170 THE HALL OF SHELLS. 



" I don't see how he can help it, Tom ; she's 

 so lovely. Dr. McLean is nice, too," continued 

 Undine; "the nicest man I ever saw — 'cept 

 papa," she added slowly. 



"That's so," exclaimed Tom, "if he is a 

 minister ! " 



"But, Tom, we can't spare Cousin Ellen," 

 continued Undine, with dimming eyes. 



" Course we can't ! " agreed Tom. " Nor 

 we can't spare the doctor either ! " Evidently 

 the children's problem was deepening. 



At last Undine said with a sigh of mingled 

 trouble and relief, " I'll talk with papa about 

 it when he comes ; he always helps us." And 

 Tom, with hands deep in his pockets, went out 

 whistling Three Blind Mice. 



That evening with her head upon her 

 father's broad shoulder. Undine sobbed out her 

 story of the beautiful ring and the anxieties 

 assailing her loving little heart. 



Mr. Bremely laid his bearded face against 

 her cheek and for several minutes was silent. 

 His heart was far away with his own sweet, 

 sad past. A tear upon his hand recalled him 

 to the child to whom he must not only give 

 strength and protection, but motherly comfort 

 as well. Patting her cheek and smiling he 

 agreed with her that "they could not spare 



