In such homes her children lived. And Deborah had set her mind on vigorous measures of relief. Landlords must be made to wait and the city be persuaded to give work to the most needy, food and fuel must be secured. As she spoke of the task before her, with a flush of animation upon her bright expressive face at the thought that in less than an hour she would be facing thousands of people, the gloom of the picture she painted was dispelled in the spirit she showed. "These things always work out," she declared, with an impatient shrug of her shoulders. And watching her admiringly, young Betsy thought, "How strong she is! What a wonderful grown-up woman!" And Roger watching thought, "How young." * * * * * "What things?" It was Edith's voice at the door, and among those at the table there was a little stir of alarm. She had entered unnoticed and now took her seat. She was looking pale and tired. "What things work out so finely?" she asked, and with a glance at Deborah's gown, "Where are you going?" she added. "To a meeting," Deborah answered. "Oh." And Edith began her soup. In the awkward pause that followed, twice Deborah started to speak to her sister, but checked herself, for at other dinners just like this she had made such dismal failures. "By the way, Edith," she said, at last, "I've been thinking of all that furniture of yours which is lying in storage." Her sister looked up at her, startled. "What about it?" she asked. "There's so much of it you don't care for," Deborah answered quietly. "Why don't you let a part of it go? I mean the few pieces you've always disliked." "For what purpose?" "Why, it seems such a pity not to have Hannah back in the house. She would make things so much easier." Roger felt a glow of relief. "A capital plan!" he declared at once. "It would be," Edith corrected him, "if I hadn't already made _other_ plans." And then in a brisk, breathless tone, "You see I've made up my mind," she said, "to sell not only part but _all_ my furniture--very soon--and a few other belongings as well--and use the money to put George and Elizabeth and little Bob back in the schools where they belong." "Mother!" gasped Elizabeth, and with a prolonged "Oh-h" of delight she ran around to her mother's chair. "But look here," George blurted worriedly, "I don't like it, mother, darned if I do! You're selling everything--just for school!" "School is rather important, George," was Edith's tart rejoinder. "If you don't think so, ask your aunt." "What do you think of it, Auntie?" he asked. The cloud which had come on Deborah's face was lifted in an instant. "I think, George," she answered gently, "that you'd better let your mother do what she thinks best for you. It _will_ make things easier here in the house," she added, to her sister, "but I wish you could have Hannah, too." "Oh, I'll manage nicely now," said Edith. And with a slight smile of triumph she resumed her dinner.