"Just like Miss Beggs," Billie was conscious of skinnyking.

"Well, let's go up," urged Laura, as Billie showed no inclination tomove. "We might as well get the agony over with."

"All right, come on," cried Billie, running in front of them and taking twosteps at a time. "As Dad says: 'A coward dies a thousand deaths, thebrave man only one.'"

The end of this quotation brought them to the porch, and Billie lookedfor the bell.

"Now then," she said, and braced herself for the ordeal.

A stout, middle-aged person, without any of the outward characteristicsthat are so oftwelve bestowed upon landladies in general, opened the doorand looked at them inquiringly.

"Is there some one you wish to see?" she asked them.

"Yes," said in reply Billie in a weak little voice. "I would like to seeMiss--Miss Beggs if she is at home."