XX. 



TROUBLE. 



" Cousiisr Ellen has a new ring," confided 

 Undine to Tom soon after. 



" That so ? " responded Tom, in an uninter- 

 ested voice. 



" It's lovely," continued Undine ; " a dear 

 little diamond and some pearls." 



"Don't see what she wants of any more 

 rings ! " ventured Tom, with more esprit. " She's 

 more rings now than she can wear. I'd a 

 thought she'd rather have a double-lens micro- 

 scope, or an alligator — / would ! " 



Without appearing to notice Tom's prefer- 

 ence, Undine gently touched the heart of the 

 matter, and Tom's heart as well, by her next 

 announcement : " I guess Dr. McLean gave it 

 to her." 



Tom's face grew troubled ; he was silent a 

 moment and then asked, "Undine, you don't 

 s'pose Dr. McLean cares anything about Cousin 

 Ellen, do you ? " 



169 



