CHAPTER III. The House of Dreams

In less than an hour, Linda was in the kitchen, dressed in an old
green skirt and an orange blouse. Katy pinned one of her aprons
on the girl and told her that her first job was to set the table.

"And Miss Eileen has given most particular orders that I use the
very best of everything. Lay the table for four, and you are to
be extremely careful in serving not to spill the soup."

Linda stood very quietly for a second, her heavy black brows
drawn together in deep thought.

"When did Eileen issue these instructions?" she inquired.

"Not five minutes ago," said Katy. "She just left me kitchen and
I'll say I never saw her lookin' such a perfect picture. That
new dress of hers is the most becoming one she has ever had."

Almost unconsciously, Linda's hand reached to the front of her
well-worn blouse, and she glanced downward at her skirt and
shoes.

"Um-hm," she said meditatively, "another new dress for Eileen,
which means that I will get nothing until next month's allowance
comes in, if I do then. The table set for four, which,
interpreted, signifies that she has asked Marian in such a way
that Marian won't come. And the caution as to care with the soup