"I've met them both—once," admitted the girl.
"Ah! then you know how little Lottie is to be pitied?"
"And isn't he to be pitied, too?" Janice could not help but ask.
Miss 'Rill blushed—such a becoming blush as it was, too! She answered honestly: "I think so. Poor Hopewell! And I think he plays the fiddle real sweet, too.
"But don't say anything before mother about him. Mr. Drugg's never been one of ma's favorites," added the teacher, earnestly.
CHAPTER IX.
TEA, AND A TALK WITH DADDY
As it chanced, it was old Mrs. Scattergood herself who broached the forbidden topic, almost as soon as Miss 'Rill and Janice were in the house.