Sammy glanced up, then fled precipitately; and Beth, turning to leave the window, discovered Harriet standing in the background, grinning.
"So you've getten a sweetheart!" she exclaimed. "There's nothing like beginning early."
"So you've been listening again," Beth answered hotly. "Bad luck to you!"
A few days later Mrs. Caldwell was sitting with Lady Benyon, who was in the bow-window as usual, looking out.
"If I am not mistaken," said Lady Benyon suddenly, "there is a crowd collecting at your house."
"What! again?" Mrs. Caldwell groaned, jumping up.
"If I'm not mistaken," Lady Benyon repeated.
Mrs. Caldwell hurried off without even waiting to shake hands. On getting into the street, however, she was relieved to find that Lady Benyon had been mistaken. There was no crowd collecting in Orchard Street, but, as she approached her own house, she became aware of a small boy at the drawing-room window talking to some one within, whom she presently discovered to be Beth.
"What are you doing there, Beth?" she demanded severely. "Who is this boy?"
Beth started. "Sammy Lee," she gasped. "Mr. Lee's grandson at the end of Orchard Row."