Father, are you frightened by the thought of us all ?" Dr.Trenire laughed.

"Not really frightened," he said.

"You see, I can always send for your aunt.

She assured me she would return at once if I found you all unmanageable." "Oh," said Kitty gravely, "then we will promise not to be _quite_ unmanageable, but just bad enough." At that moment Lady Kitson's carriage overtook them, and her ladyship looked out and smiled and bowed to the doctor as she passed.

"Don't you let them wear you out, doctor," she cried.
Kitty, with sudden recollection, leaned forward and studied her father's face earnestly--as much, at least, as she could see of it.