you there the day before?"

Adele covered her face with her hands without replying.

"I want to know when you were there," said Dr. Raymond sternly.

"I--I don't remember," said the girl with a sob. "Oh, Uncle William, it
was so hot, and I--I got tired of it; but I will go. I'll go right now."

She started for the basket as she spoke, but a gesture from her uncle
arrested her.

"Wait," he said. "Beatrice, why did you not see that Rachel's needs were
attended to?"

"I thought they were," answered Bee, growing pale. "Adele was to look
after the matter."

"Adele has been careless and negligent," observed her father severely,
"but that does not ease you of responsibility. It was your place to have
seen that my wishes in the matter were carried out."

"But, father--"

"I will listen to no excuse, Beatrice," interrupted Doctor Raymond
decidedly. "There can be none, and it is useless to try to shield
yourself behind your cousin. Whatever excuse Adele may have for her
neglect you have none. That old woman was your mother's faithful servant
for many years. It was your duty, and should have been your pleasure, to
have seen that she was taken care of. I thought," he continued with some
emotion, "that every girl welcomed an opportunity to minister to those
in need. I thought that every maiden gently reared was actuated by
motives of honor and truth, and would sacredly discharge a duty
intrusted to her. It seems that I was mistaken. I fear that I do not
understand girls of the present age. If it were possible I would gladly
take this matter into my own hands, but I cannot spare the time."

"Uncle, please, please try me again," pleaded Adele eagerly. "I really
will be faithful this time. Bee and I both will be. Won't we, Bee?"

Bee was dumb. She was overwhelmed by her father's words, and her
conscience reproached her. There had been several occasions when she
suspected that Adele was not performing the duty. In view of the fact
that she had failed before, she knew that she herself ought to have
looked after the matter more carefully.

"I do not quite trust either of you," spoke Doctor Raymond thoughtfully,
"but because I believe that it will be of benefit to your characters to
insist upon this act of charity I shall try again. If it is a tax upon
you, let one go one day, and the other the next. Rest assured, however,
that I shall watch the matter closely to see that it is attended to. If
there is any shirking I shall k