Miss Upton's head swung from side to side on her short neck as she gazed at her friend for a space in defiant silence. His smile irritated her beyond words. "Look here, Ben Barry," she said at last; "young folks think old folks are fools. Old folks _know_ young folks are. Now I want to find that girl. I see you won't help me, but you can tell me where to get a detective." Ben raised his eyebrows. "Hey-doddy-doddy, is it as serious as that? Geraldine is some actress. It would be a good thing if you could let well enough alone; but I suspect you'll have to find her before you can settle down and give Lottie that attention to which she has been accustomed. I will help you. We won't need any detective. You shall meet me in town next Saturday. We'll go to that restaurant and others. Ten to one we'll find her." "She's left the city," announced Miss Upton curtly. "She told you so?" the amused question was very gentle. "That cat of a stepmother had a relative on a farm, some place so God-forsaken they couldn't keep help, so the cat kindly told the girl she was desertin' that if other jobs failed she could go there. I've told you why the other jobs did fail, and it's the truth whether you believe it or not, and at the time I met her the poor child had given up hope and decided to take that last resort." Ben bit his lip. "Back to the farm, Geraldine!" Miss Upton's head again swung from side to side and again she glared at her companion. "It would surprise you very much if we were to meet her in town next Saturday, wouldn't it?" he added. "I'd be so glad I'd hug her beautiful little head off," returned Miss Mehitable fervently. "Do that, dear, if you must. It would be better than bringing her out here to be a companion to mother." Miss Upton's eyes were so fiery that Ben smothered his laugh. "I'm nearly sure that Miss Melody wouldn't suit mother as a companion." "I wouldn't allow her to come anywhere near you," returned Miss Upton hotly. "I s'pose you think she didn't go to the farm. Well, I saw her go myself with that very gawk I tripped up with my umbrella." "Of course you did," laughed Ben; "and pretty mad he was doubtless when she told him she hadn't got a rise out of you. Those people usually work in pairs. We'll probably see him, too." Miss Upton clutched the iron table in front of her and swung herself to her feet with superhuman celerity.