like a long
nightmare. This was Anthony Dexter--this boy with the quick, light
step, the ringing laugh, the broad shoulders and clear, true eyes. No
terror lay between them, all was straight and right; yet the
realisation still enshrouded her like a black cloud.

"And," said Miss Hitty, mournfully, "after ail my patience and hard
work in bringing up Araminta as a lady should be brought up, and having
taught her to beware of men and even of boys, she's took away from me
when she's sick, and nobody allowed to see her except a blackmailing
play-doctor, who is putting Heaven knows what devilment into her head.
I suppose there's nothing to prevent me from finishing the
housecleaning, if I don't speak to my own niece as I pass her door?"

She spoke inquiringly, but Miss Evelina did not reply.

"Most folks," continued Miss Hitty, with asperity, "is pleased enough
to have their houses cleaned for 'em to say 'thank you,' but I'm some
accustomed to ingratitude. What I do now in the way of cleanin' will
be payin' for the nursin' of Araminta."

Still Miss Evelina did not answer, her thoughts being far away.

"Maybe I did speak cross to Minty," admitted Miss Hitty, grudgingly,
"at a time when I had no business to. If I did, I'm willin' to tell
her so, but not that blackmailing play-doctor with a hundred-dollar
bill for a club. I was clean out of patience with Minty for falling
off the ladder, but I guess, as he says, she didn't go for to do it.
'T ain't in reason for folks to step off ladders or out of windows
unless they're walkin' in their sleep, and I've never let Minty sleep
in the daytime."

Unceasingly, Miss Mehitable prattled on. Reminiscence, anecdote, and
philosophical observations succeeded one another with startling
rapidity, ending always in vituperation and epithet directed toward
Araminta's physician. Dark allusions to the base ingratitude of
everybody with whom Miss Hitty had ever been concerned alternately
cumbered her speech. At length the persistent sound wore upon Miss
Evelina, much as the vibration of sound may distress one totally deaf.

The kitchen door was open and Miss Evelina went outdoors. Miss
Mehitable continued to converse, then shortly perceived that she was
alone. "Well, I never!" she gasped. "Guess I'll go home!"

Her back was very stiff and straight when she marched downhill, firmly
determined to abandon Evelina, scorn Doctor Ralph Dexter, and leave
Araminta to her well-deserved f