ng. "I don't wanter complain, Miss Redmond, but we ain't had any
such a houseful since Parson Thayer's last conference met here, and not
so many then; only three ministers and two wives, though, of course,
ministers make more work. But I wouldn't say a word, Miss Redmond,
about the work, if it wasn't for that young woman that puts on such
airs coming and getting your tray. I ain't used to that."

Sallie paused, like any good orator, while her main thesis gained
impressiveness from silence. It was only too evident that her feelings
were hurt.

Agatha considered the matter, but before replying came farther into the
kitchen and touched the tip of a finger to one of Sallie's loaves,
lifting it to show its golden brown crust.

"You're an expert at bread, Sallie, I can see that," she said heartily.
"I shouldn't have got over my accident half so well if it hadn't been
for your good food and your care, and I want you to know that I
appreciate it." She was reluctant to discuss the maid, but her cordial
liking for Sallie counseled frankness. "Don't mind about Lizzie. I
thought you had too much to do, and that she might just as well help
you, but if she bothers you, we won't have it. And now tell me where
Mrs. Stoddard and the others are."

Sallie's symptoms indicated that she was about to be propitiated; but
she had yet a desire to make her position clear to Miss Redmond. "It's
all right; only I've taken care of the china for seventeen years, and
it don't seem right to let her handle it. And she told me herself that
anybody that had any respect for their hands wouldn't do kitchen work.
And if her hands are too good for kitchen work, I'm sure I don't want
her messing round here. She left the tea on the stove till it
_boiled_, Miss Redmond, just yesterday."

Agatha smiled. "I'm sure Lizzie doesn't know anything about cooking,
Sallie, and she shall not bother you any more."

Sallie turned a rather less melancholy face toward Agatha. "It's been
fairly lonesome since the parson died. I'm glad you've come to the red
house." The words came from Sallie's lips gruffly and ungraciously,
but Agatha knew that they were sincere. She knew better, however, than
to appear to notice them. In a moment Sallie went on: "Mrs. Stoddard,
she's asleep in the front spare room. Said for me to call her at
twelve."

"Poor woman! She must be tired," said Agatha.

"Aunt Susan's a stout woman, Miss Redmond. She didn't go to bed unt