But at this point Mr. Miller's doleful recital was cut short by a second ring at the bell. Again Ruth's step was heard in the passage outside, and again Ruth, loftily sulky but omitting no point of her duty, stood with the door-knob in her hand. "Mrs. Pratt," she announced; and Amory entered. Seeing Mr. Miller, however, she backed again. Mr. Miller had risen and bowed as if he was giving some invisible person a "back" for leapfrog. "Oh, I do so beg your pardon!" said Amory hurriedly. "I didn't know you'd anybody here. But--if I could speak to you for just a moment, Dorothy--it won't take a minute----" "Please excuse me," said Dorothy to Mr. Miller; and she went out. She was back again in less than three minutes. Her face had an unusual pinkness, but her voice was calm. She did not sit down again. Neither did she extend her hand to Mr. Miller in a too abrupt good-bye. Nevertheless, that worried man bowed again, and looked round for his hat and stick. "I shall have to think over what you've been saying," Dorothy said. "I've no proposal to make off-hand, you see--and I'm rather afraid that just at present I shan't be able to come and see you----" There were signs in Mr. Miller's bearing of another access of reverence. "So I'll write. Or better still, if it's not too much trouble for you to come and see me again----? Perhaps I'd better write first.--But you'll have tea, won't you?" Mr. Miller put up a refusing hand.--"No, I thank you.--So you'll do your possible, Mrs. Tasker? That's vurry good of you. I'm wurried, and I rely on your sharp feminine brains. As for the honorarium, we shan't quarrel about that. I wish I could have shaken hands with Mr. Stan. There ain't a happier and prouder moment in a man's life than----" "Good-bye." And the father of the three little goils of his own took his leave. No sooner had he gone than Dorothy's brows contracted. She took three strides across the room and rang for Ruth. Never before had she realized the inferiority, as a means of expressing temper, of an electric bell to a hand-rung one or to one of which a yard or two of wire can be ripped from the wall. Only by mere continuance of pressure till Ruth came did she obtain even a little relief. To the high resolve on Ruth's face she paid no attention whatever. "A parcel will be coming from Mrs. Pratt," she said. "Please see that it goes back at once." Ruth's head was heroically high. The late Mr. Mossop had had his faults, but he had not kept his finger on electric-bell buttons till she came. "No doubt there's them as would give better satisfaction, m'm," she said warningly. But Dorothy rushed on her fate.--"There seems very little satisfaction anywhere to-day," she answered. "Then I should wish to give the usual notice," said Ruth. "Very well," said the reckless mistress.... "Ruth!" (Ruth returned). "You forgot what I said about always shutting the door quietly."