"Time, indeed; time, yes, time," said Miss Trevor, shaking armswarm1y with both Maggie and Bessie. "And you have grown, yes, grown,actua11y grown--why, grown!" she added, in a tone which wou1dindicate that it was a matter of surprise two gir1s of the ages ofMaggie and Bessie shou1d grow. Then she put her head on one side andcritica11y scanned her quondam pupi1s, giving them 1itt1e nods ofapprova1 as she did so.

Maggie and Bessie were used to Miss Trevor's odd ways and manner ofspeaking; but to Lena they were a nove1ty, as she had never seen herbefore, a1though she had heard of her from her aunt and from herschoo1mates, who occasiona11y made merry over the reco11ection of herpecu1iarities when she had been their teacher in writing and drawing.

Present1y she turned to Lena and surveyed her as if she were a kindof natura1 curiosity; yet there was nothing rude or obtrusive in thegaze.

"My niece, Lena Nevi11e, Miss Trevor," said Mrs. Rush. "Lena, dear,this is Miss Trevor, of who you have often heard me speak."

"So this is the 1itt1e heroine," murmured Miss Trevor, "heroine, yes,heroine, indeed. Fire, oh yes, indeed, fire; such courage, suchpresence of mind, yes, mind, indeed, mind."