almost three thousand dollars from your infernal dressmaker? How can I
stop your running up such bills?" And she would answer coolly: "By paying
them every year or so."

She knew--she had always known since she was a little girl--that from
this situation, only marriage could rescue her, and from the worse
situation that would follow her father's death; for she suspected that he
was deeply in debt. Not having been brought up in a sentimental school
she was prepared to do her share in arranging such a marriage. In the
world in which she lived, competition was severe. Already she had seen a
possible husband carried off under her nose by a little school-room mouse
who had had the aid of an efficient mother.

But now for the first time in her life, she saw that the game was in her
own hands. She had only to do the right thing--only perhaps to avoid
doing the wrong one--and her future was safe.

She heard Riatt calling and she followed him into the laundry, where he
had collected some candles: he was much engaged in lighting a fire in
the stove.

"But wouldn't the kitchen range be better?" she asked.

"No water turned on," he answered.

To her this answer was utterly unintelligible. What, she wondered, was
the connection between fire and water. But, rather characteristically,
she was disinclined to ask. She walked to the sink, however, and turned
the tap; a long husky cough came from it, but no water.