Then in panic the weary big sister brought out one loaf of gingerbread, cut several generous slices, left it on the sideboard in a welcome attitude, and fled upstairs to finish Carey’s room. Five minutes later, as she was struggling with the bedsprings trying to bring them into conjunction with the headboard, she heard their hurrying feet, and, leaning from the window, called: “Children! Come up here a minute, and help me.” “I can’t,” shouted Harry with a frown; “I got a job afternoons, and I gotta hustle. I’m late a’ready, and I have to change my clo’es!” and he vanished inside the door. “I have to go to the store for things for dinner!” reproved the younger sister stiffly, and vanished also. Cornelia felt suddenly in her weariness like sitting down on the floor in a fit of hysterical laughter or tears. Would they never forgive her? She dropped on the floor with her head wearily back against the window and closed her eyes. She had meant to tell them about the gingerbread, but they had been in such a hurry; and somehow the spirit seemed gone out of her surprise. Downstairs it was very still. The children had been halted at the entrance by the appetizing odor of cooking. “Sniff!” “Oh, gee!” said Harry. “It smells like mother was home.” Louise stalked hurriedly to the dining-room door. “Harry Copley, just look here! Now, what did I tell you about college girls?” Harry came and stood entranced. “Oh, gee!” he murmured. “Isn’t that just great? Oh, say, Lou Copley, just gaze on that sideboard! I’ll tell the world this is some day!” and he strode to the sideboard, and stopped all further speech by more than a mouthful of the fragrant ginger-cake. The little housewife took swift steps to the kitchen door, and sniffed. She took in the row of plump bread-tins almost ready to go into the oven, the gently bubbling kettle with its fragrant steam, the shining dresser with its neat rows of dishes that she had never been able to find; and then she whirled on her astonished brother. “Harry Copley! You answered her real mean! You go upstairs and apologize quick! And then you beat it, and change your clothes, and get to work. I’ll help her. We’re going to work _together_ after this, she and I”; and, seizing a large slice of gingerbread in her passing, she flew up the stairs to find her sister. CHAPTER V They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment. They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him: “Oh, gee! I gotta beat it.”