"Well," said Ralph, "those rolls are made up so prettily, and look so tempting, that I wish I had not finished my supper." "You are right," said the doctor, "they are aesthetic enough for La Fleur," and then pushing back his chair a little, he looked steadfastly, with a slight smile on his face, at the figure, with bowed sunbonnet, which was standing on the other side of the table. "Well, young woman," he said, "how is your mind by this time?" For a moment there was silence, and then from out of the sunbonnet there came, clearly and distinctly, the words:-- "That is very well. How is your kitten?" At this interchange of remarks, Ralph sat up straight in his chair, amazement in his countenance, while Miriam, ready to burst into a roar of laughter, waited convulsively to see what would happen next. Turning suddenly toward Ralph, Dora tore off her sunbonnet and dashed it to the floor. Standing there with her dishevelled hair, her flushed cheeks, her sparkling eyes and her quaint gown, Ralph thought her the most beautiful creature he had ever gazed upon. "How do you do, Mr. Haverley?" said Dora, advancing and extending her hand; "I know you are not willing to eat with cooks, but I do not believe you will object to shaking hands with one, now and then." Ralph arose, and took her hand, but she gave him no opportunity to say anything. "Your sister and I got up this little bit of deception for you, Mr. Haverley," she continued, "and we intended to carry it on a good deal further, but that gentleman has spoiled it all, and I want you to know that I stopped here to see your sister, and finding she had not a soul to help her, I would not leave her in such a plight, and we had a royal good time, getting the supper, and were going to do ever so many more things--I should like to know, doctor, how you knew me. I am sure I did not look a bit like myself." "You did not look like yourself, but you walked like yourself," replied Dr. Tolbridge. "I watched you when you first tried to toddle alone, and I have seen you nearly every day since, and I know your way of stepping about as well as I know anything. But I must really apologize for having spoiled the fun. I discovered you, Dora, before we had half finished supper, but I thought the trick was being played on me alone. I had no idea that Mr. Haverley thought you were the new cook." "I certainly did think so," cried Ralph, "and what is more, I intended to discharge you to-morrow morning." There was a lively time for a few minutes, after which Dora explained what had been said about her mind and a kitten. "He was just twitting me with having once changed my mind--every one does that," she said; "and then I gave him a kitten. That is all. And now, before I change my dress, I will go and get some wood for the kitchen fire. I think you said, Mr. Haverley, that the woodhouse was not far away." "Wood!" cried Ralph; "don't you think of it!" Miriam burst into a laugh.