What a blank her absence caused in the household!  She had filled a mother’s place among them, for the loving tact that bridged over the little jars that are apt to occur in every household was not one of Mrs. Sherwood’s accomplishments.

The first few weeks after her aunt’s departure were very trying ones to Dexie.  There seemed much fault-finding that was really unnecessary, but Dexie honestly tried to do her best.  She could see her own failures as well as her successes, and when she found that much of Nancy’s ill-temper was due to Gussie’s interference in the kitchen, she laid the matter before her father, and that put an end to many petty annoyances.

Dexie had much to bear from her mother also, for Mrs. Sherwood felt aggrieved that Dexie did not appreciate Hugh McNeil’s attentions as she thought they deserved.  His visits were a daily occurrence, and it was vexing to see Dexie refuse what would have been so acceptable to Gussie.

“If you do not intend to marry him, why do you not tell him so plainly?” she said one day, when Dexie had shut herself up in her room to avoid meeting Hugh.  “What is the use of keeping out of his way, when you know what he wants to see you for?”

“Why should I put myself in his way, when I do not want what he has to offer?  He shall not talk to me about it, either, unless he does so before a third party.  I will not see him alone!  I sent him a decided answer through papa, so why can he not be satisfied with that?  I declare, I almost hate the man!”

“Tell him so, plainly; then, and give Gussie a chance.  She is not so foolish as to allow any sentimentality to come between her and a fortune.”

“I have already told him so, as plainly as I can, mamma.  But if you think I am standing in Gussie’s way, just give Hugh McNeil this message from me.  Tell him that I will never marry him; that I hate the very sound of his footsteps; that if his fortune were four times multiplied, I would not have him; that I want him to cease persecuting me with his hateful attentions, and leave me alone!  Now, is that plain enough for any sensible man to understand, do you think?”

“Dexie! take care!  See that you do not repent those words, for I shall see that they are repeated to him, word for word.”

“Thank you, mamma, and if you can make the words sound any stronger, I hope you will do so.  I will be well pleased to see Gussie occupy the position she craves.  When she does, my congratulations will be most sincere and you will not know me—­it will make me so wonderfully good-tempered,” and she put her arm across her mother’s shoulder and kissed her cheek.  “Dear mamma, do not be vexed with me; but if I cannot endure Hugh for one hour, how can I think of spending my whole life with him?”

Mrs. Sherwood gave Hugh the message at her earliest opportunity, but it did not have the same effect on Hugh as she expected.

Hugh had no intention of accepting Dexie’s refusal at second-hand; he would hear it from her own lips before he would give up hope.  It might be an easy matter to remove the cause of her dislike, if he once found out what it was.