him. Great Scott! Was _that_ what ailed them?''

``I reckon it was. Alice says that since then
Mrs. Henshaw has fairly haunted the kitchen,
begging Eliza to teach her everything, _every single
thing_ she knows!''

Calderwell chuckled.

``If that isn't just like Billy! She never does
anything by halves. By George, but she was
game over that dinner! I can see it all now.''

``Alice says she's really learning to cook, in
spite of old Pete's horror, and Eliza's pleadings
not to spoil her pretty hands.''

``Then Pete is back all right? What a faithful
old soul he is!''

Arkwright frowned slightly.

``Yes, he's faithful, but he isn't all right, by
any means. I think he's a sick man, myself.''

``What makes Billy let him work, then?''

``Let him!'' sniffed Arkwright. ``I'd like to
see you try to stop him! Mrs. Henshaw begs and
pleads with him to stop, but he scouts the idea.