“I can go out and get some more,” returned Grace stubbornly. “It isn’t necessary. We’re getting a quart of milk a day extra already. You fix the cauliflower as I said.” “Well, what about what Mrs. Merwent says?” inquired Grace impudently. “I am mistress here. You do as I say, or leave the house,” ordered Lucy angrily. “I dunno as I have to do either,” sneered Grace. Lucy went into the dining room and returned with some money. “Here are your wages. Get out of the house,” she commanded, a curious expression in her eyes that impressed Grace against her will. “Mrs. Winter----” the girl began to parley. “Get your things together and go,” repeated Lucy, moving slowly toward her. Grace backed out of the kitchen, and, turning, ascended the stairs, sobbing. She was followed by Lucy. In a few minutes the two came through the upstairs hall. Grace had her hat and coat on and carried her suit case in her hand. Nannie, hearing the girl’s sobs, opened her door and looked out. “Why, Grace, what in the world is the matter?” she queried. “Oh, Mrs. Merwent, Mrs. Winter is sending me away,” cried the girl. “Now, Lucy,” Nannie began, taking hold of her daughter’s arm. Lucy shook off Nannie’s hand and faced her threateningly. “Will you keep out of this, Mother?” she asked with a suppressed vehemence that staggered Nannie. “Come now. Go at once,” Lucy told Grace, who, cowed as she was, allowed herself, without further protest, to be bundled down the stairs and through the front door. Lucy then went to the kitchen to complete the preparations for dinner. Mrs. Merwent came after her, sad and injured. “Mother!” Nannie repeated, echoing Lucy’s intonation. “You’ll be calling me Mrs. Merwent next! Lucy, you are certainly the hardest hearted----” “Please! Don’t talk to me,” interrupted Lucy. “But, Lucy----” “Don’t talk to me!” ordered Lucy, her voice shrill. Nannie retreated to her bedroom. Soon after John entered the house whistling. Meeting no one in the hall and living room, he peered into the kitchen. “Where’s Nannie?” he inquired of Lucy. “I don’t know,” she replied shortly. “What are you doing in the kitchen? Where’s your girl?” he persisted. “I don’t know,” reiterated Lucy in the same tone. Nannie, who had heard John’s voice, hurried down the stairs and came into the kitchen. “Let me help you put the dinner on, Lucy,” she offered, after smiling at John. “Please leave me alone,” answered Lucy in the same hostile enigmatic manner. “Whew!” ejaculated John. “Let me get out of this! Come on, Nannie!” And the two went into the living room. When Lucy had placed the dinner on the table, she returned to her bedroom. The meal had not been announced and it was not until Dimmie, entering the living room, wanted to know why Papa and Nannie did not come to dinner, that Nannie followed the child back to the dining room and discovered the cooling dishes.