"Yes. But 'yes' does not mend matters. She says she has not been out of her house for a month. That will not do. She must have the world round her. She must go to church. To go to church regularly will keep the world her friend; and I will see that she performs that duty. Can you not help me in other matters?" "Rose has not spoken to me since--the day that her baby died. I do not think she will speak to me. I will do anything I can. What do you propose?" "I want her to open her house--to give a few quiet receptions or dinners--such events as are quite proper in her circumstances. Of course I shall be with her, and if you could get Miss Alida Van Hoosen to come to her initial dinner, it would give the stamp necessary for their respectability. Of course, you and Harry will be there." "Mother, I do not believe Rose will ask us; but if she does, we will overlook the past." "For heaven's sake, do not talk about 'overlooking' things. Take up life where it was pleasantly dropped, and bury the interval. Will you get Miss Alida's promise to endorse Rose?" "I will ask for it. She is a very determined woman, and Rose has been obtrusively rude to her." "None of you seems to have understood Rose, or to have remembered how broken-hearted she was about baby's death. Something may be excused on that account, I think. Will you go now and see Miss Alida? I should like to know who I can depend upon." Then Adriana went. The duty set her was not a pleasant one, especially as Mrs. Filmer was certain she ought to succeed in it. At this crisis she found it easy to recollect the tie of blood, and to expect from Miss Van Hoosen as a right what Adriana was doubtful of obtaining even as a favor. She found Miss Alida in, but dressed ready for her drive, and in a radiantly good-natured mood. So Adriana, hoping everything from a woman so cheerful and affectionate, said at once: "Cousin Alida, just give me five minutes, will you?" "Ten, twenty, sixty, my dear, if you want them." "I have just left Mrs. Filmer." "Has she made you feel like a flayed woman in a furze bush?" "She was very nice to me. She is wretched about Rose." "I should think she ought to be." "I can see that she fears Rose is----" "Drinking too much. Don't mince the words, Yanna. They are ugly enough to make one hate the sin they describe." "Her mother thinks she is too solitary. She is going to make her go to church, and she hopes that you will stand by her in society." "I will do nothing of the kind." "Dear cousin, if she has a quiet little dinner party, and her mother and Harry and I are present, I am sure you will also go." "No! I shall not!" "She is such a foolish, spoiled woman; it is not worth your while remembering her rudeness to you."