“There’s a cup,” he said.  “I allers makes ’em that way when I wants a drink.”  He filled it from the running water and held it up.  Grace drank thirstily, and asked for more.

“And here is something for you,” she said with a smile, as she passed down some chocolates she had slipped into a small pocket of her riding habit.

“Say, is it Christmas, or Fourth of July?” gasped the urchin as he accepted them.  “Thanks, lady.”

Grace again smiled down at him, and Prince, having dipped his muzzle into the cool water again, for very pleasure in having all he wanted, swung about and trotted on.

The distance was not long now, and Grace, noting the gathering clouds, was glad of it.

“I’m sure I don’t want to be caught in a storm,” she said.  “This stuff shrinks so,” and she glanced down at her velvet skirt.  “I wouldn’t have it made up again.  I hope the storm doesn’t spoil Will’s ball game,”

She urged Prince to a faster pace, and, cantering along a quiet stretch of road, was soon at the house of Mr. Ford’s mother.

“Why Grace!” exclaimed the elderly lady, “I expected Will to come over.  Your father said——­ "

“I know, grandma, but Will—­ well, he is wild about baseball, and I said I’d come for him.”

“That was good of you.”

“Oh, no it wasn’t.  I don’t deserve any praise.  Chocolates and Prince—­ a big bribe, grandma.”

“Oh, you young folks!  Well, come in.  Thomas will see to Prince.”

“I can’t stay long.”

“No, I suppose not.  Your father wanted these papers in a hurry.  He would have come himself, but he had some matters to attend to.  And, its being rather a family affair, he did not want to send one of his law clerks.  Those young men tattle so.”

“I wonder if they are any worse than girls, grandma?”

“Oh, much—­ much!  But come in, and I will have Ellen make you a cup of tea.  It is refreshing on a hot day.  Then I will get you the papers.  It is very warm.”

“Yes, I think we will have a shower.”

“Then I must not keep you.  Is everyone well?”

“Yes.  How have you been?”

“Oh, well enough for an old lady.”

“Old, grandma?  I only hope I look as nice as you when I get——­ "

“Now, my dear, no flattery.  I had my share of that when I was younger, though I must say your grandfather knew how to turn a compliment to perfection.  Ah, my dear, there are not many like him now-a-days.  Not many!” and she sighed.

Tea was served in the quaint old dining room, for Mrs. Ford, though keeping up many old customs, had adopted some modern ones, and her house was perfection itself.

“I suppose your brother told you these papers were rather valuable; did he not?” asked Mrs. Ford a little later, as she brought Grace a rather bulky package.

“Yes, grandma.”

“And if they should happen to fall into other hands it might make trouble—­ at least for a time.”