"All the same," said Miss Varian, "there is no sense in your being kept in this unsettled state, just because Missy chooses to set up a headache. It's a new thing for her; she isn't the kind of young woman that goes to bed with a headache whenever she's put out. It's a wonder to me what has happened to disturb her. She was well enough at breakfast, but wouldn't come down to her dinner. I never knew her to stay away from dinner for a headache, or any such nonsense before. Goneril shall go up and see why she can't come down." "I beg you won't take any trouble about it," said Mr. Andrews, much disturbed. "I am sure she is ill, she looked very pale. I would not have her annoyed for anything. If it is not asking too much of you all, to bear with the children, I will try to get some kind of a household together to-morrow. I have no doubt I could hear of some one in the village, or I could go to the city in the morning and get some at an office." "Heaven forbid!" cried Miss Varian, fervently. "That would break Missy's heart, for she has been longing to get these creatures away. And you wouldn't be likely to get any better. You know men are always imposed upon." "That is true," said Mr. Andrews, with a sigh. "Missy went to see about a cook this morning," put in Gabrielle, who had renounced her game and crept up to hear the talking. "And a waitress too. She said she had heard of a place for them, but she didn't say where. Maybe it was for you, papa." "Maybe," said her father, absently. "Alphonsine said in the stage this morning that she seemed to take a great interest in your affairs, you know." "Hush!" said her father, with emphasis. "How's that? Who's Alphonsine? Your nurse? And what did she say?" asked Miss Varian, with keen interest. "Some impertinence of the servants after they were sent away, I suppose," said Mr. Andrews, threatening Gabrielle with a look. "Did Missy hear it?" asked Miss Varian, persisting. "Papa says I mustn't tell," returned Gabrielle, hesitating. "Oh," said Miss Varian, sharply. "It is always well to obey one's father." "Gabrielle makes a great deal out of a very little," said Mr. Andrews, suppressing his annoyance. "She has had the misfortune to be a great deal thrown upon the care of servants. I shall be glad to get her into different ways." "She ought to be sent to boarding-school," said Miss Varian. "I am afraid you are right; I must look about for a school for her in the course of the next few months." Gabrielle gave Miss Varian a very bitter look, but Miss Varian was none the worse for that. Mr. Andrews now arose to go, but Miss Varian protested he should not go till Missy had sent down the addresses of the persons she had recommended. "I won't have you kept in such a state for anybody's caprice," she said, sending Goneril up with a message. And then Mr. Andrews knew that Miss Varian did not love her step-niece.