And don't you say one single word.

Not a word, no matter what happens." She took the girl's hand and led her down the front stairs.

As they descended Mary-'Gusta could scarcely restrain a gasp of surprise.

The front door was open--the FRONT door--and the child had never seen it open before, had long ago decided that it was not a truly door at all, but merely a make-believe like the painted windows on the sides of her doll house.

But now it was wide open and Mr.Hallett, arrayed in a suit of black, the coat of which puckered under the arms, was standing on the threshold, looking more soothy than ever.