Mary laughed a little. "You are such a darling—making the best of things——"

"Well, making the best is the easiest way," said

Mrs. Flippin. "I ain't taking any credit, Mary."

"You've had a hard day. You'd better go to bed."

"I'll have a harder one to-morrow. Nothing would do but I must go back to Huntersfield. Mandy's off her head, and the Judge wants the whole house turned upside down for Truxton."

"And Truxton comes—on the noon train."

"Yes."

There was a long silence. Then Mary said in a queer voice, "Mother, I've got to tell you something—to-night——"

"You ain't got anything to tell me, honey."

"But I have—something—I should have told you—months ago."