"And she speaks good English, Billy, like a school teacher, like
what I guess my mother used to speak. She's educated."

"She ain't no fool, or she wouldn't a-sized you up the way she
did."

"She told me to congratulate you on your good taste in marrying
me," Saxon laughed.

"She did, eh? Then give her my love. Me for her, because she
knows a good thing when she sees it, an' she ought to be
congratulating you on your good taste in me."

It was on another day that Mercedes Higgins nodded, half to
Saxon, and half to the dainty women's things Saxon was hanging on
the line.

"I've been worrying over your washing, little new-wife," was her
greeting.

"Oh, but I've worked in the laundry for years," Saxon said
quickly.

Mercedes sneered scornfully.

"Steam laundry. That's business, and it's stupid. Only common
things should go to a steam laundry. That is their punishment for
being common. But the pretties! the dainties! the flimsies!--la
la, my dear, their washing is an art. It requires wisdom, genius,
and discretion fine as the clothes are fine. I will give you a