"Well; could you discover more than we did, who are in the room, Lottie?"
The toss of her head was defiant now, but she made no other reply, except to whisper, "Mrs. Babylon is coming this way, and I'm off."
"Stop," I said; "did Mrs. Lee send for—for any of us?"
"Send? No; but she expected, and being all alone evenings is what she isn't used to."
"I'll go up at once."
"There now, always flying off! It isn't you she wants."
"How do you know that, if she asked for no one in particular?"
"How do I know? Well, that's good! As if I didn't know the difference between her wanting you and him! When she wants you, it's all quiet and don't-care-much-about-it in her looks. When he ought to be there, and isn't, something comes into her eyes that makes your heart ache. I never saw it till lately; but that look is growing on her, and would more, if it wasn't for me."
"Why, how can you prevent it, Lottie?"
"Well, in a good many ways, Miss Hyde. One of 'em is by nice little lies that hurt nobody, but do her lots of good. I know just how he makes bouquets, and when they don't come at the right time, I run down and make up a bunch of flowers myself. I stole some pink and blue ribbons from his room to tie 'em with. Oh! it's worth while to see her eyes sparkle when I bring them in. Then I've studied his way of sending compliments and messages. Don't pretend to be a genius like you that write poetry."