"I'se wished many a time, more lately'n I used ter, dat I could take some fair cretur I lobed ter my heart, and dat 'tween us we had money 'nuff ter start a restauration or sometin' ob dat sort." Clo sniffed a little. "In dem places de wurk all comes on de woman," said she. Dolf was quite aware of that fact; it was the one thing which made him contemplate the idea with favor. "Oh, not at all," he said, "de cookin's a trifle; tink ob de 'counts; my head's good at figures." "Dey kind o' puzzles me," Clo confided to him softly. "Tain't 'spected in the fair sect," said Dolf; "dey nebber ort to trouble 'emselves 'bout sich matters." Then Dolf sighed. "Yer wonders what's de matter," he said; "I was jis lamentin' dat I hadn't been able to save as much as I could wish, so dat I could realise sich a dream." "Laws," cried Clo, so agitated and confused she was about to speak the words he so longed to hear; "how much wud it take? Does yer tink dat if a woman had--" "I say Clo, where be yer?" The interruption was a cruel one to both the darkeys, though from different reasons; the voice was Victoria's. "Clo!" she called again, in considerable wrath, "jis' you answer now." Clo sprang up in high indignation. Dolf mounted a couple of steps and appeared to be diligently searching for something in a closet. Victoria opened the kitchen door, looked out and tossed her head angrily when she saw the pair. "I s'pose I might a split my throat callin', and yer wouldn't a answered," she cried. "I'se 'bout my business," said Clo, grimly, "jis' mind yours." "I s'pose Mr. Dolf am 'bout his business too," retorted Vic. Dolf turned around from the closet and asked sweetly, "Did you 'dress me, Miss Vic?" "No, I didn't, and don't mean ter. But Miss Elsie's woke up, and wants some jelly and a bird; where am dey, Clo?" "Look whar dey be and ye'll find 'em," replied Clo. "Ef they hain't gone down dat ol' preacher's throat it's lucky," cried Vic, slamming the door after her, thus defeating poor Dolf in the very moment of success. CHAPTER LXXI. FUTILE PLEADINGS. Elsie was better that morning. When the physician arrived he pronounced her much improved, and confessed to Mellen that he had at first feared an attack upon the brain, but he believed now it was only the result of a severe nervous paroxysm. This time he made no inquiries of Mellen concerning his wife; the manner in which they had been received on the previous day did not invite a renewal of the subject. Elsie was eager to get up, after her usual habit, the moment she began to feel better; but the doctor ordered her to lie in bed, at least for that day. "But I want to get up so badly," said she, when her brother returned to the chamber; "I am so tired of lying here." "Just have patience for to-day; the doctor would not allow the least exertion." "He's a cross old thing!" pouted Elsie, with a faint return to her old manner, which made Mellen both sigh and smile.