Only we must have some other hats."

"I'll wear my Gainsborough, and you, Phil, shall have my brown turban with the bunch of plumes. Louie--"

"Let me wear the black straw with those yellow daisies. I almost grudge that to you."

"Then take it as a Christmas gift."

The cook stopped them in the hall and said they must have a cup of hot chocolate. The wind was blowing up cold.

Then they started home in very good spirits. It was well they had changed their headgear. Mrs. Dane sat in the hall looking over some mail. She glanced up and nodded, but she had some suspicions and she meant to see who came home wearing a light blue Tam.

Zay flung her borrowed article on Miss Arnold's bed. She had not come home from the musicale yet.

Lilian Boyd had gone out for her usual walk. She wanted to see some pretty things Claire was making for Christmas, but before she reached the corner she saw Edith Trenham coming rapidly from her mother's, so she halted.

"Oh, Lilian--don't go. You can't see Claire--"

"Is she ill?" in affright.

"No, no, only--come with me to the druggist; I can't tell you just now--oh, I'll write you a note. You cannot go there this week. Mother has a friend staying with her and I have gone to Mrs. Lane's to board for a week, there is so much school work just now."

"How very mysterious you are," studying her while she colored under the scrutiny.

"Well, it threatens snow and it would be easier for me there. Don't worry about us--I'll write this evening and tell you the 'whys;' and now dear, don't feel vexed if I leave you. I have a number of errands to do, and I'll surely see you on Sunday."

She had taken a few steps, then she turned and said: "Lilian, do not mention meeting me today; I ask it as a favor. I will explain it all to you. Trust me."

What did it mean? _Was_ Claire ill? She had never seen Miss Trenham so confused. Evidently she could not have her come to the house. Lilian felt curiously dismal. There were the shops in holiday attire, but she said she did not feel joyous, Christmasy. She rambled about a little.

There was the Clairvoyant's sign. Could any one tell about the future, even another's health? For, somehow it seemed as if her mother had been curiously distraught of late. If she _could_ know about the future! Oh, her mother must live the year out, and she was learning a great many things. She would do for an under teacher then, and by the time she was twenty--

It was cloudy and raw and she hurried up a little. A merry group of girls pa.s.sed her laughing and chatting. Why, she had never felt so alone, not even back in Laconia. Last Christmas had been gay and pleasant with girls in Sunday and everyday school.

She went in at the side entrance. She could have taken the other but this was nearer. She had the right to a good many privileges that under some circ.u.mstances she would have claimed, but the supercillious nod or the lifting of the brows cut like a knife. Her place was on her mother's side.

Mrs. Dane opened her door on the landing and crossed the hall.

"Oh, you have returned. Did you see your friend, Miss Trenham?" There was something curious in the tone.

"I did not go to the house." Yet she colored as if it was a prevarication.

"No?" was all the comment in the same tone.

But her mother was not so easily put off.

"Did you see your pretty invalid friend and her Christmas work?"

"No, I did not go in."

"That's queer. I thought you were going there. Where, then, did you go?"

"Oh, I only walked around and said over French verbs. It's grown very chilly."

"Yes. Miss Arran came in and opened a window. I felt so cold--I wish people would let you have your room as you want it. They can swing their's wide open if they want to."

She was lying on the bed. She looked old and gray and wrinkled.

"Do you feel poorly, mother?"

"No, not when I am good and warm."

"Shall we have tea together here?"

"I don't want any, I'm very comfortable now. You go and get yours."

But Lilian sent for it, yet she could not persuade her mother to taste the toast or the bit of broiled steak. She was hungry.

Afterward she took up her book to study as she was not due down stairs.

Then there was a tap at the door.

"Mrs. Barrington would like to see you in her room," was the message.

She walked thither. Mrs. Dane sat there in her austerest fashion.

"Miss Boyd," she said, "were you at your friend's, Mrs. Trenham's, this afternoon?"

Lilian flushed at the repeated question.

"I was not," she said rather hesitatingly. "I meant to go, but"--then she paused. She must not say she met Edith.

Mrs. Barrington's penetrating eyes were fixed on her face and brought a vivid color to it.

"Were you at any other person's house?"

"No, I was not," she answered quietly. Oh, what does it all mean?

"Do you mean to deny that you were at the Clairvoyant's from half past four to about five?" Mrs. Dane said in her most judicial manner.

Lilian flushed indignantly but her voice was unsteady as she said--"I was not there, if you"--then she paused.

"Think again. I saw you walking about nearly at the corner. I went to make a call on a friend who is ill. When I came out I walked a few doors, when I saw the Clairvoyant's door open and a girl stepped out on the stoop. I think there was some one behind her. She saw me and bolted back in the hall. There are just two girls in the school who have light blue Tams. Miss Arnold went to a musicale and found hers lying on the bed just where she left it. I watched, but you did not come out again.

Then I walked around to the rear but saw no one. I had a fair glance at your face, I think I cannot be mistaken."

Lilian was speechless with amazement.

"I met Miss Trenham at the side of the park and we walked together a short distance. Believe it or not, I went to no one's house."

"It is important for us to know the truth on account of the terrible ending," said Mrs. Barrington gravely. "Two boys have been ill with what their mother thought was measles. The doctor was not sent for until noon, and did not get there until nearly six. He found one boy dead of malignant scarlet fever, the other dying and one girl seriously ill. So you see we cannot afford to have contagion brought in the house!"

"Oh, what a horrible thing!" Lilian cried. Then she faced Mrs. Dane.