The willow switch dropped; the various recitations came to a sudden pause. “But she is such a dreadful bad girl,” urged the teacher.

Tessa Wadsworth lingered with her reticule, three parcels, a parasol, and Sartor Resartus in her hands.

You come and be teacher and tell us a story,” coaxed the naughty child.

But Tessa laughed and moved on, to be stopped, however, by a quick call. “Tessa Wadsworth! I declare that you are a pedestrian.”

The voice belonged to a pair of blue eyes, and a slight figure in drab.

“Well, now that you have caught me what will you have?”

“I’ll be satisfied with a walk across the Park. Didn’t you know that I was home? Gus said that he would tell you.”

“Have you had a pleasant time?”

“Oh, I always manage to enjoy myself. How is it that you always stay poking at home?”

“I seem to have found my niche at home. Every one needs me.”