fidence. "Dearie," she began, "I room the
swellest people in the whole perfession. That's why I'm so mad. Here
I took in that Clare Crosby. And what did she do to me?--'Aunt Clare!'
Think of _me_ swallerin' such stuff! Well, you bet I'm goin' to let
Felix Hull know all there is to know, and--the kid is big enough to
understand."

Now Sue put out a quick hand. "Ah, but you haven't the heart to hurt a
child!"

"Haven't I! You just wait till I have my talk with her 'Aunt Clare'!"

"We haven't been able to locate her."

Tottie's face fell. "No? Then I know a way to git even, and to git my
pay. There's the newspapers--y' think they won't grab at this?" She
jerked her red head toward the wedding-bell. "Just a 'phone, 'Long
lost wife is found, or how a singer broke up a weddin'.'"

"Oh, no!" Hattie raised a frightened face to that upper window of the
study.

"By Heaven!" stormed Balcome, stamping the grass.

"Now, I know you're joking!" declared Sue. "Yes, you are!"

"Yes, I _ain't_!"

"Ah, you can't fool me! No, indeed! You wouldn't think of doing such
a thing--a woman who stands so high in her profession!"

Tottie's eyelids fluttered, as if at a light too brilliant to endure;
and she caught her breath like one who has drunk an over-generous
draught. "Aw--er--um." Her hand went up to her throat. She
swallowed. Then recovering herself, "Dearie, you're not only a lady,
but you're discernin'--that's the word!--discernin'." She laid a hand
appreciatively on Sue's arm.

Sue patted the hand. "Ha-ha!" she laughed. "I could see that you were
acting! The very first minute you came through that door--'That woman
is an artist'--that's what I said to myself--'a great artist---in her
line.' For you can _act_. Oh, Miss St. Clair, _how_ you can act!"

Tottie seemed to grow under the praise, to lengthen and to expand.
"Well, I do flatter myself that I have talent," she conceded. "I've
played with the best of 'em. And as I say,----"

"Exactly," agreed Sue. "Now, what _I_ was about to remark was this:
We're thinking very seriously of traveling--several of us--yes. And
before we go, I feel that I'd like you to have a small token of my
appreciation of what you've done for--for Miss Crosby--a small token to
an artist----"

"Dearie," interrupted Tottie, "I couldn't think of it."

"Oh, just a little something--for being so kind to her."

"Not a cent. Y' know, I've got a steady income--yes, alimony.