“I thought of Dr. West, and the year which divided us, but I answered, ‘Yes, I will care for the children;’ and then, to stop her talking, I was thinking of leaving her, when Jessie’s voice was heard in the hall, speaking to the chamber-maid. “‘Who is that?’ Margaret asked, her old expression coming back and settling down into a hard, unpleasant expression, when I replied: “‘That’s Jessie Verner. The family came with me, or rather I came with them. You know her; she was here a few weeks since.’ “‘The dreadful girl! Why, Dora, she _whistles_, and romps with the dog, and talks to the gentlemen, and goes down the sidewalk _hip-pi-ti-hop_, and up the stairs two at a time; and _joked_ with John about being his second wife right before me! Actually, Dora, right before _me_!’ and Margaret’s voice was highly indicative of her horror at this last-named sin of Jessie’s. “‘It was better to joke before you than when you were absent. Jessie is at least frank and open-hearted,’ I said, but Margaret would not hear a word in her favor, so deeply prejudiced had she become against the young girl, who half an hour later inquired for her with much concern, and asked if she might see her. “‘I did not know,’ I said, ‘I’d ask.’ “‘Never, Dora, never!’ and Margaret’s lips shut firmly. ‘That terrible girl see me! No, indeed!’ and in this she persisted to the last, Dr. West telling Jessie that he did not think it best for her to call on Mrs. Russell, as it might disturb her. “That night, tired as Jessie was, she danced like a top in the drawing-room, meeting many acquaintances, and winning a host of male admirers by her frankness and originality. Next morning I counted upon her table as many as six bouquets, the finest of which she begged me carry Margaret, with her compliments. “Margaret was weaker this morning than she had been the previous night, but her eyes lighted up with a gleam of pleasure when I appeared with the flowers, and she involuntarily raised her hand to take them. “‘Miss Jessie sent them,’ I said, and instantly they dropped from Margaret’s grasp, while she exclaimed: “‘That dreadful girl? Put them out of my sight. They make me sick. I can’t endure it!’