“I like scalloped potatoes best,” specified Nannie. “All right. I’ll fix ’em that way. And the salad, shall I fix mayonnaise or French dressing?” “Mayonnaise, if it’s not too much work.” “Oh, I don’t mind the work.” Grace laughed. “I want to have things as you like ’em.” She picked up the tray. “If you want me, just call me,” she reminded Nannie, and departed as before, humming the same song. Lucy came into the kitchen a little later. “You can get the potatoes ready to bake, Grace,” she directed, “and make the French dressing for the salad while they are baking.” “I was goin’ to scallop the potatoes,” objected Grace. “Mrs. Merwent said she liked ’em that way, and she wanted mayonnaise for the salad.” “Well, I don’t care, if you have time to do it. Mr. Winter likes to have his dinner promptly.” “I’ll get it in time, all right, all right. You just leave me alone,” stipulated Grace. * * * * * It was several days before Lucy made an issue of Grace. About ten o’clock one morning, missing the girl from the kitchen, she tapped at the door of the servant’s room. Receiving no response to her knock, and hearing the sound of snoring, she looked in. Finding Grace asleep, she awakened her. “Haven’t you anything to do, Grace? Go and start luncheon at once.” The girl descended the stairs, Lucy following her. “You can hash and brown the potatoes that were left. They’re in the refrigerator.” “There ain’t no potatoes left,” objected Grace sulkily. “Why, where are they? I told you to save them for luncheon.” “I throwed ’em away.” “What did you mean by throwing them away after I told you to put them in the refrigerator?” “I don’t like warmed over things,” Grace informed her insolently. “You will not be needed after tomorrow, Grace,” pronounced Lucy angrily. “Your week is up then. Of course I will pay you an extra week’s wages.” “Why, what have I done, Mrs. Winter?” was the answer in a tone of injured innocence. “We need not discuss it. It is sufficient that I shall not require your services after tomorrow.” “If you are hinting that I took that money, Mrs. Winter, I will just let you know that there is protection for a girl who is accused falsely of stealing.” “I’m not accusing you,” returned Lucy. “The money disappeared. So did a dollar bill I purposely placed on the table. I have no proof that you took either sum, but I am not compelled to keep anyone in my employ unless I wish, so we will consider the matter settled.” Grace sought Nannie’s room without delay. Not long after, Nannie presented herself in the living room where Lucy was engaged in straightening some papers on the desk. The girl had remained upstairs. “What are you discharging Grace for, Lucy?” Nannie began excitedly. “I think I have good reasons, Mamma, or I shouldn’t do it.” “I’m afraid you are prejudiced against her, Lucy. She complains to me that you are not treating her fairly.” “I must be the judge of what I am doing, Mamma.”