But she had forgotten all that when she went in to see Mrs. Lorraine that afternoon to thank her for allowing Alice to make it possible for her to go to her friend. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Lorraine had been shocked when Alice came home Friday evening and told her of the offer she had made to take Anna’s place at Miss Penny’s while she was away. She declared that Alice should not do it. The bitterness which had seemed to disappear had come back, and Alice had been greatly disturbed. Mrs. Lorraine had finally yielded grudgingly, but she felt hurt and injured and there had been a perceptible coolness between mother and daughter since. They had never been close together, but of late they had been nearer to one another than ever before. The more Alice associated with Anna and Miss Penny, the more yearningly her heart went out towards her mother, and this coldness that was almost estrangement hurt her keenly. She was grateful that Anna did not feel any want of cordiality in her mother. Mrs. Lorraine received her thanks quietly and when Anna explained the situation listened intently and questioned her sympathetically. And she asked, almost impulsively, if Anna wasn’t tired out. “It’s just that I seem pulled so many ways at once, Mrs. Lorraine,” Anna said. “Really, I ought not to be at Miss Penny’s. With Rusty at college, I ought to be at home. Ma and pa need a daughter there the worst way. I get over all I can, but they’re so glad to see me and so sorry to have me go just across the street that it breaks my heart. But someone has to be with Miss Penny. She was goodness itself to Rusty and to the whole family, and I love her as if she were my favorite aunt of all and just love to be with her. And now there’s Mrs. Langley. She’s queer. Dick’s hatband had nothing on her when it comes to being odd. And yet I take to her and would enjoy sort of mothering her if it didn’t take me away from Miss Penny and my own family. And then again, there’s Mr. Langley.” On a sudden, tears filled the girl’s eyes. But she smiled through them. “It’s rum to be so popular, isn’t it Alice?” she asked. “Wouldn’t you think I was Brother Atlas or Father Time? The fact is, I’m only the other Miller girl trying to pretend I’m Charley-on-the-spot.” Mrs. Lorraine bent and kissed her. “You are a dear, absurd, unselfish child!” she cried warmly. “And if ever there’s anything Alice or I can do to help you out in any way, you must come straight to us. Mustn’t she, Alice?” “Yes, indeed,” agreed Alice with shining eyes, and coming to her mother kissed her shyly.