So alarmed for you. You looked So ill and worn and--aren't the
Christmas crowds awful this year? and nothing fit to buy and such
prices! and--you must be just worn out. You really must spare
yourself, for do you Know what you Did, dearest. You went right By
me without Seeing me, or Answering me! Yes, you did! I was so
startled that I didn't have brains enough to run after you and assist
you home. I'm so glad you got there alive and I Do hope you're
feeling better and I'm so aShamed of myself for letting you go all
that way aLone in that pitiful conDition. Can you ever forGive me?"

When Mr. Budlong came home for luncheon, Mrs. Budlong told him the
whole story. He glared at her with an I-give-you-up expression and
growled:

"And when she said all that, what did you say?"

"I don't know." Mrs. Budlong faltered. "All I know is that she's
coming over this afternoon with a lot of that wine jelly I gave her
the receipt for."

"And what do you intend to do this time?" Mr. Budlong demanded. The
skeptic in his tone stung her to revolt. She could usually be strong
in the presence of her husband. She looked at least like Mrs.
Boadicea as she said:

"I intend to tell Sally Swezey what you told me to. And I will
accept no apologies, none whatever."

When Mr. Budlong came home to dinner she avoided his gaze. She
confessed that she had changed her program. She hadn't the heart to