song as she worked. As if to add to the irony of the situation, the
small laborer quietly lifted the pan and moved it to a position she
thought more convenient. This was the last touch. With a stifled
murmur of intense exasperation, Varick put forth all his strength in a
supreme effort. The pan fell, the water and broken blue dishes
covering the floor. He sprang back and stood aghast, gazing at the
havoc he had wrought.

"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" murmured the voice at his side. "I never dreamed
you could do it, or I would not have suggested it. Oh, oh, the poor
little darling!"

For the stout woman at the tub had hastily dropped her work, crossed
the room, and was soundly chastising the unhappy infant who she
supposed was responsible for the mischief. Varick caught her arm.

"Oh, I say," he cried, "this won't do at all! She didn't do it; it was
all my fault. I'll pay for the things. Here--here--"

He fumbled in his pockets as he spoke and pulled out several gold
pieces. But the fat arm of the old woman offered no resistance to his
grasp, and the gold pieces did not exist for her. It was evident that
she saw neither him nor them, nor the woman with him. With an
unsparing hand she spanked the child, whose voice rose in shrill
lamentations. Varick and his companion in guilt crept out of the room
with a sense of great helplessness upon them, and he breathed a long
breath of relief at finding himself--in bed, with a cold February sun
shining in through his windows, and the faithful Parker at his side
with the quieting announcement that his bath was ready.