"My God!" cried Trotter's employer, straightening her figure and facing the other. Something like horror sounded in her cracked old voice. "Could--my God!--could it be possible?" "Speak plainly! What do you mean?" Mrs. Millidew, the elder, advanced her mottled face until it was but a few inches from that of her daughter-in-law. "Where were _you_ last night?" she demanded harshly. There was a moment of utter silence. Trotter, down below, caught his breath. Then, to his amazement, Mrs. Millidew the younger, instead of flying into a rage, laughed softly, musically. "Oh, you are too rich for words," she gurgled. "I wish,--heavens, how I wish you could see what a fool you look. Go back, quick, and look in the mirror before it wears off. You'll have the heartiest laugh you've had in years." She leaned against the railing and continued to laugh. Not a sound from Mrs. Millidew, the elder. "Do come up a few steps, Trotter," went on the younger gaily,--"and have a peep. You will--" The other found her voice. There was now an agitated note, as of alarm, in it. "Don't you dare come up those steps, Trotter;--I forbid you, do you hear!" Trotter replied with considerable dignity. He had been shocked by the scene. "I have no intention of moving in any direction except toward the front door," he said. "Don't go away," called out his employer. "You are not dismissed." "I came to explain my unavoidable absence last--" "Some other time,--some other time. I want the car at half-past ten." Young Mrs. Millidew was descending the stairs. Her smiling eyes were upon the distressed young man at the bottom. There was no response in his. "I beg your pardon, Mrs. Millidew," he said, raising his voice slightly. "I came not only to explain, but to notify you that I am giving up my place almost immediately." "What!" squeaked the old lady, coming to the top of the steps. "It is imperative. I shall, of course, stay on for a day or two while you are finding--" "Do you mean to say you are quitting of your own accord?" she gasped. "Yes, madam." "Don't call me 'madam'! I've told you that before. So--so, you are going to work for her in spite of me, are you? It's all been arranged, has it? You two have--" "He is coming to me today," said young Mrs. Millidew sweetly. "Aren't you, Trotter?" "No, I am not!" he exploded. She stopped short on the stairs, and gave him a startled, incredulous look. Any one else but Trotter would have been struck by her loveliness. "You're not?" cried Mrs. Millidew from the top step. It was almost a cry of relief. "Do you mean that?" "Absolutely." His employer fumbled for a pocket lost among the folds of her dressing-gown. "Well, you can't resign, my man. Don't think for a minute you can resign," she cried out shrilly. He thought she was looking for a handkerchief. "But I insist, Mrs. Millidew, that I--"