eyes once more, "Well,
I'm not going to see the place pulled to pieces!"

There was scorn written even in Hattie's profile. Sue came quickly to
her mother's defense. "I get mother's viewpoint absolutely," she
declared stoutly. "We've lived here a long time. Naturally, you
see----" Then, with a shake of the head, "But this is Mr. Farvel's home."

Mrs. Milo laughed--a low, musical, well-bred laugh. "His home?" she
repeated, raising delicate brows.

"And he can do as he chooses. If we oppose----"

"I shall oppose." It was said cheerfully. "So let him dismiss you.
I've never touched your father's life insurance, and I can get along
nicely on his pension. And you're a first-class secretary--rector after
rector has said that. So you can easily find another position."

"You find another job, Sue," interposed Hattie, "and my mother will
invite your mother to Buffalo to live. I'll bequeath my room." She
laughed.

Mrs. Milo ignored her. "But while I am forced to live here, I shall
protect the Rectory. Furthermore, I shall tell Mr. Farvel so." She
turned toward the library.

"Oh, mother, no!" Sue followed, and caught at her mother's arm. "Not
today! There's a dear, sweet mother!"

"Sue!" cried Hattie. Her look questioned the other anxiously.

But Mrs. Milo felt no concern for the minister. She freed herself from
Sue's hold. "You seem very much worried about him," she returned
jealously, staring at Sue.

"You think he's unhappy?" persisted Hattie.

"There!" exclaimed Sue. "You see, mother? Hattie's worried, too. It's
natural, isn't it, Hattie?"

"Well, it's all nonsense," pronounced Mrs. Milo. "He isn't unhappy.
Wallace has known him longer than we have, and he says Mr. Farvel has
always been like that."

Sue patted her mother's cheek playfully. "Then let's not make him any
sadder," she said. "Everything must be 'Bless you, my children' around
this place today. We don't want any 'Earth to earth, ashes to ashes.'"
She gave her parent a hearty kiss.

Mrs. Milo was at once mollified. "I hope," she went on gently, "that Mr.
Farvel didn't have to know why Hattie is being married here instead of in
Buffalo."

Sue made a comical face. "I explained," she began roguishly, "that the
Rectory is--er--neutral territory."

"Neutral," repeated Hattie, with a hint of bitterness.

Once more a jealous light had crept into Mrs. Milo's blue eyes. "Why
should you give Mr. Farvel the confidences of t