For the moment the girl was startled. "I was thinking about South Ridgefield," she confessed timidly. "I knew it," Aunt Kate exclaimed, apparently much puffed up by her mind-reading ability. "You are trying to see how unhappy you can make yourself and every one else who looks at you." Virginia was mute before this accusation. "Were you thinking of your father?" asked Aunt Kate, proceeding with her examination of the witness. The girl nodded sadly. "Why do you think of him?" Aunt Kate seemed shocked at the depraved taste of Obadiah's daughter. "Oh, Aunt Kate, I do wish that he would pay for Charles Augustus's operation. I would feel as if there might be some chance of my going home some day." "I am sorry that you don't care for the company of Helen and me, Virginia." The girl gave her aunt a pleading look. "You know what I mean. I love you and Helen dearly." The older woman softened, patting her niece upon the cheek; but she stuck to the business at hand. "That water business would cost your father a lot of money, wouldn't it?" "I think so," Virginia agreed. "Hum," muttered Aunt Kate. "We'd better give Obadiah a light dose to begin on." "I don't understand you, Aunt Kate," said the girl. "No matter," responded the older woman. "What I want to know is, have you asked your father to pay for the operation on that lame boy?" "No, he knows nothing about it," admitted Virginia. "Aunt Kate, I would be afraid to ask him after the way he talked to me." "Afraid!" Aunt Kate was filled with astonishment. "Afraid of Obadiah? My stars and garters! You must begin some place! How on earth do you expect him to give to something he never heard of? Don't you know child, that to get a Dale to do anything which costs money you must ask them not once, but thrice. Seventy times seven is about right for Obadiah." "But, Aunt Kate, after what my father said, I couldn't ask him to help pay Charles Augustus's bill." "Why not?" demanded Aunt Kate. "I don't know why. I am sure, though, that I couldn't." "I know why," declared Aunt Kate. "It is obstinacy--plain Dale obstinacy sticking out of you." Virginia was silent for a moment, possibly reviewing her personal characteristics as illuminated by her aunt. Then she asked, "You think that I should ask him?" "Certainly, give brother Obadiah a chance." "But, Aunt Kate, he will refuse." "We will write him then that you are going to stay with me." "Oh," groaned Virginia, great tears springing into her eyes opened wide with alarm. "Then I could never go home as long as I live. I'd never see Daddy or Serena or even Ike again." "Fiddlesticks, child, don't be a weakling." Her eyes twinkled. "This is no tragedy. It is only a difference of opinion, with brother Obadiah, as usual, wrong."