The Washington herald., 1910-06-17
CHAPTER v.


From the Tree OF Love.
There is hardly any uss trying TO de-
scribe what followed. Anne Brown be-
gan to cry, and talk about the children.
(She went to Europe once and stayed
until they all got over the whooping-
cough) And Dallas said he had a pull,
because his mill controlled I forget how
many votes, and the thing to do was
TO be quiet and comfortable and We would
get out in the morning. Max took it as
huge joke, and somebody found him
at the telephone. calling up his club. The
Mercer girls were Historically giggipg.
and Aunt Selma sat on a stiff-hacked
chair and took aromatic spirits Of am
monia.. AS for Jim. he had collapsed on
the lowest step OF the stairs. and sat
there with his head in his hands. When
he did look up. he didn't dare TO look
at me.
The HARRISON man was arguing with
the impassive individual on the top step
outside, and I saw him get out his peck
etbook and offer a crisp bundle Of bills.
But the man from the board of health
only smiled and tackled at bis offensive
sign. After while Mr.. HARRISON came
in and closed the door. and we stared at
one another.
II know what Tn going TO do I said.
swallowing lump in my throat. I'm
going to get out through a basement win
dow at the back. I'm going home
''Home!" Aunt Selma gasped. jumping
up and almost dropping her ammonia
bottle My dear Bella Homer"
Jimmy groaned at the foot OF the stairs,
but Anne Brown was getting over her
tears and now she turned on me in a
temper.
IT'S all your fsait" she said. II was
going to stay al home. and get little
sleep
well you cal sleep now" Dallas
broke in. ''ThereE be nothing to do but
! sleep"
7 think you haven't grasped the sit
uation, Dali I said icily. There viii
be plenty to do. There isn't servant in
| the house!"
mo servants!" everybody cried at once.
The Mercer girls stopped g1ggling.
Holy cats!" Max stopped in the act
OF hanging up his overeoat. do you
mean-why. I can't shave myself I'll
cut my head off,
You'll do more than that" I retorted
grimly. You will carry coal and tend
fires and empty ash pans; and when you
are not doing any of those things there
will be posts and pans to wash and beds
10 make"
Then there was a row We had worked
back to the den now. and ] stood in front
Of the fireplace and let the storm beat
around me, and tried to look perfectly
cold and Indifferent, and not 10 see Mr..
Harbison's shocked face No wonder he
thought them a lot Of savages. browbeat-
ing their hostess the way they did.
tits a fool thing anyhow" Max Reed
wound up, ito celebrate the anniversary
Of a rce-especlally-" Here he
caught Jlm's eye and stopped. But l
had suddenly remembered. Bella down
in the basement!
Could anything have been worse? And
Of course she would have hysteria and
then turn on me and blame me for ii all.
1t all came over me at once and over
whelmed me. while Anne was crying and
saying she wouldn't cook II she starved
for il. and Aunt Selma was taking of
her wraps. felt queer all over, and
sat down suddenly. Mr.. HARRISON was
looking at me. and he brought me glass
OF wine.
at won't be so bad as you fear" he
said confortingly There viii be no
danger once we are vaccinated, and many
hands make light work. They are pretty
raw now. because the thing IS new to
them. but by morning they VIII be rec
| onciled."
1T isn't the work; II is something en-
tirely different" I said And it was.
Bella and work could hardly be spoken
| In the same breath.
IfI had Onlv ftlrnad her nut &C cha Ia
served to be, when she first came. instead