“So we promised not to interfere, although Sim Phinney looked disappointed when he done it. I could see that he'd had hopes afore he give that promise.” CHAPTER XI IN THE GREAT METROPOLIS “So they left you and Sim Phinney to keep house, did they, Hiram?” observed Wingate. “They did. And, for a spell, we figgered on bein' free from too much style. “After they'd gone we loafed into the settin' room or libr'ry, or whatever you call it, and come to anchor in a couple of big lazy chairs. “'Now,' says I, takin' off my coat, 'we can be comf'table.' “But we couldn't. In bobs a servant girl to know if we 'wanted anything.' We didn't, but she looked so shocked when she see me in my shirt sleeves that I put the coat on again, feelin' as if I'd ought to blush. And in a minute back she comes to find out if we was SURE we didn't want anything. Sim was hitchin' in his chair. Between 'nerves' and Archibald, his temper was raw on the edges. “'Say,' he bursts out, 'you look kind of pale to me. What you need is fresh air. Why don't you go take a walk?' “The girl looked at him with her mouth open. “'Oh,' says she, 'I couldn't do that, thank you, sir. That would leave no one but the cook and the kitchen girl. And the master said you was to be made perfectly comf'table, and--' “'Yes,' says Sim, dry, 'I heard him say it. And we can't be comf'table with you shut up in the house this nice evenin'. Go and take a walk, and take the cook and stewardess with you. Don't argue about it. I'm skipper here till the boss gets back. Go, the three of you, and go NOW. D'ye hear?' “There was a little more talk, but not much. In five minutes or so the downstairs front door banged, and there was gigglin' outside. “'There,' says Simeon, peelin' off HIS coat and throwin' himself back in one chair with his feet on another one. 'Now, by Judas, I'm goin' to be homey and happy like poor folks. I don't wonder that Harriet woman's got nerves. Darn style, anyhow! Pass over that cigar box, Hiram.' “'Twas half an hour later or so when Margaret, the nursemaid, came downstairs. I'd almost forgot her. We was tame and toler'ble contented by that time. Phinney called to her as she went by the door. “'Is that young one asleep?' he asked. “'Yes, sir,' says she, 'he is. Is there anything I can do? Did you want anything?' “Simeon looks at me. 'I swan to man, it's catchin'!' he says. 'They've all got it. No, we don't want anything, except--What's the matter? YOU don't need fresh air, do you?' “The girl looked as if she'd lost her last friend. Her pretty face was pale and her eyes was wet, as if she'd been cryin'. “'No, sir,' says she, puzzled. 'No, sir, thank you, sir.' “'She's tired out, that's all,' says I. I swan, I pitied the poor thing. 'You go somewheres and take a nap,' I told her. 'Me and my friend won't tell.'