At this speech Kate smiled in spite of her tears, and Mr. Middleton went on:  “But he warn’t as handsome as his sister, and I’ll be skinned if I ever seen anybody that was.  Tempest can’t hold a candle to her, for all she feels so crank.  Why, Kit, or Kate, what’s yer name?  You’re as handsome as a pictur!”

Mr. Miller probably thought so too, if the admiring look which he gave her was any criterion.  Mr. Middleton observed it, and forgetting for a moment the death of his friend, he slapped Mr. Miller on his shoulder, saying, “I tell you what, my boy; it’s a mighty mean wind that blows nobody any good fortin.  Miss Kate warn’t sent to Kentuck for nothin’, and unless you’re a bigger logger-head than I think you be, you’ll try to find out what she come for, and how long she’s goin’ to stay.”

Mr. Miller smiled and said, “I hope we shall be able to keep Miss Wilmot all winter, for the people of Frankfort are wanting a music teacher, and have solicited her to remain in that capacity.”

“By Jove,” said Mr. Middleton, “that’s just the thing!  And you have taken Dick’s place in school—­poor, boy, to die so soon!” The tears were again moistening his immense beard, but this time he hastily brushed them away, and went on, “Yes, that’s a capital idee, and you want me to patternize you by sending my two gals—­hey?  Well, I reckon I can’t do better, if they want to go.  Ho!  Tempest—­Sunshine—­what d’ye say?  D’ye want to go back to Frankfort and board at Miss Crane’s, ’long of Mr. Miller, Dr. Lacey, Katy did, and that other infernal Katy didn’t, what fainted spang away at the sight of old Josh!  But though she was so dreadfully skeered, the pooty color didn’t leave her cheeks an atom.  Lightnin’ spikes!  Let me catch my gals paintin’ and I’ll—­”

But he was prevented from telling what he’d do by Fanny, who clapped her hands and said, “Oh, father, you are a dear good man; may we really go?”

“I thought Fanny would be pleased with the idea,” said Mr. Miller, “and even if she had objected, I was going to send the doctor out, and I know he would bring her to terms.”

Fanny blushed and her father said, “Do you think so?  Well, I’m glad on’t.  I’d as soon she’d have him as anybody, and she’s worthy of him too, for if she can love such a hideous old clown as I am, she’ll stick to such a nice man as Dr. Lacey through thick and thin.  But what do you say to goin’, Tempest?”

Julia had at first thought that nothing could induce her to become a pupil of Mr. Miller, but his allusion to Dr. Lacey decided her otherwise.  It was necessary that she should go, for she did not dare trust her sister alone with the doctor; so she swallowed her dislike to Mr. Miller, and said she should be delighted to return to school.

It was settled that they should go during the next week.