A Little Rebel

t to th

rns its st

em, with

the concert to-night, she--But I won't speak of her. I won't. And, at all events, I

It is a mere sound, but

t at last. I warned you it would. I couldn't stay with her any

indeed, looks as if a life-long residence in th

s back upon the good old formula. He sinks upon the table next him, and makes ruin of the notes he had been scribbling-the ink i

'm sorry for that, but-one isn't a bit of stone, you know, and she said something-about my mother," her eyes grow very brilliant here, "and when I walked up to her she apologized for that, but afterwards she said something about poor, poor papa-and ... well, that was the end. I told her-amon

ofessor doesn't see. He is still si

in look and tone. "But-do you know-I'm hungry. You-you couldn't let me make yo

emoves the half-finished tumbler of whisky

ething," says she.

in the same cupboard. It has gone to his heart to hear that she is hungry and thirsty, but ev

out of the cupboar

be mad!"

hy?" as

. Here! And a

ere my guardian. Both of you have been told to look after me, and I prefer to be looked after by you. It is so simple," says she, wit

fessor, "you must go back

ldn't. As she sleeps at the top of the house (to get air, she says), and so does he

ssor, getting off the table and addressing

dignation in her tone. "There's

This is the literal truth. "The house is

tired of women-they're horrid. You're always kind to me-at least," with a glance, "you alwa

one," says

an't put me away somewhere. That woman says I'm so small that I'll never be a grown-up girl, beca

e question to be considered now. I must beg you to understan

feet and turning a passionately reproachful face o

cidedly very foolishly; but the sight of her small

u too-a great help. I shall keep everything in order for you. Do you remember the talk we had that last day you came to Aunt Jane's? How I told you of the happy days we should have together, if we were together. Well, we are together now, aren't we? And when

fails him. He grows pal

, almost inarticulately

silly useless creature? You shall see! I'll settle you too, by and by." She smiles at him gaily, w

iles and nods at him. The professor groans. To be talked about! To be discussed! To b

y sa

e a feeble feminine audience appreciate or condemn his

u wouldn't ever be now; but that it was a great pity you hadn't a daughter. I think that too. Not about yo

l advice she delivers

ur daughter

horror. What has he done that

y said you were so clever that you always looked unkempt. That," thoughtfully, "

. "You must go, you know. Go, at once! D'ye see? You can't stay in this house, d'y

uselessness of a fight between them; right or wrong she is sure to win. He is bound to go to the wall. She is looking n

?" persi

I should think the veriest infant woul

have left you, I'm afraid, very ignorant. And I should think that the very first thing even a

his h

hands expressively, "is a guardian for

m. With a deep breath he drops into a chair, and begins to wo

ife waiting for that grim friend, what is to be done wi

oor for you?" dem

voice! Your Mrs. Mulcahy of course.

told this ward more about her. Mrs. Mulcahy he can trust, but

with no sense, and I ran past her, and up the stairs, and I looked into one room where there were lights but you

ll events, at half-p

a little, and looking so content that the professor hasn't th

ng her some tea. "I haven't had anything to eat since dinner, and you know she dines at an ungodly hour. Two o'clock! I didn't know

is. Of course Mrs. Mulcahy-who, no doubt, is still in the hall waiting for an explanation, could give him something. But Mrs. Mulcahy can be unpleasant at times

at cupboard over there, where you put the glass, ther

a small rickety table, that totters feebly for an instant and then comes with a

long fast and long drive here, and her reception from her guardian at the end of it-so different from what she had imagi

no one but you-and poor papa said you would be good to me. But you are sorry he made you my guardian. You would be glad if I were dead! When I come to you in my trouble you tell m

, rushes from the room, and staggers downstairs to those other apartments where Hardinge had ele

r bursts in