Mrs. Howland colored as she kissed him. Of course she liked him very much; but somehow Maggie had brought a new atmosphere into the house. Even Mrs. Howland felt it. "Let's eat, let's eat," said Martin. "I never deny myself the good things of life. That girl knows a thing or two. She's a ver-ry clever girl." "She is, James; she is." "Now, what on earth do you call me James for? Ain't I Bo-peep--ain't I?" "Yes, Bo-peep, of course you are." "And you are Little-sing. You're a wonderfully elegant-looking woman for your years, Victoria." CHAPTER XIV. IN THE PARK. Mrs. Howland did not like to have her years mentioned. Mr. Martin had been careful never to do so until Maggie appeared on the scene. On the contrary, he had dropped hints that his birdling, his Little-sing, his Victoria, was in the early bloom of youth. But now he said that she was a wonderful woman for her years. Mrs. Howland bridled slightly. "I am not old, James," she said. "Come, come," said the good-natured grocer; "no 'Jamesing' of me. I'm your Bo-peep. What does it matter whether you are old or young, Victoria, if you suit me and I suit you? This is a first-rate tea, and that girl's clever--uncommon clever. By the way, how old may she happen to be?" "Sixteen her last birthday," said Mrs. Howland. "I was very, very young, a mere child, when I married, James." "There you are with your 'James' again! Strikes me, you're a bit huffy to-day, Little-sing." "No, I am not; only I've been worried since Maggie came back. She was so rude to you yesterday. I felt it terribly." "Did you now? Well, that was very sensible of you. We'll finish our tea before we begin our talk. Come, Little-sing, eat your cake and drink your tea, and make yourself agreeable to your Bo-peep." Mrs. Howland felt cheered. She did enjoy her meal; and, if she liked it, Mr. Martin liked it immensely also. "What a useful girl that would be!" he said. "We could make her housekeeper at Laburnum Villa in no time. She has a head on her shoulders." Mrs. Howland was silent. She was dreading inexpressibly the little scene which she felt must be endured between her and her intended. "We'll ring the bell now," said Martin, wiping a few crumbs from his mouth and dusting his trousers with his pocket-handkerchief. "We'll get Tildy to remove all these things, and then what do you say to my taking you for a drive to the Park?" "Oh, I should like that!" said Mrs. Howland in surprise, "Thought so. Never say that Bo-peep isn't thoughtful.--Ah, here you be, Tildy. You clear away--smart, my girl, and then whistle for a 'ansom. Do you hear me? A 'ansom, not a four-wheeler. Look as sharp as you can, my girl, and I'll give you sixpence." "Thank you, sir," said Tildy. She looked with admiring eyes at the pair who were so close to the matrimonial venture, and quickly removed all traces of the meal. "Now then, Little-sing, go into your room and get dressed for your drive."