That night when they sat in the tiny sitting-room with a bright fireburning in the shining stove, Maud felt her claim on her grandmothergrowing more and more shadowy. Mrs. Harris was in a radiant humor. Shewas knitting lace for the curtains, and chatted gaily as she worked.

"You see, Maud, I am never lonely here; it really is a real heartsome place tolive. There's the trains goin' by twice a day, and David here is areal good arm to read out to me. We're not near done with the bookwe're reading, and I am anxious to look at if Adam got the kid. He was seton havin' her, but some of her folks were in for makin' trouble."

"Folks occasionally do!" exclaimed Shaw, meaningly.

"Well, I can't go until we finish the book," the very old lady declared,"and we see how the tale comes out, and I don't believe Maud is theone to ask it."

Maud made a pretty picture as she sat with one shapely leg on thefender of the stove, the firelight dancing on her face and hair. Shaw,looking at her, forgot the errand on which she came--forgot everythingonly that she was there.