"Please, how do you pronounce p-h-t-h-i-s-i-c?" "Phthisic. Where do you find anything about it, Phebe?" Miss Hulburt felt that she was developing in craftiness. "In my--geography." Miss Hulburt's smile showed that she believed she had caught the young sinner napping. "But my book doesn't have any such word." Isabel raised her hand in support of her friend. "If you please, Miss Hulburt, we're reading in the back part, about the South Sea Islands. It says it's very common there." "Phebe," Isabel whispered, a little later; "what is it?" "What's what?" "P-h-t-h-You know." "I d' know, something to eat, I guess. We had it in spelling, last term, and I happened to think of it. Oh, Isabel!" For the door opened, and the teacher of the room below came into the room. An hour later, Hubert and Theodora sat on the edge of the piazza, discussing a coming entertainment to be given by the pupils of the high school. The piazza came to the side of the driveway, and now they curled up their toes to allow the doctor to pass them, driving his new and favorite horse, Vigil. "What a beauty she is!" Hubert said, as the carriage passed them. "Isn't she? I'm dying to ride her." "Better not," Hubert cautioned her. "She wouldn't stand the things old Prince does, and you wouldn't have any show at all, if you tried to manage her." "I don't believe it," Theodora returned. "Papa said I was a good horsewoman, and I mean to try Vigil, some day. 'Tisn't strength that counts with a horse, anyway; it's gumption." "What'll you take for the word?" Hubert asked lazily. He was lounging in the sun with his hands in his pockets and his back against a pillar, and he felt too comfortable to be inclined for a discussion. "The word's all right." Theodora tossed her book into a chair behind her. "It means exactly what I want. It isn't common sense, nor knowledge, nor reasonableness; it's just gumption and nothing else. It's what Miss Hulburt hasn't," she added, as she glanced up the street. "Here she comes, Hu. How we used to hate her, when we were in her room! Why, she's stopped papa, and he's coming back with her. Babe must be in some fresh scrape." Hubert rose hastily. "That settles it. If she's coming here, I'm off." "Where going?" "I don't know. Over to the Farringtons', maybe, or else to the library." "Teddy," the doctor called; "I wish you'd come and see to Vigil. I haven't any halter, and I sha'n't be long. Miss Hulburt wants to see me about Phebe. Just let the reins lie loose on her back, and she'll be all right." "On Miss Hulburt's back?" Theodora questioned, with a giggle. The doctor laughed, as he stepped out of the low, open buggy, handed the lines to his daughter, and turned to speak to the teacher who stood simpering at his side.