grown up with it."

"I acted for the best," her husband grumbled. "Such things are coming
up in life all the time. But when women are mixed up in 'em, there's
no making them see straight. It wasn't fitting that Gloria should have
everything explained to her at the start. It wasn't businesslike. When
she comes into full control of things herself, it will be different. I
am afraid Richards is not quite the man to have charge of things down
there. I have given him his own way too much. But one has to with
Richards. He's a good collector."

"But the stair-rail, dear," interposed his wife. "Stair-railings should
be secure, above all things."

"Yes, Richards ought to have seen that everything was safe. I cannot
understand a glaring negligence like that. He's always given me the
impression that things were kept very fairly shipshape." Having said
this, Mr. McAndrew rose and began pacing the veranda.

"Richards said it was a poor, half-witted creature," he murmured, as
though thinking aloud.

"But, dear," interposed his wife, "half-witted creatures can be killed!"

Aunt Em's thoughts seemed to be keeping pace with those of the man
marching up and down the piazza floor.

"Oh, she won't die. That sort o' folks don't," her husband answered.

And at that moment Gloria was standing in Rose's room in No. 80,