"Well, I'm going down stairs," said Winnie, putting the salve jar back on its shelf, "and all we're going to have for lunch is tomato salad and bread and butter. If any one doesn't like it, they can leave it; I'm not going to spend any time fussing with special dishes this kind of weather." Rosemary's practising that afternoon was interrupted several times by the telephone, twice for the wrong number. Aunt Trudy, with the air of a martyr, took her sewing out under the horse chestnut tree, Sarah and Shirley went to a neighbor's to play and Winnie announced that she intended to take a nap. So there was no one to answer the bells except Rosemary. By the time she had jumped up to be asked "Is this the grocery store?" once or twice, had admitted the butcher boy with fresh meat which must be put on the ice and had been summoned three times by Aunt Trudy to thread her needle--for glasses, declared her aunt made her warmer in summer and she would not wear them--Rosemary's temper was fraying sadly. "Rosemary," said Aunt Trudy, coming into the living room as the practise hour was about over (not allowing for time wasted, Rosemary told herself resentfully), "Rosemary, where is Sarah?" "I don't care where she is!" cried Rosemary, whirling around on the piano bench. "I'm tired of always being asked where Sarah and Shirley are. I don't care!" Aunt Trudy burst into tears. "I don't think you ought to speak to me like that," she sobbed. CHAPTER X THE LAST STRAW Jack Welles' cheerful whistle sounded outside. "Coming!" answered Rosemary. She flung her arms about Aunt Trudy and gave her a penitent hug. "I'm sorry I was cross, Auntie," she whispered. "You know I didn't mean it." Then she sped out the front door and joined Jack who was waiting on the walk outside the hedge. "Come on uptown and have a soda," he suggested. "Perhaps it will cool you off--you look slightly wild." "I feel wild," admitted Rosemary, falling into step beside him. "This has been the most dreadful day!" "Weather's enough to make anyone cross," said the boy quickly. "I'll bet the trouble is you're doing everyone's work. Hugh ought to make Sarah stir around. She's lazy."