``O dear, of course it is! I might have known,
if I'd thought; but Pete and Eliza have spoiled
me. They never take days out at meal time--
both together, I mean--until to-night.''

``But, my dear child, what will you do?''

``I don't know. I've got to think. I _must_ do
something!''

``Of course you must! I'd come over myself
if it wasn't for my cold.''

``As if I'd let you!''

``There isn't anybody here, only Tommy.
Even Alice is gone. Oh, Billy, Billy, this only
goes to prove what I've always said, that _no_
woman _ought_ to be a wife until she's an efficient
housekeeper; and--''

``Yes, yes, Aunt Hannah, I know,'' moaned
Billy, frenziedly. ``But I am a wife, and I'm not
an efficient housekeeper; and Hugh Calderwell
won't wait for me to learn. He's coming to-night.
_To-night!_ And I've got to do something. Never
mind. I'll fix it some way. Good-by!''

``But, Billy, Billy! Oh, my grief and conscience,''
fluttered Aunt Hannah's voice across