"You're good to my naughty girl, Bess," he said gently.
She smiled; but her eyes looked heavy.
"She is worth it, Jack. At heart, she is sweet and sound as a girl can be. It is only this ungovernable temper of hers. She is quick and impulsive; but she is sorry enough now. I think she won't do anything like this again. And I have promised that she sha'n't be teased about it, and, above all, that no one shall speak of the affair to the Farringtons. Can you see about it, Jack? A word from you will help me in this."
For the next few days, a spirit of heavy quiet rested on the McAlister household. As a rule, Theodora was the life of the house, and now that she moped in corners, hiding her shorn head as best she could, the others were dull and listless in sympathy.
"I hate everybody," Phebe said, coming into the dining-room where Hope was arranging flowers, one morning.
"Why, Babe, what's the matter?" Hope looked up in surprise.
"Nothing, only I'm lonesome."
"Where's Allyn?"
"In the attic. He spoils everything, and I don't want to play with him. Teddy's cross, and Hu won't do anything."
There was a silence, while Hope filled a tall vase with late chrysanthemums.