An elegant phaeton, drawn by a pair of superb black horses, drew up close to the coupe, and Mrs. Andrews and her only brother, Mr. Grey Chilton, leaned forward and spoke to the children; while Mr. Chilton, who was driving, teased Hattie by touching her head and shoulders with his whip.

“Uncle Grey, I think the bays are the handsomest.”

“Which proves you utterly incapable of judging horseflesh; for these are the finest horses in the city.  I presume this is Miss Earl, though nobody seems polite enough to introduce us.”

He raised his hat slightly, bowed, and drove on.

“Is this the first time you have met my uncle?” asked Felix.

“Yes.  Does he live in the city?”

“Why! he lives with us!  Haven’t you seen him about the house?  You must have heard him romping around with Hattie; for they make noise enough to call in the police.  I think my uncle Grey is the handsomest man I ever saw, except Edwin Booth, when he plays ‘Hamlet.’  What do you say?”

“As I had barely a glimpse of your uncle, I formed no opinion.  Felix, button your coat and draw your shawl over your shoulders; it is getting cold.”

When they reached home the children begged for some music, and placing her hat on a chair, Edna sat down before the piano, and played and sang; while Felix stood leaning on his crutches, gazing earnestly into the face of his teacher.

The song was Longfellow’s “Rainy Day,” and when she concluded it, the cripple laid his thin hand on hers and said: 

“Sing the last verse again.  I feel as if I should always be a good boy, if you would only sing that for me every day.  ’Into each life some rain must fall?’ Yes, lameness fell into mine.”

While she complied with his request, Edna watched his sallow face, and saw tears gather in the large, sad eyes, and she felt that henceforth the boy’s evil spirit could be exorcised.

“Miss Earl, we never had a governess at all like you.  They were old, and cross, and ugly, and didn’t love to play chess, and could not sing, and I hated them!  But I do like you, and I will try to be good.”

He rested his head against her arm, and she turned and kissed his pale, broad forehead.

“Halloo, Felix! flirting with your governess?  This is a new phase of school life.  You ought to feel quite honored, Miss Earl, though upon my word I am sorry for you.  The excessive amiability of my nephew has driven not less than six of your predecessors in confusion from the field, leaving him victorious.  I warn you he is an incipient Turenne, and the schoolroom is the Franche Comte of his campaigns.”

Mr. Chilton came up to the piano, and curiously scanned Edna’s face; but taking her hat and veil, she rose and moved toward the door, saying: 

“I am disposed to believe that he has been quite as much sinned against as sinning.  Come, children, it is time for your tea.”