“Of all the contemptible scheming and plotting! If you were determined to insult your mother why did you have to do it behind my back? If we have to fight, let us at least be decent about it, and fight in the open!” John’s tone was scathing and with each word his voice reached a higher pitch. He stared at Lucy scornfully. “What do you mean, John?” she began in a bewildered manner. Then she exclaimed indignantly, “Oh, how dare you!” She rose. One hand still clutched Dimmie. “Now, John, Lucy didn’t mean----” Nannie, showing her fright, spoke soothingly. “Oh, I know, Nannie! ‘Lucy didn’t mean!’ She don’t want you out of the house, I suppose! She hasn’t been driving you and me half crazy ever since you came with her suspicions and jealousy!” “Remember what I told you, John Winter!” Lucy warned, her eyes steely. “Oh, I’ll remember!” John’s gaze was lowered for an instant. Then his ire came to the aid of his courage. “I’ll remember, but you can’t threaten me into forgetting my self respect!” he declared defiantly. “I don’t know what you are talking about. The news that Mamma was going was as much a surprise to me as it was to you.” “John----” Nannie went no further. “Oh, I know you didn’t have anything to do with the telegram, but that doesn’t alter what I say.” He glared at Lucy. “I saw how you were looking at Nannie, as if you could hardly wait for the moment to come when you could get her out of the house!” “Now, John, surely when _I’m_ willing to forgive Lucy----” Nannie’s air was soft and uncertain. “Come, Dimmie!” Lucy almost jerked the whimpering child from his chair, and, holding his hand, led him into the kitchen. She left her own yard by the gate which adjoined Dr. Hamilton’s premises. “Come right in, Mrs. Winter,” Mrs. Hamilton’s maid-of-all work greeted them at the back door. “Mrs. Hamilton is in the dining room.” And the girl led Lucy through the kitchen. “May I come in?” petitioned Lucy in an unsteady voice at the threshold of the dining room. “Dear me, yes,” Mrs. Hamilton said encouragingly. She was rocking Stella to sleep and did not rise but held out her hand. Lucy seized it. “I just wanted to sit with you a little while, Mrs. Hamilton.” “I’m so glad you came.” Mrs. Hamilton reached her unoccupied arm around Stella and patted Lucy’s hand. “Draw up the other rocking chair. The Doctor is out on another maternity case and I’m all alone again. I was thinking about you. How is your mother?” Without answering, Lucy placed a rocking chair near Mrs. Hamilton and took Dimmie into her lap. * * * * * As soon as she and John were alone, Mrs. Merwent, who had risen also during the altercation between John and Lucy, reseated herself at the table in silence and wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “Won’t you sit down, John?” she urged compassionately. Without speaking, he complied. He lighted another cigarette and, when Katy entered, asked for a second cup of coffee.