"They get used to it; but they do need a change. Some of the poor mothers are completely worn out and break down in the hot weather. If they could get into the country, even for a short time, it would save many a life." "Pshaw, is it so bad as that?" said sympathetic Drusilla. "Yes; this year is especially bad. We had hoped to have the money to build an additional wing to the house and take all our people; but we have not been able to get the money, so we have to tell a great many whom we have promised that they cannot go this year, and--I am afraid it will be a great disappointment." Here an inspiration came to Mrs. Harris. "By the way, Miss Doane, I was going this afternoon to tell one of the mothers that she cannot go this year. Would you like to come with me, then you can see for yourself how very much the place is needed." Drusilla brightened. "I'd like to go," she said. The worker hesitated. "You are not afraid of contagion?" "There ain't nothin' catchin' in the house, is there? I don't want to git the smallpox at my time of life, or the mumps--" Mrs. Harris laughed. "No, nothing as bad as that; but the tenements are not overly clean, you know." "Pshaw, I don't care about that. If they can live in 'em all the year, I guess it won't hurt me to visit 'em for ten minutes." They entered the motor, surrounded by a crowd of noisy children who clung to the footboard and hung on the back and made themselves into a noisy escort until the tenement was reached. There Drusilla and Mrs. Harris climbed three flights of stairs. In answer to the knock, a soft voice said, _Entre lei_, and they stepped into a room that was evidently the kitchen, living- and dining-room. Near the only window in the room was a kitchen table. Around it sat the father, the mother, a little boy of nine, two younger girls, and a little round-faced boy of four, while two other children, mere babies, were playing on the floor. The people at the table were sticking marguerites onto wreaths, about ten flowers to a wreath. The flowers were in bundles stuck together, and the little boy took them apart and handed them to the other children, who took yellow stems from other bundles, dipped them into paste, then into the center of the marguerite and handed the finished flower to the father or mother, who placed it in position on the wreath. They worked quickly, showing long practice. The mother gave chairs to her guests; then went back to her work. "I have come, Mrs. Tolenti," Mrs. Harris said, "to tell you about the country." "Si," and the dark Italian face brightened. "I ready go any day." "I am sorry, awfully sorry, but we have no place for you this year." The Italian woman looked at the speaker uncomprehendingly. _"Si?"_ "I am sorry," Mrs. Harris began again, speaking slowly, "that we cannot take you. We have not been able to enlarge the house, and there were so many applications ahead of you."