"Oh, he'll find it soon enough; besides, he can't expect me always to be ready to do just what he wishes."
"Well, this involved some one else. He had promised young Halstead to take you to his studio to see a picture, and he was greatly disappointed, for the picture is to be sent away to-morrow."
"There!" exclaimed Brenda, "why didn't I remember? I thought that we were simply going for a walk to Brookline, but they shut off the telephone, or cut me off, and that was why he couldn't remind me. I'm awfully sorry."
"You won't have a chance to tell him so this evening. What shall I say when I see him?"
"You needn't take the trouble, Ralph," replied Brenda; "we're to ride to-morrow, and I can explain."
"It will be his turn to forget."
But Brenda did not heed Ralph's teasing, for already at the sound of three sharp peals of the door-bell she had rushed out to meet her cousin Julia.
"Oh, Julia, I have found just the girl for your school; she is an orphan and hates study, and—"
"Well, upon my word!" exclaimed Ralph, "those are certainly fine qualifications,—'an orphan and hates study'!"
"I understand what she means, or thinks she means," responded Julia, as she laughingly advanced to the centre of the room, greeting the family cordially, while Agnes helped her remove her hat and coat.