distinctness, the whole effect almost illusive, yet giving more of the human touch than any clear and distinct details could possibly have done. "That is Granny," said Miss Ruston, a gentle note in her eager voice. "My little piece of priceless porcelain which I guard with all the defences at my command. Tell me, Dr. Burns, I shall not be bringing her into any danger if I put her in the little old house, when it is made right?" "If you are thinking of bringing _this_ old lady here," said he, emphatically, his eyes on the picture again, "you must let me look the place over thoroughly for you first." "But I've engaged it!" cried his wife's friend, in dismay. "That doesn't matter. You will call it all off again, if I don't find the place can be made fit," said he. "Old ladies like this shall not be risked in doubtful places, no matter how quaint and artistic the background, not while I am on hand to prevent." Miss Ruston looked at Mrs. Burns. "_Is_ this what he is like?" said she, in dismay. "I didn't reckon with him!" "You will have to reckon with me now," said Red Pepper Burns, with coolness. "But the owner says it can be made perfectly tight. And I have to go back to-night!" "The owner of a sieve would say it could be made perfectly tight--if it was wanted for a dishpan. And you are at liberty to go back to-night--much as we shall dislike to lose you. I will take time to go over, right now, and make sure of this thing for you." He rose as he spoke. "Well, of all the positive gentlemen! Will you stay to look at one more? It may soften that austere mood." Miss Ruston gave him a third print. It was of a very beautiful woman standing beside a window, the attitude apparently unstudied, the lighting unusual and picturesque, the whole effect challenging all conventional laws of photography. "It's very nice--very nice," said Burns, indifferently. "But it's not in it with the old lady by the fire. I'll run across and make sure of her quarters, if you please." "That will be wonderfully good of you," and the guest looked after her host, dubiously, as he went out. "Does one have to do everything he says, in these parts?" she inquired, glancing from Mrs. Burns to Miss Mathewson, both of whom were smiling. Her own expression was an odd mixture of interest and rebellion. Miss Mathewson spoke first. "I have been his surgical assistant for more than nine years," said she. "When I have ventured to depart from the line he laid out for me I have--been very sorry, afterward." "Did you ever venture to depart very far?" "Do I look so meek?" "You don't look meek at all, but you do look--conscientious." Miss Ruston gave her a daring look.