Charlotte stood at the back of the shop looking on and reflectively picking her teeth with a pin. "She's a real good worker, Geraldine is," she remarked with a sniff, "I'll say that for her." An angry flash leaped up Mrs. Barry's spine. That settled it. This exquisite creature must not stay where that charwoman could speak of her so familiarly. "Certainly there has been a lot of good work done here," she said, looking about, "but it is a little early to come down yet. I have a lot of curtains to make for my cottage. Miss Melody"--turning to the girl with her most winning look--"you have these people all settled, don't you want to come home with me and help me make my curtains?" Geraldine's heart leaped in her throat. Although she had put up a brave front she was terribly afraid of the queen of Keefe. "Why, that would be fine!" exclaimed Miss Mehitable, her optimistic spirit at once seeing her clouds roll away and disperse in mist. "I don't think everything is done here," said Geraldine; "I don't think you can spare me." "Of course I can," returned Miss Mehitable vehemently. "You can go just as well as not." She perceived that this was not at all the answer the girl wanted, but she was determined to override all objections and even Geraldine's own feelings. The latter looked at Mrs. Barry with a faint smile. She only hoped that Miss Upton's mental processes were not such an open book to the visitor as they were to herself. She saw plainly that if it came to the necessity Miss Mehitable would throw her into the motor with her own hands. "She is not very complimentary, is she?" she remarked. "I thought I was so important." "She hain't seen the Port yet either. Have you, Gerrie?" came from the back of the store. Miss Mehitable turned on the speaker. "As if there was any hurry about that!" she said, so fiercely that Charlotte evaporated through the back door of the shop into the regions beyond. "I'm sure you were important," said Mrs. Barry, "but it is I who need you now." "I'll help you get your things," said Miss Upton, moving to the stairs with alacrity. Geraldine dropped Pearl. She could not defend her any longer. "Wait, Miss Upton," said Mrs. Barry. "How would it be for you to pack Miss Melody's trunk and express it after we are gone?" Miss Mehitable's face was one broad beam. A trunk! "She hasn't got any," she replied. "Of course hers was left in that No Man's Land and we just brought things down here in suit-cases and boxes." "Very well, then, we can take them with us." "But I shan't need--" began Geraldine. Mrs. Barry interrupted her. "It is always hard to foresee just what one will need even in a week's time. We may as well take everything." "Such a small everything," added Geraldine.