"He peered through the narrow window."
The emotions of childhood are as changeable as the shadows of the flitting clouds.
Dot was pouting while Mel stood irresolute on the small porch, and was sure she would never, never speak to the mean fellow again; but the instant he peeped through the narrow window she forgot everything else, and darted forward to take her place at his side, and find out what it was that made him act so queerly.
Before she reached him she stopped short with the exclamation—
"Oh, Mel! here's a letter for you!"
CHAPTER TWO
AN IMPORTANT LETTER—SHUT IN
ASTONISHED by the cry, young Clarendon turned his head and looked at his sister, who landed at his side that moment like a fairy. She was holding a sheet of paper in her hand. It was folded in the form of an envelope, and pencilled on the outside in bold letters were the words—
"Melville Clarendon.
"In haste; read instantly."