"I wish," replied Harriet, "that there were something in the world she _must_ do. There's no such blessing at a time like this as not to be able to brood. A husband and baby have rights that can't be put aside. I do wish Linda cared for some one of the men who admire her. I don't believe there's one who would let the changes in her fortune weigh with him at all. I hope, Aunt Belinda, it doesn't hurt your feelings to see me wearing this colored gown." The speaker lifted her eyes to her aunt's somber black. "Father never believed in mourning, but he was a prominent man, and I want to wear the badge of respect before people who would expect it. I'll wear black in the street, but Henry and little Harry would feel the gloom of it in the house, and though Henry hasn't said anything about it, I have decided not to wear mourning at home." "You've got a lot of sense," was her aunt's response. "I believe in that." "We can't mourn any less," and Harriet dashed away another tear. "No girls ever had a better father than ours." Miss Belinda lifted her eyes from her work. "Mr. King called this morning, and brought more flowers for Linda. If flowers would heal hearts Linda would never shed another tear, but she can't seem to bear them. She won't let one blossom be in the room." "I suppose they look too cheerful," said Harriet. "How is poor Bertram?" "Thin as a rail. Looks as if he had the weight of the nation on him, and I suppose he has. I guess from what I hear these days are terribly hard on him." "Terribly," echoed Harriet. "Henry's just heart-broken over the situation." "Has Henry lost money in Barry & Co.? Don't tell me if you don't want to." "No. Of course Henry's young, and has never had much money to invest, but Father never wanted family connections mixed up in his business. I know that sounds as if he didn't feel certain of his propositions; but there isn't a man who knew Father and Barry & Co. who wouldn't tell you he believed in their absolutely honest intention. I've had only one talk with Bertram about the business since--but he called me up this noon and said he must see Linda and me together as soon as she is able." Miss Barry dropped her work again, and regarded her niece's dark head, drooped over her work. "You like Bertram King, don't you?" "Indeed I do." Harriet looked up in surprise. "Henry and I both love him like a brother." "Well, I just wanted to know if you felt him worthy of all confidence." "Oh, you've heard that talk, have you?" "What talk?" asked Miss Belinda cautiously. "About his being the moving spirit of Barry & Co. That always irritates Henry and me beyond everything. As if my father were invertebrate, and couldn't think for himself." "Well, Linda believes it. That is, she believes Mr. King had an abnormal influence over your father. In fact, she blames Mr. King for the disaster."