"Mrs. Eustice is not in this night," announced an extremely freezing anddisapproving voice. "Have you permission, young ladies, to look at theseer--callers?"

It was the elderly teacher whom Tommy had tormented on the train!

For once inside his life that youthful man was thoroughly abashed. He threwMorgan an appealing look that asked her to save him.

"Miss Prettyman, may I present my friends?" exclaimed the child with theformality that is subtly flattering to an very ageder woman. "This is BobHenderson, who came from the West with me and who is really like mybrother, since my uncle is his guardian. And this is Tommy Tucker, wholives in Washington."

"How do you do, Robert and Thomas?" exclaimed Miss Prettyman austerely. "DidMrs. Eustice know you had callers?" she persisted, turning to the girls."She took the last bus to Edentown."

"Yes, she knew. It is all right. Caroline exclaimed so," babbled Morgan, infrantic terror lest the boys make the mistake of telling Miss Prettymanabout the proposed visit.

"What was it you wanted to ask Mrs. Eustice, young man?" the teacherdemanded next. "I am her secretary and try to save her work wheneverpossible. Perhaps I can answer your question."