A little pulse was beating in her throat. She dreaded to find herself alone with this _grande dame_. She believed that Ben had kept his promise and that this move of his mother was being made of her own volition, but in what capacity was she being invited? Was it a case of giving a piece of employment to a needy girl in her son's absence, or was she being asked on the footing of a friend? In any case, she knew her lover would wish her to go, and as for Miss Upton she would use violence if necessary. She went upstairs and came down wearing the black sailor hat of the Keefe brand, and carrying a suit-case. Miss Mehitable followed with sundry boxes which she took to the motor. Lamson jumped out and came to the shop to get the suit-case. "One moment more, please," said Miss Upton, and vanished upstairs. She returned bearing a large hatbox. "Oh, no, Miss Upton!" exclaimed Geraldine as Miss Mehitable had known she would. "Keep that till I come back. It's a seashore hat." "It is not," said Miss Mehitable defiantly. "It is a town hat. She got the present of a beautiful hat, Mrs. Barry--" "Dear Miss Upton doesn't say that she gave it to me herself," put in Geraldine. No, dear Miss Upton did not; for she had a New England conscience; but she continued firmly: "She may want to wear it; she's got a white dress." Geraldine colored. Mrs. Barry had seen her white dress. "By all means let us take the hat," said that lady, and Lamson bore off the box. "_Au revoir_, then," said Geraldine, trying to speak lightly, and kissing Miss Mehitable. "I'll let you know what day I am coming back. Say good-bye to Mrs. Whipp for me." Mrs. Barry's face became inscrutable as Geraldine spoke. She had seen the counter, and the phonograph, and in fancy she could see the impending excursionists. "Good-bye, Miss Upton." And the shining motor started. "To Rockcrest, Lamson." Miss Mehitable went back into the house. She suspected she should find Charlotte weeping, and she did. "I s'pose I can't never say anything right," sniffed the injured one upon her employer's entrance. "Never mind _us_, Charlotte," responded Miss Upton. "That's a very big thing that's just happened. I'm so tickled I'd dance if I thought the house would stand it." "I don't see anything so wonderful in that stuck-up woman givin' the girl a job o' sewin'," returned Mrs. Whipp, blowing her nose. "When will Gerrie come back? How we'll miss her!" "I think," said Miss Upton, impressively--"I think it is very safe to say--Never!" "Why, what do you mean!" "I mean Mrs. Barry ain't goin' to let that girl stand behind my counter this summer." Miss Mehitable gave a sudden, sly laugh. "I wasn't goin' to let her anyway," she added, in a low tone as if the walls might have ears, "but Mrs. Barry don't know that, and I'm glad she don't." Miss Upton sat down and laughed and rocked, and rocked and laughed until Mrs. Whipp began to worry. "Thumbscrews," said Miss Mehitable, between each burst, "thumbscrews!"