“No, thank you, Mamma. It isn’t much and it’ll be done in a minute.” “Now you mustn’t hesitate to ask me to do anything I can,” went on the older woman. “I don’t want to be a burden on John and you. I want you to realize that I am willing to help and that I cherish no ill feeling about anything that has happened.” Lucy looked at her in surprise. “Well, you rest up today from your journey,” she answered after a moment. She was placing dishes in the china cupboard. “You must be tired.” “I never saw such a poor service on any railway,” resumed Mrs. Merwent, having interrupted the conversation by going into the dining room and bringing a rocking chair out into the kitchen for herself. “There were no sterilized drinking cups and no electric lights in the berths. I don’t think they should be allowed to run such old, out-of-date cars.” Lucy worked a moment in silence. “But I must say the service on the diner was good,” pursued Nannie. “I had some fried spring chicken that was so tender and juicy it fairly melted in your mouth.” “I haven’t been on any but a suburban train since our wedding journey,” Lucy observed. “Oh, Lucy, what a terrible time that was for me!” Mrs. Merwent drew out her handkerchief. “I thought you said in your letter that we wouldn’t discuss what happened, Mamma,” Lucy accused gently. “Oh, Lucy, anyone who went through what I did can’t forget it all at once,” Mrs. Merwent protested. Lucy was silent again. “But I cherish no hard feelings,” Nannie went on, “although poor Mother never got over your going away.” After a few moments Nannie returned to the subject of travel. “Don’t you ever go away from the city, Lucy? I should think it would be dull staying in one place so long.” “We can’t afford travelling.” Lucy spoke emphatically. “Well, I can’t either, now.” Mrs. Merwent settled herself more comfortably in the rocking chair. “It was only the kindness of my dear friend, Professor Walsh, that made it possible for me to have any comfort at all on the way. He came part way with me and arranged that I was to be looked after until the end of my journey.” Lucy busied herself with the preparations for luncheon. “I do wonder if my trunks are safe!” exclaimed Nannie after a short pause. “I didn’t like the looks of the man who took the checks.” “They’re safe,” Lucy assured her. “Don’t worry about them.” “Have you got a cup of coffee made, Lucy?” her mother then asked, surveying the kitchen. “Why, I thought you and John had had breakfast,” Lucy apologised. “We did, but it was so early and I was so excited I hardly ate a bite. If you could let me have a cup of coffee and a tea cake or two--I’m afraid it will give me the headache if I eat nothing until luncheon.” “Why, of course, Mamma. It’ll only take me a minute to make coffee.” Lucy measured the water as she spoke. “I thought it was already fixed or I wouldn’t have asked for it,” protested Nannie. “I don’t want to make any extra work.”