, the
days before Mr. Randolph would be at home again.

Still, it was not a very long waiting time, after all, and one
bright morning Polly entered the private office of the president of
the Paper Company.

Now that she was actually there, face to face with the "lovable
man" in whom she found so much to admire, she hardly knew how to
begin. But, suddenly realizing that the president's time was
precious, she dashed into the matter at once.

"It is about the Home, Mr. Randolph, that I have been wanting to
see you for so long. I was coming right after Miss Twining got
sick, and then you were ill yourself. Before you were well enough
to see visitors you went away, and there hasn't been a single
chance until now. Oh, Mr. Randolph, do you know how affairs are
going on over there? Haven't you ever guessed?"

"Why--what do you mean, Polly? Nothing wrong, is there?"

"Everything!" Polly's hands dropped with emphasis into her lap.
"None of the ladies have dared say a word, because if they find any
fault they are liable to be turned out. So they have borne it all
as well as they could. I wanted to come to you a good while ago,
but they wouldn't hear to it. Finally things got to such a pass
that we four, Miss Nita, Mrs. Albright, Miss Crilly, and I, said
that something must be done. We thought you were the best one to
tell, for you have always been such a friend--we could trust you'"

"You can, Polly!" He smiled across to her. "You need not be
afraid of my divulging the source of my information."

"Oh, I don't care if folks do know my part in it, but the others
would rather you wouldn't give their names--unless it is necessary.
Miss Sniffen turned me out weeks ago!"

"Turned you out? For what?"

"Oh, because I told Miss Lily to cling to the balustrade so she
wouldn't fall! That is, it started there. She said I'd got the
ladies into all sorts of scrapes. She scolded me for lots of
things--one was that dance in the pasture. She said it was
scandalous. I don't care so much what she does to me, only my not
seeing Miss Nita. But the ladies are actually afraid of their
lives! When Miss Twining was abused so, those that knew wondered
whose turn would come next. Why, Mr. Randolph, Miss Sniffen almost
killed Miss Twining!--Oh, of course, she didn't mean to!" For the
man had started up with an exclamation of horror. "I think she was
thoroughly frightened when Miss Twining fainted."

"But what did she do?"