“Now I must go down and see that it doesn’t burn,” remarked Mrs. Merwent, bustling out the door. “I won’t be long,” she called back as she descended the stairs. Lucy rubbed her head again with _eau de Cologne_, lay down on the bed and placed a cloth wet with cold water over her eyes. The afternoon was dull and cloudy and it soon began to rain. Soothed by the patter of drops on the tiled roof of the veranda just outside her window, she gradually relaxed and dozed lightly, but her peace was not for long. In a short time Nannie appeared again. As Lucy heard footsteps in the hall she removed the cloth from her eyes. “Lucy, I wanted to ask you if you think the pudding is ready to take out.” Mrs. Merwent’s manner was agitated. “How long has it been in?” inquired Lucy. “Oh, I haven’t timed it, but one edge is getting brown already.” “Katy will know when it’s done.” Lucy spoke with a visible effort. “I’m afraid to trust her judgment,” Nannie objected. “I’m so anxious for it to be just perfect.” “I’ll go and see,” said Lucy, rising. “Now I didn’t mean for you to go,” protested Mrs. Merwent. “I just wanted your opinion, that was all.” Lucy started into the hall. “Lucy, come back,” besought Nannie, following her. “You know Dr. Hamilton ordered that you should be perfectly quiet. Don’t go, Lucy.” They were at the head of the stairs. “Well, Lucy, if you _will_ go, remember that I didn’t ask you to, and did all I could to keep you from it.” “Why, where is it?” she inquired agitatedly as Lucy reached the kitchen and opened the door of the empty oven. “I done tuk it out, Miss Nannie. H’it’s in de pantry,” explained Katy. “What did you mean by touching my pudding, Katy?” Nannie demanded. “Shucks! H’it ’ud ’a bin all spiled if I hadn’t,” Katy expostulated respectfully, bringing the pudding out for inspection. “It’s just right,” decided Lucy, examining it carefully. “I’m so glad,” announced Nannie with a sigh. “I should have felt awfully if it hadn’t been just perfect.” Lucy turned to enter the dining room. “Now, Lucy, you must go right back to bed,” said her mother. “You shouldn’t have come down at all.” Lucy went through the dining room into the living room without replying. “Please go back to bed,” pleaded Nannie, following her. “No. I’m going to sit up a while,” answered Lucy. “Well, if you’re sure it won’t hurt you, but remember I didn’t want you to. Shall we eat some of the pudding now?” “I don’t care for any, thank you.” “Just taste it. I can hardly wait to see if it’s good or not.” “Why don’t you try it?” “Oh, I wouldn’t eat any unless you did.” Lucy drummed nervously on the arms of the chair she sat in. “Do you remember how we used to send out and get oysters----?” Nannie began suddenly. Lucy rose. “Lucy!” exclaimed Mrs. Merwent, following her daughter who was leaving the room. In the hall Lucy put on her raincoat and took an umbrella from the stand. “Where are you going?” asked her mother. “I’m going for a walk.”