"That--that she wanted to see Miss _Maggie_ Kendall," blurted out the horrified Betty. "'Mag of the Alley.'" Miss Kendall sprang to her feet. "Bring the girl here, Betty," she directed quickly. "I will see her at once." Just what and whom she expected to see, Margaret could not have told. For the first surprised instant it seemed that some dimly remembered Patty or Clarabella or Arabella from the past must be waiting out there at the door; the next moment she knew that this was impossible, for time, even in the Alley, could not have stood still, and Patty and the twins must be women-grown now. Out at the side door the "impertinent young person" received Betty's order to "come in" with an airy toss of her head, and a jeering "There, what'd I tell ye?" but once in the subdued luxury of soft rugs and silken hangings, and face to face with a beauteous vision in a trailing pale blue gown, she became at once only a very much frightened little girl about eleven years old. At a sign from Miss Kendall, Betty withdrew and left the two alone. "What is your name, little girl?" asked Miss Kendall gently. The child swallowed and choked a little. "Nellie Magoon, ma'am, if you please, thank you," she stammered. "Where do you live?" "Down on the Prospect Hill road." "Who sent you to me?" "Mis' Durgin." Miss Kendall frowned and paused a moment. As yet there had not been a name that she recognized, nor could she find in the child's face the slightest resemblance to any one she had ever seen before. "But I don't understand," she protested. "Who is this Mrs. Durgin? What did she tell you to say to me?" "She said, 'Tell her Patty is in trouble an' wants ter see Mag of the Alley,'" murmured the child, as if reciting a lesson. "'Patty'? 'Patty'? Not Patty Murphy!" cried Miss Kendall, starting forward and grasping the child's arm. Nellie drew back, half frightened. "Yes, ma'am. No, ma'am. I don't know, ma'am," she stammered. "But how came she to send for me? Who told her I was here?" "The boss." "The--boss!" "Yes. Mr. McGinnis, ye know. He said as how you was here." "Bobby!" cried Miss Kendall, releasing the child's arm and falling back a step. "Why, of course, it's Patty--it must be Patty! I'll go to her at once. Wait here while I dress." And she hurried across the hall and up the broad stairway.