"You see, Nan, now that Mr. Lane has had to go to Texas with the militia the business is at a standstill. He was trying to fill the orders they had on their books without father's help." "Yes, Mr. Tucker said that father's business was a one man affair and when that one man, father, was out of the running there was nothing to do about it. Thank goodness, father is not worrying about things himself." "I know we should be thankful, but somehow his not worrying makes it just so much more dreadful. I feel that he is even more different than mother. It is an awful problem--what to do." "What's a problem?" asked Helen, coming suddenly into the tent where her sisters were engaged in the above conversation. "Oh, just--just--nothing much!" faltered Douglas. "Now that's a nice way to treat a partner. You and Nan are always getting off and whispering together and not letting me in on it. What's worrying you?" "The situation!" "Political or climatic?" "Carteratic!" drawled Nan. "We were talking about mother and father." "What about them? Is father worse?" Helen was ever on the alert when her father's well-being was in question. "No, he is better in some ways, but unless he is kept free from worry he will never be well," said Douglas solemnly. She had not broached the subject of money with Helen since the question of White Sulphur had been discussed by them, feeling that Helen would not or could not understand. "Who's going to worry him? Not I!" "Of course not you. Just the lack of money is going to worry him, and he is going to feel the lack of it if mother wants things and can't have them." "Why don't you let her have them?" "How can I? I haven't the wherewithal any more than you." "I thought we were making money." "So we are, but not any great amount. I think it is wonderful that we have been able to support ourselves and put anything in the bank. I had to draw out almost all of our earnings to pay for the things mother bought in New York, not that I wasn't glad to do it, but that means we have not so much to go on for the winter." "Oh, for goodness' sake don't be worrying about the winter now! Mother says our credit is so good we need not worry a bit." Douglas and Nan looked at each other sadly. Douglas turned away with a "what's the use" expression. Helen looked a little defiant as she saw her sister's distress. "See here, Helen!" and this time Nan did not drawl. Helen realized her little sister was going to say something she must listen to. "You have got a whole lot of sense but you have got a whole lot to learn. I know you are going to laugh at me for saying you have got to learn a lot that I, who am two years younger than you, already know. You have got to learn that our poor little mumsy's judgment is not worth that," and Nan snapped her finger. "Nan! You ought to be ashamed of yourself."