they were. She was bland,
impersonal and pleasant, as it was her wont to be. Still to-day,
through this her usual manner that gave her such success in her
practice as a midwife, there shone an uneasy consciousness of guilt,
for like all who had to do with the good Anna, Mrs. Lehntman dreaded
her firm character, her vigorous judgments and the bitter fervour of
her tongue.

It had been plain to see in the six years these women were together,
how Anna gradually had come to lead. Not really lead, of course, for
Mrs. Lehntman never could be led, she was so very devious in her ways;
but Anna had come to have direction whenever she could learn what Mrs.
Lehntman meant to do before the deed was done. Now it was hard to
tell which would win out. Mrs. Lehntman had her unhearing mind and her
happy way of giving a pleasant well diffused attention, and then she
had it on her side that, after all, this thing was already done.

Anna was, as usual, determined for the right. She was stiff and pale
with her anger and her fear, and nervous, and all a tremble as was her
usual way when a bitter fight was near.

Mrs. Lehntman was easy and pleasant as she came into the room. Anna
was stiff and silent and very white.

"We haven't seen you for a long time, Anna," Mrs. Lehntman cordially
began. "I was just gettin' worried thinking you was sick. My! but it's
a hot day to-day. Come into the sittin'-room, Anna, and Julia will
make us some ice tea."

Anna followed Mrs. Lehntman into the other room in a stiff silence,
and when there she did not, as invited, take a chair.

As always with Anna when a thing had to come it came very short and
sharp. She found it hard to breathe just now, and every word came with
a jerk.

"Mrs. Lehntman, it ain't true what Julia said about your taking that
Lily's boy to keep. I told Julia when she told me she was crazy to
talk so."

Anna's real excitements stopped her breath, and made her words come
sharp and with a jerk. Mrs. Lehntman's feelings spread her breath, and
made her words come slow, but more pleasant and more easy even than
before.

"Why Anna," she began, "don't you see Lily couldn't keep her boy for
she is working at the Bishops' now, and he is such a cute dear little
chap, and you know how fond I am of little fellers, and I thought it
would be nice for Julia and for Willie to have a little brother. You
know Julia always loves to play with babies, and I have to be away
so much, and Willie he is r