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if he didnā€™t sometimes get out of patience and tell her to go and practise herself. She makes nothing of tripping into Bertramā€™s studio at all hours of the day; and heā€™s sketched her head at every conceivable angleā€”which certainly doesnā€™t tend to make Billy modest or retiring. As to youā€”you know how much sheā€™s in your rooms, spending evening after evening fussing over your collections.ā€

ā€œI know; but weā€™reā€”weā€™re sorting them and making a catalogue,ā€ defended the man, anxiously. ā€œBesides, Iā€”I like to have her there. She doesnā€™t bother me a bit.ā€

ā€œNo; I know she doesnā€™t,ā€ replied Aunt Hannah, with a curious inflection. ā€œBut donā€™t you see, William, that all this isnā€™t going to quite do? Billyā€™s too youngā€”and too old.ā€

ā€œCome, come, Aunt Hannah, is that exactly logical?ā€

ā€œItā€™s true, at least.ā€

ā€œBut, after all, whereā€™s the harm? Donā€™t you think that you are just a little bit tooā€”fastidious? Billyā€™s nothing but a care-free child.ā€

ā€œItā€™s the ā€˜freeā€™ part that I object to, William. She has taken every one of you into intimate companionshipā€”even Pete and Dong Ling.ā€

ā€œPete and Dong Ling!ā€

ā€œYes.ā€ Mrs. Stetsonā€™s chin came up, and her nostrils dilated a little. ā€œBilly went to Pete the other day to have him button her shirt-waist up in the back; and yesterday I found her downstairs in the kitchen instructing Dong Ling how to make chocolate fudge!ā€

William fell back in his chair.

ā€œWell, well,ā€ he muttered, ā€œwell, well! She is a child, and no mistake!ā€ He paused, his brows drawn into a troubled frown. ā€œBut, Aunt Hannah, what CAN I do? Of course you could talk to her, butā€” I donā€™t seem to quite like that idea.ā€

ā€œMy grief and conscienceā€”no, no! That isnā€™t what is needed at all. It would only serve to make her self-conscious; and thatā€™s her one salvation nowā€”that she isnā€™t self-conscious. You see, itā€™s only the fault of her environment and training, after all. It isnā€™t her heart thatā€™s wrong.ā€

ā€œIndeed it isnā€™t!ā€

ā€œIt will be different when she is olderā€”when she has seen a little more of the world outside Hampden Falls. Sheā€™ll go to school, of course, and I think she ought to travel a little. Meanwhile, she mustnā€™t liveā€”just like this, though; certainly not for a time, at least.ā€

ā€œNo, no, Iā€™m afraid not,ā€ agreed William, perplexedly, rising to his feet. ā€œBut we must thinkā€”what can be done.ā€ His step was even slower than usual as he left the room, and his eyes were troubled.

CHAPTER XV WHAT BERTRAM CALLS ā€œTHE LIMITā€

At half past ten oā€™clock on the evening following Mrs. Stetsonā€™s very plain talk with William, the telephone bell at the Beacon Street house rang sharply. Pete answered it.

ā€œWell?ā€ā€”Pete never said ā€œhello.ā€

ā€œHello. Is that you, Pete?ā€ called Billyā€™s voice agitatedly. ā€œIs Uncle William there?ā€

ā€œNo, Miss Billy.ā€

ā€œOh dear! Well, Mr. Cyril, then?ā€

ā€œHeā€™s out, too, Miss Billy. And Mr. Bertramā€”theyā€™re all out.ā€

ā€œYes, yes, I know HEā€™S out,ā€ almost sobbed Billy. ā€œDear, dear, what shall I do! Pete, youā€™ll have to come. There isnā€™t any other way!ā€

ā€œYes, Miss; where?ā€ Peteā€™s voice was dubious, but respectful.

ā€œTo the Boylston Street subwayā€”on the Common, you knowā€”North-bound side. Iā€™ll wait for youā€”but HURRY! You see, Iā€™m all alone here.ā€

ā€œAlone! Miss Billyā€”in the subway at this time of night! But, Miss Billy, you shouldnā€™tā€”you canā€™tā€”you mustnā€™tā€”ā€œstuttered the old man in helpless horror.

ā€œYes, yes, Pete, but never mind; I am here! And I should think if ā€˜twas such a dreadful thing you would hurry FAST to get here, so I wouldnā€™t be alone,ā€ appealed Billy.

With an inarticulate cry Pete jerked the receiver on to the hook, and stumbled away from the telephone. Five minutes later he had left the house and was hurrying through the Common to the Boylston Street subway station.

Billy, a long cloak thrown over her white dress, was waiting for him. Her white slippers tapped the platform nervously, and her hair, under the light scarf of lace, fluffed into little broken curls as if it had been blown by the wind.

ā€œMiss Billy, Miss Billy, what can this mean?ā€ gasped the man. ā€œWhere is Mrs. Stetson?ā€

ā€œAt Mrs. Hartwellā€™sā€”you know she is giving a reception tonight. But come, we must hurry! Iā€™m after Mr. Bertram.ā€

ā€œAfter Mr. Bertram!ā€

ā€œYes, yes.ā€

ā€œAlone?ā€”like this?ā€

ā€œBut Iā€™m not alone now; I have you. Donā€™t you see?ā€

At the blank stupefaction in the manā€™s face, the girl sighed impatiently.

ā€œDear me! I suppose Iā€™ll have to explain; but weā€™re losing timeā€” and we mustnā€™tā€”we mustnā€™t!ā€ she cried feverishly. ā€œListen then, quick. It was at Mrs. Hartwellā€™s tonight. Iā€™d been watching Mr. Bertram. He was with that horrid Mr. Seaver, and I never liked him, never! I overheard something they said, about some place they were going to, and I didnā€™t like what Mr. Seaver said. I tried to speak to Mr. Bertram, but I didnā€™t get a chance; and the next thing I knew heā€™d gone with that Seaver man! I saw them just in time to snatch my cloak and follow them.ā€

ā€œFOLLOW them! MISS BILLY!ā€

ā€œI had to, Pete; donā€™t you see? There was no one else. Mr. Cyril and Uncle William had goneā€”home, I supposed. I sent back word by the maid to Aunt Hannah that Iā€™d gone ahead; you know the carriage was ordered for eleven; but Iā€™m afraid she wonā€™t have sense to tell Aunt Hannah, she looked so dazed and frightened when I told her. But I COULDNā€™T wait to say more. Well, I hurried out and caught up with Mr. Bertram just as they were crossing Arlington Street to the Garden. Iā€™d heard them say they were going to walk, so I knew I could do it. But, Pete, after I got there, I didnā€™t dare to speakā€” I didnā€™t DARE to! So I justā€”followed. They went straight through the Garden and across the Common to Tremont Street, and on and on until they stopped and went down some stairs, all marble and lights and mirrors. ā€˜Twas a restaurant, I think. I saw just where it was, then I flew back here to telephone for Uncle William. I knew HE could do something. Butā€”well, you know the rest. I had to take you. Now come, quick; Iā€™ll show you.ā€

ā€œBut, Miss Billy, I canā€™t! You mustnā€™t; itā€™s impossible,ā€ chattered old Pete. ā€œCome, let me take ye home, Miss Billy, do!ā€

ā€œHomeā€”and leave Mr. Bertram with that Seaver man? No, no!ā€

ā€œWhat CAN ye do?ā€

ā€œDo? I can get him to come home with me, of course.ā€

The old man made a despairing gesture and looked about him as if for help. He saw then the curious, questioning eyes on all sides; and with a quick change of manner, he touched Miss Billyā€™s arm.

ā€œYes; weā€™ll go. Come,ā€ he apparently agreed. But once outside on the broad expanse before the Subway entrance he stopped again. ā€œMiss Billy, please come home,ā€ he implored. ā€œYe donā€™t knowā€”ye canā€™t know what yer a-doinā€™!ā€

The girl tossed her head. She was angry now.

ā€œPete, if you will not go with me I shall go alone. I am not afraid.ā€

ā€œBut the hourā€”the placeā€”you, a young girl! Miss Billy!ā€ remonstrated the old man agitatedly.

ā€œIt isnā€™t so very late. Iā€™ve been out lots of times later than this at home. And as for the place, itā€™s all light and bright, and lots of people were going inā€”ladies and gentlemen. Nothing could hurt me, Pete, and I shall go; but Iā€™d rather you were with me. Why, Pete, we mustnā€™t leave him. He isnā€™tā€”he isnā€™t HIMSELF, Pete. Heā€”heā€™s been DRINKING!ā€ Billyā€™s voice broke, and her face flushed scarlet. She was almost crying. ā€œCome, you wonā€™t refuse now!ā€ she finished, resolutely turning toward the street.

And because old Pete could not pick her up bodily and carry her home, he followed close at her heels. At the head of the marble stairs ā€œall lights and mirrors,ā€ however, he made one last plea.

ā€œMiss Billy, once more I beg of ye, wonā€™t ye come home? Ye donā€™t know what yer a-doinā€™, Miss Billy, ye donā€™tā€”ye donā€™t!ā€

ā€œI canā€™t go home,ā€ persisted Billy. ā€œI must get Mr. Bertram away from that man. Now come; weā€™ll just stand at the door and look in until we see him. Then Iā€™ll go straight to him and speak to him.ā€ And with that she turned and ran down the steps.

Billy blinked a little at the lights which, reflected in the great plate-glass mirrors, were a million dazzling points that found themselves again repeated in the sparkling crystal and glittering silver on the flower-decked tables. All about her Billy saw flushed-faced men, and bright-eyed women, laughing, chatting, and clinking together their slender-stemmed wine glasses. But nowhere, as she looked about her, could Billy descry the man she sought.

The head waiter came forward with uplifted hand, but Billy did not see him. A girl at her left laughed disagreeably, and several men stared with boldly admiring eyes; but to them, too, Billy paid no heed. Then, halfway across the room she spied Bertram and Seaver sitting together at a small table alone.

Simultaneously her own and Bertramā€™s eyes met.

With a sharp word under his breath Bertram sprang to his feet. His befogged brain had cleared suddenly under the shock of Billyā€™s presence.

ā€œBilly, for Heavenā€™s sake what are you doing here?ā€ he demanded in a low voice, as he reached her side.

ā€œI came for you. I want you to go home with me, please, Mr. Bertram,ā€ whispered Billy, pleadingly.

The man had not waited for an answer to his question. With a deft touch he had turned Billy toward the door; and even as she finished her sentence she found herself in the marble hallway confronting Pete, pallid-faced, and shaking.

ā€œAnd you, too, Pete! Great Scott! what does this mean?ā€ he exploded angrily.

Pete could only shake his head and glance imploringly at Billy. His dry lips and tongue refused to articulate even one word.

ā€œWe cameā€”forā€”you,ā€ choked Billy. ā€œYou see, I donā€™t like that Seaver man.ā€

ā€œWell, by Jove! this is the limit!ā€ breathed Bertram.

CHAPTER XVI KATE TAKES A HAND

Undeniably Billy was in disgrace, and none knew it better than Billy herself. The whole family had contributed to this knowledge. Aunt Hannah was inexpressibly shocked; she had not breath even to ejaculate ā€œMy grief and conscience!ā€ Kate was disgusted; Cyril was coldly reserved; Bertram was frankly angry; even William was vexed, and showed it. Spunk, too, as if in league with the rest, took this opportunity to display one of his occasional fits of independence; and when Billy, longing for some sort of comfort, called him to her, he settled back on his tiny haunches and imperturbably winked and blinked his indifference.

Nearly all the family had had something to say to Billy on the matter, with not entirely satisfactory results, when Kate determined to see what she could do. She chose a time when she could have the girl quite to herself with small likelihood of interruption.

ā€œBut, Billy, how could you do such an absurd thing?ā€ she demanded. ā€œThe idea of leaving my house alone, at half-past ten at night, to follow a couple of men through the streets of Boston, and then with my brothersā€™ butler make a scene like that in aā€”a public dining-room!ā€

Billy sighed in a discouraged way.

ā€œAunt Kate, canā€™t I make you and the rest of them understand that I didnā€™t start out to do all that? I meant just to speak to Mr. Bertram, and get him away from that man.ā€

ā€œBut, my dear child, even that was bad enough!ā€

Billy lifted her chin.

ā€œYou donā€™t seem to think, Aunt Kate; Mr. Bertram wasā€”was not sober.ā€

ā€œAll the more reason then why you should NOT have done what you did!ā€

ā€œWhy, Aunt Kate, you wouldnā€™t leave him alone in

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