CHAPTER XIII. ALTHEA.
As the lady entered the room a little girl, with an expression of joy, ran from the window from which she had been looking, and took her hand.
"I'm so glad you've got home, auntie," she said. "I got tired of being alone."
"I staid away longer than I intended, Althea," said the lady. "I was afraid you would feel lonely."
"I was very lonely. I wanted to go out into the hall and play with a little girl that lives in the next room, but I thought you wouldn't find me."
"I am glad you did not. I have brought you a playfellow, Althea."
This drew the little girl's attention to Dan. Unlike most girls of her age, she was not bashful.
"What is his name?" she asked.