uld go out tramping in it, or cab-riding, or what-not.
She was athletic, and loved exercise in the open air, no matter what the
weather might be. But the second sister was just like a pussy-cat; she
loved comfort and the warm corners. However, being left alone by Belle,
and nobody coming in to call for several days, Hortense was completely
overpowered by loneliness.

She had nothing within herself to fight off nervousness and depression.
So, having caught a little, sniffly cold, she decided that she was sick
and went to bed.

The Starkweather girls did not each have a maid. Mr. Starkweather could
not afford that luxury. But Hortense at once requisitioned one of the
housemaids to wait upon her and of course Mrs. Olstrom's very
carefully-thought-out system was immediately turned topsy-turvy.

"I cannot allow you, Miss, to have the services of Maggie all day long,"
Helen heard the housekeeper announce at the door of the invalid's room.
"We are not prepared to do double work in this house. You must either
speak to your father and have a nurse brought in, or wait upon yourself."

"Oh, you heartless, wicked thing!" cried Hortense. "How can you be so
cruel? I couldn't wait upon myself. I want my broth. And I want my hair
done. And you can see yourself how the room is all in a mess. And----"

"Maggie must do her parlor work to-day. You know that. If you want to be
waited upon, Miss, get your sister to do it," concluded the housekeeper,
and marched away.

"And she very well knows that Belle has gone out somewhere and Flossie is
at school. I could _die_ here, and nobody would care," wailed Hortense.

Helen walked into the richly furnished room. Hortense was crying into her
pillow. Her hair was still in two unkempt braids and she _did_ need a
fresh boudoir cap and gown.

"Can I do anything to help you, 'Tense?" asked Helen, cheerfully.

"Oh, dear me--no!" exclaimed her cousin. "You're so loud and noisy. And
do, _do_ call me by my proper name."

"I forgot. Sure, I'll call you anything you say," returned the Western
girl, smiling at her. Meanwhile she was moving about the room, deftly
putting things to rights.

"I'm going to tell father the minute he comes home!" wailed Hortense,
ignoring her cousin for the time and going back to her immediate troubles.
"I am left all alone--and I'm sick--and nobody cares--and--and----"

"Where do you keep your caps, Hortense?" interrupted Helen. "And if you'll
let me, I'll brush your h