"Won't let you nothing," said Ralph, scornfully. "She's to be kept out." "She--she--" stammered Miss Evelina, "she's up there now." Ralph started upstairs. Half-way up, he heard the murmur of voices, and went up more quietly. He stepped lightly along the hall and stood just outside Araminta's door, shamelessly listening. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself," said an indignant feminine voice. "The idea of a big girl like you not bein' able to stand on a ladder without fallin' off. It's your mother's foolishness cropping out in you, after all I've done for you. I've stood on ladders all my life and never so much as slipped. I believe you did it a purpose, though what you thought you'd get for doin' it puzzles me some. P'raps you thought you'd get out of the housecleanin' but you won't. When it comes time for the Fall cleanin,' you'll do every stroke yourself, to pay for all this trouble and expense. Do you know what it's costin'? Four dollars and a half of good money! I should think you'd be ashamed!" "But, Aunt Hitty--" began the girl, pleadingly. "Stop! Don't you 'Aunt Hitty' me," continued the angry voice. "You needn't tell me you didn't fall off that ladder a purpose. Four dollars and a half and all the trouble besides! I hope you'll think of that while you're laying here like a lady and your poor old aunt is slavin' for you, workin' her fingers to the bone." "If I can ever get the four dollars and a half," cried Araminta, with tears in her voice, "I will give it back to you--oh, indeed I will!" At this point, Doctor Ralph Dexter entered the room, his eyes snapping dangerously. "Miss Mehitable," he said with forced calmness, "will you kindly come downstairs a moment? I wish to speak to you." Dazed and startled, Miss Mehitable rose from her chair and followed him. There was in Ralph's voice a quality which literally compelled obedience. He drew her into the dusty parlour and closed all the doors carefully. Miss Evelina was nowhere to be seen. "I was standing in the hall," said Ralph, coolly, "and I heard every word you said to that poor, helpless child. You ought to know, if you know anything at all, that nobody ever fell off a step-ladder on purpose. She's hurt, and she's badly hurt, and she's not in any way to blame for it, and I positively forbid you ever to enter that room again." "Forbid!" bristled Aunt Hitty. "Who are you?" she demanded sarcastically, "to 'forbid' me from nursing my own niece!" "I am the attending physician," returned Ralph, calmly. "It is my case, and nobody else is going to manage it. I have already arranged with--the lady who lives here--to take care of Araminta, and----" "Arrange no such thing," interrupted Miss Hitty, violently. Her temper was getting away from her. "One moment," interrupted Ralph. "If I hear of your entering that room again before I say Araminta is cured, I will charge you just exactly one hundred dollars for my services, and collect it by law."