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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..73521c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60273 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60273) diff --git a/old/60273-8.txt b/old/60273-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c8141e9..0000000 --- a/old/60273-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6961 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Leave it to Doris, by Ethel Hueston - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Leave it to Doris - -Author: Ethel Hueston - -Illustrator: W. B. King - -Release Date: September 10, 2019 [EBook #60273] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAVE IT TO DORIS *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -LEAVE IT TO DORIS - - -[Illustration: "I was laughing at you"] - - - - -LEAVE IT TO DORIS - -BY -ETHEL HUESTON - -AUTHOR OF -PRUDENCE OF THE PARSONAGE, -PRUDENCE SAYS SO, ETC. - -ILLUSTRATED BY -W. B. KING - -[Illustration: Decoration] - -NEW YORK -GROSSET & DUNLAP -PUBLISHERS - -Made in the United States of America - - - - -COPYRIGHT 1919 -THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY - - -_Printed in the United States of America_ - - - - -_To_ - -MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS - -Who with me learned the secret of riotously -happy living even in parsonage confines - - - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER PAGE - I THE GENERAL 1 - - II THE PROBLEM 27 - - III THE IMP 50 - - IV THE BLESSING 69 - - V THE WILL 100 - - VI THE SERPENT 117 - - VII DISCIPLINE 133 - -VIII THE BISHOP 149 - - IX THE RUNAWAYS 165 - - X MR. WIZARD 191 - - XI THE PHILOSOPHER 208 - - XII FINDING THE PATH 227 - -XIII ROSALIE'S WAY 245 - -XIV THE DOCTOR 261 - - XV RISING TO THE MANSE 274 - - - - -LEAVE IT TO DORIS - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE GENERAL - - -The Reverend Mr. Artman paced soberly up and down the small living-room -of his manse, as every one called the parsonage. His eyes were clouded. -The lines at the corners of his kindly lips were sternly set. Now and -then he glanced toward the bay-window where Doris sat, untroubled, -serene, her dainty fingers cleverly transforming huge rents in small -garments into triumphs of patchery. The wind, coming softly through the -peach trees outside the windows, loosened tiny tendrils of hair that -curled tenderly about her rosy ears. - -Mr. Artman sighed drearily. - -Doris, unperturbed, continued her darning, but bright lights were -dancing in her blue eyes. - -"Hay, ho," drawled Mr. Artman suggestively. - -"Isn't it lovely and cool to-day, father?" queried his daughter sweetly. - -Without answering, he walked abruptly to the kitchen door, peering -anxiously into the room beyond, and closed it cautiously. The General -puckered her lips earnestly over a too-small scrap of cloth vainly -coping with a too-large rent. Her father went to the door opening upon -the porch, and closed it also. Then he walked slowly up toward his -daughter, opening his lips as though on the verge of confidence. But he -turned once more, and resumed his restless pacing. - -Then Doris dropped the darning into the basket beside her and faced her -father. - -"Father," and the voice, though soft, was imperious. - -He started guiltily, and flushed. - -"Come and sit down," she commanded. "If you do not speak up instantly -and tell me what is on your mind I shall jump up and down and scream. -You make me so nervous when you squirm around that way. What ever in -the world is the matter with you?" - -Her father quickly dumped the mending basket and its contents upon -the floor, with masculine and ministerial lack of regard for things -domestic, and appropriated the chair, drawing it close to his -daughter's side. - -"Hurry, hurry," came the gentle authoritative voice. "I have oceans to -do. What is it?" - -"Well, it is-- Why, nothing special, child, what made you think--" - -"You haven't gone and proposed to Miss Carlton, have you?" she gasped. - -"No, thank Heaven," came the fervent answer. - -"Careful, father. You mean it devoutly, I am sure, but Providence might -mistake it for irreverence. Providence does not know Miss Carlton as we -do, you know. Don't be afraid to tell me then--nothing else could be so -terribly bad." - -"Well, dearest, I was just wondering if--don't you think, perhaps--if I -help a lot, and see that the girls do their share--don't you think we -could get along without Miss Carlton this year?" - -The General considered, her curly head cocked on one side, her brows -knitted. - -"I wanted to take charge right after mother died--but you were not -willing." - -"You were too young then, and still in school." - -"Aren't you satisfied with Miss Carlton's work?" she asked slyly. - -"Her work has nothing to-- Yes, of course I am, dear. And she is a good -woman, very good. And has been a great help to us the last three years, -at a very reasonable salary." - -"I have done most of the work myself, but you do not believe it," said -Doris. - -"Yes, of course you have, dear. And the Problem is quite old now, and -between the two of you--between the three of us, I mean--" - -"You mean, between me," said Doris frankly. "Your intentions are the -best in the world, father darling, but if you ever broke into the -kitchen you would very likely wipe dishes on sermon manuscripts--very -good manuscripts, perhaps, but you can't practise on the dishes the -Endeavor paid forty dollars for. And the Problem! But as you say, -between me, I think perhaps I could get along without Miss Carlton -nicely. She is rather hard to evade, isn't she, dearest?" - -Her father flushed boyishly. "I am sure, Doris--" - -"Yes, indeed, dear, so am I," she interrupted sweetly. "And I am truly -proud that you have withstood so long. Stronger men than you have -fallen in less persistent sieges. You have done well. But I hope you -will remember that I have been praying right along that you might be -given strength equal to the conquest, so don't take too much credit -yourself." - -"Well, I suppose the poor thing really can't help--" - -"Oh, no, belovedest, of course she can't help it. Only I haven't -noticed any married women finding you so irresistibly handsome, and -fascinating, and all that, have you? At least, they don't come telling -you about it to your face." - -Then at his guilty face she laughed, and snuggled on his knee, kissing -his chin adoringly. - -"You are a dear sweet darling love," she said, "and I will do my best -to make you comfortable, and keep the manse on four legs, or four -wheels, or four--what is it a manse runs on, anyhow?" - -"Four girls," he said, laughing. "Mine does, anyhow." - -"Er, father, when will you break it to Miss Carlton?" - -He sighed heavily. "Why, General, I supposed--I thought--maybe it would -be better for you just to tell her you are old enough to take charge -yourself now, and--I think she would take it better from you." - -"Oh, father, what a coward you are," she said sadly. "You call me -General, and I know I rule you with a rod of iron, but I haven't much -backbone in my army, I am sure of that. Well, then, I will break it -to Miss Carlton." She looked thoughtfully out at the branches swaying -lazily in the warm wind. "I wonder how the Problem will take it? She is -so likely to object, you know." - -He cleared his throat anxiously. "Oh, you can fix it up with her some -way." - -"I am to do that, too, am I?" laughed the General. "You'd better look -up that epistle about the armor, father. You need a breastplate, and -a steel helmet, and a sword of faith--and quite a lot of things. Run -along then, dearest, and don't bother me. Miss Carlton will be here in -a few minutes, and I must prepare my campaign." - -Mr. Artman reached hastily for his hat. "I--I think I shall go -down-town a while--I need some fresh air-- That mean little headache -again, you know--and I must see Mr. James. Pretty sick man. I may not -be home for dinner to-night. Don't sit up for me--and don't let anybody -else." - -"A good thing we have a sick member, isn't it?" she teased. "You aren't -going to get home until the storm is over, are you?" She shook her -curls at him reprovingly. "Such a good, sweet, faithful preacher you -are--and such an awful coward when it comes to us women." - -"I tell you, Doris," he said sturdily, "I think it would be easier to -face a den of lions, or a howling mob of I.W.W.'s, or any number of -ordinary sinners, than one Christian woman when she wants--she makes up -her mind--I mean--" - -"You mean, when she is getting you ready to propose to her, I suppose. -I do not blame you, father.--Fly, here she comes. Scoot out the back -door, and sneak through the barn. It will be over by morning. Run, you -coward, run," she cried, shooing him gaily out the back door. - -Then she went back to the bay-window, and sat down with the mending, -her pretty brows puckered. - -"Miss Carlton is wax in my hands," she thought. "But whatever in the -world will Rosalie say? If one only knew what to expect, it would not -be so serious. But nobody ever can predict how our lovely little old -Problem of a Rosalie will take anything." - -"Still mending, dear Doris?" came a voice of studied sweetness from the -doorway. - -"Yes, still at it. But I did not work all the time. I have been playing -with father. He is such a tease." - -Miss Carlton looked around the wide room anxiously, hopefully. - -"He is gone now--to see Mr. James, I think--somebody sick, anyhow. I -have been having a serious time with him, Miss Carlton." She dropped -the mending and looked at the older, much older woman, with frank, -straightforward, innocent eyes. "They call me General, but they never -want to do as I say." - -"And what is our little General after now?" asked Miss Carlton, -smiling. "Shall I help you get it? I do not think he will refuse it, if -I ask." - -"Oh, you will be like every one else; you will say it is not advisable. -But they do not call me General for nothing." Doris straightened her -slender shoulders, and looked very domineering. "I have made up my -mind. I shall have my way." - -"Wouldn't your father give in?" Miss Carlton's voice was mildly -surprised. Father Artman withstood Doris very, very seldom indeed. - -"Oh, yes, he gave in, of course. That is, he says I shall try it. But I -know he thinks I shall tire of it soon. He does not know me, does he? I -never give up, do I?" - -"Not very often, no," admitted Miss Carlton rather grimly. - -"Come and sit down, dear, and let me tell you," said Doris eagerly. "I -think it will make you happy too. I am twenty years old, and very, oh, -tremendously mature, don't you think so?" - -"Well, perhaps," was the doubtful admission. - -"Yes, of course. And you know how hard up we preachers always are, and -we have to economize just fearfully, especially now the Problem is a -junior in college--and somehow it takes lots more clothes for her in -college than it ever did for me. And you have been so wonderful to us -all these three years, and such a help--but now I feel that I am old -enough--and that it is my duty and my priceless opportunity to take -charge of the family, and then you can go home again and be free to -live your own life, and though you have never complained I know how -happy it will make you." - -"No, indeed," came the quick protest. "I like it here. The salary is -nothing extra, but you have done quite a lot of the work, you know. Oh, -no indeed, little girl, you must not think of it. Why, it is just time -for you to have your play days now your school is over, and we older -ones can bear the burdens of life. You must not think of it." - -"But I have thought of it," said Doris sweetly. "And father promised I -should try. And I am the General." - -"You have been planning all these years to go to Chicago and study, and -become a missionary. You can not give up your life ambitions now." - -"I have changed them," said Doris. "Father wants me, and that is -enough." - -"He won't let you change them for him." - -"Father is the most unselfish thing in the world, I know," smiled -Doris. "But father has forgotten that I ever even thought of such a -thing--and since he wants me here, it is settled. I shall never think -of it again." - -"You won't be happy--" - -"Oh, Miss Carlton," said Doris, standing up suddenly, tall and -straight. "You think I won't be happy staying where father wants me, -and filling father's need?" - -"But it would be wicked to deny the call to service as--" - -"I wanted to be a missionary because it appealed to me. But I hear no -call but father's voice. If a message came from Heaven, the way would -be changed for me. Right now, the path of service goes right smack into -the manse, and I do not see it going out on the other side." Doris -smiled winsomely. - -"Wait till I talk things over with your father--he will see how absurd -it is." - -"He promised. Father may have his faults, though I do not know what -they are, but he always keeps a promise." - -"He should not have promised until he discussed things with me." - -"But, Miss Carlton, _we_ are his family, you know. And I am the oldest -daughter, and very grown up. You see how it is, don't you? Of course, I -do not wish to hurry you off, but I know how anxious you must be to get -home, and you need not feel you have to linger on my account. I haven't -planned anything to do to-morrow, and can help you with your packing -the whole day long." - -"I can do my own packing, thank you. And I shall do it immediately. -Your father really consented to this arrangement, did he?" - -"Oh, certainly he did. He sees himself that it is the proper thing to -do, and will save quite a little money, and goodness knows we need -it. And then the responsibility will develop my character, or--or -something." - -Miss Carlton flounced out of the room and up the stairs. Doris listened -intently at the door. - -"She is not exactly happy about it, but I am. And father is. If I only -knew what the Problem would think of it. I wish Miss Carlton would go -right straight away--she is angry enough to do it. Then I could tackle -the Problem alone, and it would be too late to undo." - -She shut her eyes very tightly and murmured softly, unintelligibly -beneath her breath. "Now to make doubly sure, I shall go and -concentrate. Every one says you get things if you concentrate hard -enough." - -She listened once more at the door that led into the hall. Miss Carlton -was undoubtedly throwing her possessions violently and untenderly into -her bags and trunk. - -"Concentration won't hurt, for when she remembers how handsome father -is she may change her mind," said the General soberly. - -So she slipped back to the bay-window, and bent all her energies, and -all the force of her strong young will to the task of concentration. - -A little later she heard Miss Carlton at the up-stairs branch of the -telephone, and though she would not dream of listening to a telephonic -conversation, she did saunter carelessly to the hall door and so -overheard Miss Carlton giving a hurried order for an expressman. - -"Providence and concentration together are really irresistible," she -smiled to herself. "I suppose, after all, I could have gotten along -without the concentration, but in a crisis like this I thought it would -not hurt to try everything." - -She went demurely back to her mending, and after a while the expressman -came and took away the trunk and bags, and finally Miss Carlton came to -her. - -"I am going home right now, Doris," she said, "but I do not regard this -as final. We shall say I am going for a visit. And when you want me to -come back, just telephone. After all, I think it is a good move. Your -father will soon find out what a difference I made in the home. He will -be the first to want me back." She smiled without resentment. "So I -quite agree with you, little General. This just suits my purpose, and I -shall stay at home until--some one comes after me." - -"I know we are going to miss you," cried Doris sincerely. "You have -always been kind to us, and we have never been able to pay you half -what you deserved. And if we find we can't get along, and you are -willing, we shall have you back in a hurry. But I am going to try, and -I never yield until I have to." - -So Doris paid Miss Carlton the modest sum due her and the two parted -with cordiality, Miss Carlton leaving friendly messages for the other -members of the household. - -As soon as she was quite out of sight, Doris flew to the kitchen. - -"Even the Problem is amenable to a good meal," she said. "She shall -have delicious cream gravy--the little glutton--and pear preserves, and -apple dumplings." - -So eagerly and so passionately did she devote her energies to the task -that she did not hear the door open behind her, and never knew her -sister was at her elbow until a soft ripply voice said suddenly: - -"Well, Mr. General, is mess nearly ready for us?" - -"Oh, Rosalie," cried Doris, flinging floury arms about the girl at her -side. "Oh, you dear little darling, I am so glad you came." - -"Why so mushy?" demanded Rosalie in a voice so soft and gurgling -and throaty it made one think of tinkling waterfalls, and silver -moonshine, and irresistible dimples. "Don't I _always_ come? Why all -the exclamations at me?" - -"Because I love you, and because I am happy, and because--you scoot to -the phone, will you, and call up Mr. James' residence and tell father -I want him to come home to dinner to-night without fail, for very extra -special reasons--apple dumplings, but you needn't tell him over the -phone--and hurry, dear, before he leaves there." - -The General looked soberly after her sister as she danced lightly -out of the kitchen. Rosalie was quite too terribly lovely for -anything--that was really what made her such a Problem. And her eyes -were full of dazzling witching lights, and dangerous dark shadows, her -lips were rosy, pouty, tempting lips, her skin was a pearly pink and -white, and her voice melting melody. - -"She is Problem enough now--what will she be a little later on?" -thought the General anxiously as she took a loving look at her -dumplings. - -"Where is Miss Carlton?" asked Rosalie, returning promptly. "Father -says he will come immediately. Aren't the girls home yet? I suppose I -must set the table then. I think you should speak to them, Doris--they -are never here when you want them. Where is Miss Carlton? Won't she be -here for dinner?" - -"No, not--" - -"Goody!--Doris, do you think she--has her eye on father?" - -"Why, Rosalie, whatever put such a notion as that into your head?" -Doris was all wide-eyed astonishment. - -"Well, perhaps it is not nice of me to mention it, but she is always -tagging him about, and telling him how clever he is, and she is always -saying how much we need a mother-- Oh, she's all right, of course--not -my type at all, but--I am glad she won't be home for dinner. Doris, -will you ask father if we may go to the Country Club da--party next -week? They may dance, but we won't have to. I could do it though as -easy as not. This is the first time they have asked us to a strictly -town affair, and we just have to go. This is the way they dance that -new step the girls are raving about. See? Three steps this way, one, -two, three; one, two, three; hippity hip--" - -"Rosalie!" gasped Doris. "Wherever did you learn that?" - -"Amy taught me. She takes regular dancing lessons from a man, a dollar -a lesson, and then she teaches me. It is just like gym, you know, only -at a dance there are men. Miss Graham says I am very graceful, and -with my slender ankles and high insteps I would look lovely in dancing -slippers. Now, Doris, don't be horrified, I am not going to dance. But -you tell father we are invited, and-- You sit out the dances, you know, -if you are a preacher and can't dance--and you get behind a big fern, -and the men tell you how lovely you are, and how much nicer it is to -sit out with _you_ than to go stumbling around over other girls' toes, -getting their collars all sweated out, and how sweet and cool you look, -and--" - -"Rosalie!" - -"They do not mean it, Doris, they just talk that way. And I know they -do not mean it, so it does me no harm. And it is lots of fun. They all -do it." - -"They do not talk that way to me," said Doris virtuously. - -"No, you do not give them a chance. If a man says you have beautiful -blue eyes, you look him straight in the face and say, 'Yes, thank -goodness, I need something to make up for my pug nose.' That is no way -to talk to a man. You ought to drop your lashes like this, and then -look up suddenly, and away again quickly, and laugh a little and say, -'Oh, you talk that way to every one--you do not mean it,' and then they -say you are the only girl in the world--" - -"Rosalie Artman, I think you are perfectly terrible. Where in the world -do you learn all that silly stuff?" - -"I do not learn it," laughed Rosalie. "I do not have to. It was born in -me. I sort of breathe it. Tra, la, la, lalala. I can do a toe dance, -Doris. I will teach you. Does father go to the Sessions to-night? Then -we will have a lesson while he is gone. Oh, there come--" - -"Rosalie, I want to ask you-- Don't you think we ought to get along -without Miss Carlton now? She is so sort of prim, and bossy--and -it costs eighteen dollars a month--and if we do you can have nicer -clothes, you know." - -"Wouldn't be proper," said Rosalie lightly. "Beautiful girls must be -properly guarded. And besides, I would have to do more work, and I -don't like to work." - -"Father is proper enough for anybody," said Doris with spirit. "And I -do all of the work anyhow." - -"Could I have a regular evening dress, V in the back and no sleeves?" -demanded Rosalie with glittering eyes. "Isn't it funny, the less there -is to a dress, the more there is to the cost? All the girls have -evening dresses, and I have the nicest shoulders in the whole gym. But -Miss Carlton would never go. You couldn't fire her off." - -"Who is the General?" demanded Doris loftily. "If I say go, she goes in -a hurry." - -Rosalie looked up quickly. - -"You bad General, she is gone already, isn't she?" - -"Yes; do you mind?" - -"Are you sure father won't go trotting after her, and marry her on the -sly?" - -Doris lifted horrified eyes skyward. - -"Well, I am sure I do not care. I think I am rather glad. Whenever -I got my dates mixed, and had two or three callers at once, she was -always shocked. She said the boys didn't act that way when she was a -girl. I rather suppose they didn't. But what Miss Carlton was and what -I am are two remotely different things. Why, you would hardly believe -we are both feminine, would you?" - -"No," said Doris honestly. "One can't think of any two things more -different. You are such a--such--" - -"Problem," laughed Rosalie. "Don't I know it? Well, you can not solve -me, Doris, so don't try. But I am just like those horrible trigonometry -nightmares--you can't figure them out to save your life, but they are -quite perfectly all right in spite of you." - -Doris turned to give her sister a warm adoring look. "I know that," -she said happily. "Only, however in the world you manage to say such -wonderful things with your eyes, Rosalie--I've tried and tried--alone, -of course," she added hastily. "I wouldn't before people for anything. -But I can't take people's breath away as you do." - -Rosalie's voice rippled into mellow laughter. "You will learn. No, -you never will, Doris. You will fall in love, and marry a perfectly -adorable man, and have perfectly wonderful babies, and be as happy as -the day is long. And I will fritter along and sparkle along, and have -a hundred beaus, and Miss Carlton and I will finish up together. There -come those bad girls. Now you just scold them, General. Don't you stand -for this nonsense any more. Why, I have had to set the table every -night for a week." - -The younger sisters came into the room together, as they went -everywhere together. They were very nearly of the same height, though -one was two years older. - -"Are you tired, Treasure?" asked Doris quickly. - -"I haven't done anything but laugh all afternoon," came the answer. -"Why should I be tired?" - -Doris looked tenderly from the face of one little sister to the other. -Treasure's eyes were clear, serene and limpid. Her delicately tinted -olive face was fine and spiritual. And right by her side stood Zee, the -baby of the manse, thirteen years old, dark curls a-tangle, dark eyes -a-sparkle, red cheeks aglow. - -"Oh, you little Imp!" cried Rosalie. "You look just awful." - -"I do not think so," said Treasure quickly. "She looks lovely all blown -about like that." - -Zee laughed at them both with charming unconcern. "Do I have to brush -myself down before dinner?" she demanded, edging toward her corner of -the table. - -"Indeed you do; wash down, and brush down, and rub down, and do it -quickly, for here comes father." - -Zee obediently skipped up the stairs, and Rosalie ran to the hall to -greet her father. - -"And how is the Blessing of the Manse?" he asked, crossing the -room, with Rosalie still clinging to his arm, to look tenderly into -Treasure's soft fine face. - -"Perfectly all right," came the even answer. - -"But not very healthy," put in Zee slyly, coming back in haste. "Didn't -I do a quick job, General? Treasure is all right, but not very healthy. -That is why she is a blessing. Haven't you noticed, Rosalie, that -blessings are very, very frail? Maybe if I looked sickish you would -call me a blessing, too?" - -"Is she gone, General?" came the anxious whisper as the father drew -near his oldest daughter. "And how did the Problem take it?" - -"Gone, father, and the Problem is glad of it--we might have known she -would be whatever we did not expect. Now I am the General in very -truth, and supper is ready--Zee, don't rush. Just a minute, dear, the -pear preserves won't evaporate. You mustn't hurry father into the -blessing." - -When the blessing had been asked on their food the father looked about -the little round table, and his face was richly satisfied. - -"This is something like," he said, smiling into the faces of his four -girls. - -"Yes, it is now," said Rosalie. "But you just wait till the General -gets started. She will never let us slide along and be comfortable as -Miss Carlton did. Wait till she has time to think up orders!" - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE PROBLEM - - -"General, did you ask father if we may go to the Country Club -da--party?" asked Rosalie, in her most irresistibly wheedlesome tone. - -Doris looked very sober. "No, I didn't," she admitted slowly. "I am -afraid we--shouldn't, Rosalie. We haven't anything to wear, in the -first place. It is a regular party, you know." - -"That is why I want to go. I am so tired of stupid little class -affairs, and Endeavor socials. I want a regular, honest-to-goodness -party. Please, Doris. Lots of our members belong to the Country Club. -It is very respectable." - -"But they are not preachers, and we are. And we haven't any regular -party clothes." - -"Use your eyes, my belovedest, and no one will notice your clothes. At -least, the men won't," said Rosalie shrewdly. - -"Rosalie, that positively is not nice. You mustn't do it." - -"All right, General, just as you say. But your graduating dress is very -sweet and becoming, and I can wear my pink crêpe. It is a little worn -under the arms, but my eyes-- Anyhow, as you say, the men won't pay any -attention to our clothes." - -"I did not say any such thing. How _could_ we go, Rosalie? It is three -miles out, and they go in cars--we haven't one, and we can't have a -taxi, and we couldn't go alone anyhow." - -"I never thought of that." Rosalie puzzled over it a moment. "I have -it! Mr. and Mrs. Andrieson will go, of course. And they have their -grand big car, and they like us very much, indeed." - -"They aren't members--" - -"Oh, well, there are a few quite nice people that don't belong to us. -And they are terribly proper, you know, and go everywhere." - -"But we can't ask to go with them." - -"Why, certainly not. We won't have to." Rosalie got up slowly. "I -think I feel like taking a stroll. I am restless to-day. I shall just -saunter down Lawn Street, and maybe Mrs. Andrieson will be on her front -porch. She always stops me, if she is in sight." - -"You must not ask her--" - -"Oh, Doris, I never thought of such a thing. But she is sure to invite -us to go with her when she knows we were asked. And so if father comes -in while I am gone, you'd better have it out with him. There's a sweet -little General." - -So nicely did Rosalie manage her meeting with Mrs. Andrieson that in -less than an hour she was home with everything planned to her perfect -satisfaction. Mrs. Andrieson was positively yearning to take them to -the Country Club--it would be such fun to play chaperon to two pretty -young girls. To Father Artman, one party was just like another--in his -innocent eyes there was no difference between an Endeavor Social and a -Country Club da--er, party--except that he had never been to the latter -in person. And so it was entirely settled that they were to go, long -before the General herself was at all convinced as to the propriety of -it. - -And when she found Rosalie before the long mirror in her room, with the -soft bands of lace at the throat of the pink dress tucked carefully -underneath and out of sight, permitting a quite generous exposure of -soft white throat and shoulder, Doris knew for sure that it was a great -mistake. - -"Rosalie Problematic Artman," she said sternly. "We shall not go a step -if that is your plan." - -Rosalie looked tenderly at the pink shoulder. "Doesn't it look nice, -Doris?" Reluctantly she restored the bands to their proper place. "I -look like a silly little grammar-school kid. But that is what we get -for being preachers. Never mind. I certainly have good shoulders if -ever--if ever--" - -"If ever what?" - -"If ever I do get a chance at the outside of the ministry," she said -blithely. "But, of course, father would faint at the bare idea, though -it is not really low even with the bands turned under--nothing at all -like the dresses other women wear." - -Even Doris had to laugh at the childish fair face and the childish soft -voice of little Rosalie as she descanted on the matter of "other women." - -And Rosalie smiled good-naturedly. "Shall I teach you some of the new -steps, Doris? Of course, you won't dance, but it will be more fun -looking on if you know how it is done." - -Doris waved the pretty temptress away, but she laughed. - -On the night of the "regular party" she stood by with motherly -solicitude while Rosalie piled her golden curls high on her head and -drew little shining rings down low before her ears. - -"I suppose even we preachers can fix our hair in style," she said -in the ripply unruffled voice. For regardless of the clash of -circumstances with her personal opinions and wants, Rosalie seldom -showed real annoyance. But she fingered the bands at the throat of her -dress and glanced at Doris with speculating, shining eyes. - -The General, with her soft curls drooping tenderly about her face, with -her wide frank eyes, wearing a white dress cut on simple lines, seemed -a nice and bashful child beside her younger sister, who stoutly decreed -that eyes are a talent, given one for cultivation. - -When the Andriesons sounded their horn at the gate of the manse the -girls ran down-stairs together, hand in hand. - -"How do we look, father?" asked Doris, standing before him, straight -and slim. - -"Like a fresh white morning-glory," he said, kissing her. - -"And how do I look?" dimpled Rosalie, drooping her warm eyes behind -long lashes, and smiling seductively. - -"Like an enchanted poppy tossing in the wind. Don't try to practise -your blandishments on me, you little siren. Run along to your social, -and be good girls, and don't you flirt, Miss Rosalie, or you'll have to -go to an extra prayer-meeting next week." - -Catching a hand of each, with Zee and Treasure shouting in the rear, -he ran down the steps with them and out the stone walk to the motor, -whirring impatiently. Then the car rolled away, and the girls sauntered -back to the house, their arms around their father. - -"Rosalie is going to have the time of her life, dadsy," said Zee -wisely. "You mark my words. She wasn't practising those eyes on you for -nothing." - -"Oh, Zee, give me a rest," he cried, laughing. "Rosalie has naughty -eyes, I know, but there is a lot of regular sense behind those curly -lashes." - -"Rosalie isn't going to let folks know it, though, unless she has to," -said Zee, and the subject was closed. - -But Doris soon realized that charming Mrs. Andrieson was no efficient -chaperon for a butterfly like Rosalie. For as she led the girls into -the dressing-room at the club house, she said lightly: - -"Now toss the manse to the winds, my dears, and frolic like the regular -buds you ought to be." - -"I am going to," chirped Rosalie. "I am going to frivol just as hard as -ever I can." - -She asserted her independence without delay. "I can not go down there -among all those evening gowns looking like this," she said. "Here, Mrs. -Andrieson, can't we tuck these shoulder bands back a little?" - -"To be sure we can," agreed the chaperon, and laughing excitedly, she -folded back the soft lace from Rosalie's pretty shoulders. - -"What a lovely throat you have, Rosalie. Can't we tuck it under a -little more? That shoulder is too beautiful to waste." - -"That is plenty, thanks," cried Rosalie, laughing nervously. "If it is -too terribly awful, I won't do it, Doris," she said, looking directly -at her sister. - -Doris returned the gaze with honest searching eyes. "It isn't too -terribly bad, Rosalie. And it does look lovely--and lots of our girls -wear them much lower even at the socials--but father--" - -"Oh, father would never know the difference. An inch or so of skin is -nothing to us preachers, you know." - -It was a lovely evening, in spite of Rosalie's naughtiness. Doris -was fascinated as she watched the lightly moving figures swaying so -rhythmically when the music said sway, and though she so many times had -to say, "I am sorry, thank you, I do not dance," she was never left -alone, and the hours were delightfully frittered with one and another -of the men--not Christian Endeavor men, who had to talk of church -things when they talked with members of the manse--but regular men, who -went places, and did things, and had their names in the paper--regular -men who talked of things that interested them. And of course that would -interest Doris, who all her life had been in training for interest in -others' lives. - -Rosalie, after two or three painful refusals, clenched her slim white -hands and ran to Doris. - -"General," she whispered hurriedly, "you may shoot me at sunrise if you -like, but I tell you right now that I am going to dance, dance, dance -the very toes off my slippers. Yes, sir; I am. And it will be worth a -good big punishment. To stand here like a mummy and say, 'I can't'--it -is more than flesh and blood can stand--my flesh and blood, anyhow." - -Doris was nothing if not honest, and she had to admit that Rosalie -did seem almost predestined for that one-two-three-skippity-skip-skip -business! But the members-- Oh, of course, the members were doing it -themselves, and Doris could see a deacon drinking something that-- Well, -Doris knew they never served it at the Endeavor socials--but things -were so different with us preachers, so very different. And it would -hurt father, that was the worst of it, and he was such a good dear -old thing-- But Doris had to sympathize with Rosalie a little. Was it -possible that Providence might have erred a tiny bit in putting such -loveliness and such naughtiness and such adorable sweetness into the -gentle environs of a manse? - -So intent was Doris upon the graceful figure of her winsome Problem -that she did not see the man who had stopped at her side and was -looking down with quizzical laughing eyes into her anxious face. - -"My, such a lot of trouble," he said at last, and Doris looked up -astonished. - -"Oh, I beg your pardon--" - -"No occasion in the world. I was laughing at you, so I must do the -apologizing. But I feel justified in laughing at you. This isn't any -place to worry. This is a party. Is your sweetheart dancing too often -and too tenderly with your lovely friend?" - -"I haven't any sweetheart," she said, laughing gaily at the notion. "It -is my sister I am watching. She is such a nice, naughty little thing." - -She pointed Rosalie out to him, not without pride, and flushed with -pleasure when he commented warmly on her grace and beauty. - -"And how beautifully she dances." - -"Yes, she does, the little sinner. And a grand time we'll have in the -morning, fixing things up with father." - -"Doesn't he allow you to dance?" - -"He allows us to do anything," said Doris with loyal dignity. "But we -do not do it. We are preachers." - -"What, all of you?" - -"Oh, no, just father, but the rest of us back him up, you know." - -"Well, since the naughty sister has involved the family in disgrace, -why don't you support her, and have a good time yourself?" - -"I am having a perfectly wonderful time, thank you, but I haven't -Rosalie's feet and eyes. I do not know how to dance, and I do not care -to learn. Rosalie gets those things by instinct, but I have none. She -is the butterfly of the manse, and one is plenty." Then looking into -his face gravely, she said, "I am different. Rosalie is always running -into excitement and adventure. I never did in my life. I went clear -through college, and was never even thrilled. Rosalie has thrills a -dozen times a day. Of course, I was busy. We had Miss Carlton, but I -did most of the work, and there was the church, and I studied harder -than Rosalie does--I had to. She gets her lessons by instinct, too, I -guess." - -"Then very plainly now is your time for play. If excitement does not -come to you, go after it. Look for your thrills. If you do, you will -find them. If you do not stumble into romance, as your sister does, go -and find it for yourself." - -She laughed brightly at that. "I do not know where to look. And if I -ran into it, very likely I should pass it by unrecognized. Rosalie says -men are the best thrillers, but they do not thrill me. She says I am -too sensible--sense and mystery go in opposite directions and never -look back." She was studying him curiously. "I beg your pardon, but I -do not recall your name. It is very stupid of me--" - -"Not at all. You met so many when you first came in. It is quite -natural that you should forget a few." - -Doris thought it was not natural to forget those kind quizzical eyes, -and that kind teasing voice, but she did not say so. Instead she -waited. No information was forthcoming. - -She laughed at him, wonderingly. "But I still do not know your name." - -"No? Then here is a bit of mystery for you. Who am I? Whence do I come? -Why am I here? I am a stranger, but you will see me again." - -"You must be one of the new school-teachers or a professor in the -college," she ventured, quite tingling with the bit of novelty new to -her. - -"Yes? Well, I am going to run away now and leave you to your -chaperoning. But you must not forget me, little morning-glory." - -"Why, my father called me that just before I left the house." - -"There you see, I am a wizard. I can read your inmost thoughts. I--" - -"I hope not," said Doris quickly. - -"Come and have an ice with me before I go." He led her through a quiet -hallway to a corner of the wide porch, and brought ices for her, and -cake. And all the time he kept up that boyish teasing chatter, and -always she watched him with curiosity and interest. - -"You are too sensible to be inquisitive. You should say, Here is a -brand from the burning, I must sow a good seed in his heart. And you -should not even ask who, nor what, nor whither." - -"I know it, but I do. If you were just ordinary, I should not care. But -I can't imagine! You haven't been here a long time, that is certain. Or -I should have seen you before. And if I had, I should remember. You are -not a college student, for you are too old--and too clever." - -"The last is an open insult, and the first is only dimly veiled. Now -walk with me to the gate, Miss Morning-Glory." And at the gate he said, -in a curious, half-sad voice, quite different from the gay bantering -tone that had excited her curiosity, "You are a nice little thing," and -went away. - -Doris looked after him in astonishment. "Well, can you beat that?" she -ejaculated. "Here I go through high school, and through college, and -now when I am a grown-up old woman, and the head of a house, and the -General of a mob--I get myself all mixed up in a funny business like -this. Who in the world can he be? And where in the world did he come -from? But he said I should see him again. I wonder what that bad little -Rosalie is at now?" - -And though she went immediately back to her sister, she did not forget -the kind gray eyes and the kind gay voice. - -"Did you have a nice time, Doris?" asked Mrs. Andrieson as they were -driving swiftly homeward. - -"Wonderful," said Doris in a voice of ecstatic content. - -Mrs. Andrieson looked at her curiously. "I am afraid I neglected you. I -had such a hard time keeping the boys from quarreling over Rosalie, and -I knew you would not get into mischief." - -Now that it was all over, and the excitement and the thrill were gone, -Rosalie was quivering down to the very tips of her slippers. She had -disgraced the manse, she had messed things up for father--and he was -such a darling-- Oh, Doris should not have let her! People would think -it was father's fault--she had not thought of that before, now she -could think of nothing else. "He is a good man," people would say, "but -he can not control his children." And he did work so hard, and was so -patient--and so many times his eyes looked tired, and once in a while, -but not often, he would admit that his head ached a bit. - -Doris was sympathetic as always, sympathetic in that unvoiced silence -that understands everything, and hurts not a single particle. She knew -by instinct that Rosalie was sick at heart. So they talked of other -things, and after they got into bed she said tenderly: - -"You were lovely, Rosalie, and I was so proud of you. And though -you were very gay and lively, you were sweet, and had a sort of -Presbyterian dignity about you that made you different." - -Rosalie kissed her quickly, but did not speak. - -When the family met again at the breakfast table Zee was overwhelming -in her interest. - -"How was the party? Did Rosalie flirt? Did all the men fall down at her -feet stone dead?" - -"No, little goose, they didn't. Men don't any more. And Rosalie did not -flirt--exactly--and the party was glorious." - -Doris did not glance at Rosalie, intent on the oatmeal before her. - -"Were you the most beautiful ones there? Was anybody dazzled? Did the -women wear low-necked dresses? Alice Graves says they don't wear any -sleeves at all. Did they dance? Were there any members there? What did -you have to eat?" - -"Oh, you little chatter-box! How can I answer so many questions? -Rosalie was dazzling--did you ever dream that I could dazzle anything? -Yes, the ladies did. Yes, they danced. Yes, there were a lot of -members. They had ices, and cakes, and coffee, and things to drink -and--" - -"And father," said Rosalie suddenly, "I pinned down the lace in the -neck of my dress so it would show my shoulders." - -He turned to Doris for confirmation. - -"Just a little, father," she said loyally. "It did not show much, and -Rosalie looked beautiful. I did not object to it." - -"And I danced." - -This was nothing short of a bomb bursting upon them. Even Zee was -silenced. Doris felt all the pain of motherhood over an erring -first-born. Slowly their father rallied. - -"Did you do it--well? I hope you didn't stumble, or walk on ladies' -dresses, or anything." - -"She did it beautifully," said Doris meekly. - -"Father, I ask you frankly, as man to man, is it wrong to dance?" - -"We have been taught, Rosalie," he began slowly, but she interrupted -him. - -"That isn't fair. You tell me what you think. Why should we leave it to -other men that we don't know? How can they decide? Do they know more -about it than we do? It doesn't condemn it in the Bible. That would be -decisive. But why do these other men take the privilege of deciding -things for the rest of us?" - -"They were wise men, and good. We let great statesmen make our laws, -and we obey. We let great teachers tell us what and how to study that -we may become educated, and we obey them. We let great doctors tell us -how to safeguard our health, and we obey them. We let the leaders in -all other professions tell us what to do, where to go, what to eat, -what to wear--and we obey. We might trust the fathers of the church a -little, don't you think?" - -"But it is such a simple thing. And so natural. Just moving to music, -that is all. Soldiers love to march to the drum, children prance to the -music of the band. It is human nature." - -"My dear, if you want to move to music, let Zee here go up and down -town beating a drum for you, and you march your little head off." - -Rosalie joined the laughter. "I like the other kind better. Then you -truly think it is--dangerous, or wrong, or unwise, or something?" - -"I have never danced myself, dear." - -"Stand up here, and let me show you. Now, you go this way. One, two, -three; one, two, three; skippity, skip, skip; one, two, three--and that -is all there is to it." - -"Simple, isn't it?" - -"Perfectly simple. Now is that wrong?" - -"Well, Rosalie, I tell you frankly, as man to man, if I were young and -had a soft shoulder like yours against my arm, and a pretty face like -yours very close to my lips--I should probably be tempted to kiss it." - -"Oh, father," cried Rosalie, joining the burst of laughter. "You would -not do it, surely." - -"Not in public, no. And I may add, if I had a pretty hand like yours -in mine, I should probably squeeze it, and if I had my arm around your -waist like this--I'd probably squeeze that, too." - -Merry laughter greeted the admission. Then in the silence that followed -he said slowly. "There are many things I could do, Rosalie, that would -do me no harm, and others no harm. But would I get pleasure enough out -of the doing to make it worth my while? Suppose even one person should -say, 'He is a vain and worldly man, I do not wish to go to him in my -trouble.' If one person should say that of me, I would consider I had -paid too big a price for the little amusement. It may be one of the -things we give in return for the badge of the ministry, my dear--I, -for one, am willing to give it. It is the one big talent of our -profession--the talent of giving up." - -Rosalie looked at him steadily. - -"And I believe that any one who is not willing to exercise that talent -does not fit into a manse." - -Rosalie swallowed hard. "I--I do fit, father--I want to. I--I could -never be happy any place in the world--outside the manse." Then she -added brightly, "So I must never dance any more?" - -"Ask the General," he hedged quickly. "She is the head of the family." - -"Well, General, speak up, how about it?" - -"What a naughty Problem you are," said the General tenderly. "Well, -then, if it is up to me, I say this: Father has put it to you squarely. -And I know this, Rosalie, that when anything is put squarely on your -own shoulders, you straighten up and carry it without flinching. You -are old enough to solve your own troubles. This is yours--find the -answer for yourself." - -"Oh, you bad General," cried Rosalie, laughing. "Now I can not blame -it on any one but myself, and I did so want to sympathize with myself, -and say, 'I can dance wonderfully, but they won't let me.' Oh, well, -I should worry. And, General, by the way, I may as well confess -that I was jealous of you last night. You were so different, and so -remote--every one had to go to you, away from the whirl, back into your -corner where you stood serene. I kept thinking what a nice manse type -you are, always distinct, always different, and sweeter than anything. -So I had already decided--I just wanted to find out what you would say." - -Then Rosalie was gone in a flash, chasing Zee out into the garden for a -merry frolic. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE IMP - - -"Why, Zee, however did you happen to get here ahead of time?" demanded -Doris, glancing up from the potatoes she was watching so closely, -for potatoes have a most annoying way of burning if you leave them a -minute. It had taken Doris a long time to learn that. - -"Um, yes, I am a little early, I guess," said Zee, in a still small -voice. She busied herself about the table without reminder from her -sister, an unwonted procedure for the Imp, but Doris was too concerned -with the meal to pay much heed. - -Rosalie and Treasure came in together a few moments later, and Zee was -sent to call their father to the table. - -"And don't dawdle, Babe, for things are piping hot, and we must allow -three minutes for the blessing, you know." - -Zee's appetite, usually above reproach, was negligible that day, and -her gay voice, always so persistent in conversation, was quite subdued. -But when the meal was over she lifted modest eyes to her father's face. - -"I hope you aren't very exceptionally busy to-day, father," she began -ingratiatingly. - -"I am. I have Davison's funeral to-morrow--and it is not easy to -conduct the funeral services of a bad man in a way that will afford -comfort to his mourning relatives." - -"I knew you would have a hard time of it, father," said Doris -sympathetically. "I was hoping they would get some one else-- The -Methodist minister is new here, and doesn't know Davison as we did." - -"One good thing about him, father," said Rosalie, "he never killed any -one that we know of. You can come down strong on that, and sort of -glide over everything else we know about him." - -"I suppose one should come out flat-footed and hold him up as a model -to other people who won't keep to the straight and narrow," said Doris -thoughtfully. - -"Perhaps. But a kind Providence has made it unnecessary for us to -judge, you must remember." - -"We can have our opinions, like other people, but we must not air them -in the pulpit," said Rosalie. - -"But whatever will you say, father? He was everything a good -Presbyterian is not, and--" - -"Doctor Burgess used to say that death blots out all evil," said -Rosalie helpfully. "Can't you play that up?" - -Mr. Artman smiled at their eagerness to be of help. "I shall just -speak of the rest and sweetness of death after a life of turmoil and -confusion, and shall emphasize very strongly how blessed it is that -the soul goes direct to the presence of God, who knows all the secret -motives hidden from human eyes." - -"That is downright genius," approved Doris. - -"Pretty slick, I call it," smiled Rosalie. - -"Will you be busy the whole afternoon, father?" asked Zee, returning -to the original subject. - -"Did you want something?" He turned and looked at her, and from her -sober face he caught the underlying need. "I always have time for my -girls, you know. What can I do for you?" - -"I am sorry but I am in bad at school again." - -"Again," repeated Rosalie. "Don't you mean still?" - -"Miss Hodges wants you to come with me--that is, she says I can not -come back until you do. She is going to ask you to give a sort of -pledge of good behavior for me, and you can't do it, for I am sure to -break over once in a while. So there you are. Don't you think Doris -could teach me at home this year?" - -"But what in the world did you do, dear?" demanded Doris. - -"Well, you will be horrified, of course, Doris--but it wasn't as bad -as it sounds. I did not feel well to begin with, and things went wrong -from the first. Walter Dwight had some candy, and he passed it to me, -and I was eating it--" - -"In school?" - -"Yes. And Miss Hodges saw me and told me to go to the window and throw -it out--a very bad and unsanitary thing, throwing candy all over the -play-grounds, but Miss Hodges makes us do it--and so I went to the -window and looked out--and--I stood there a minute or so looking around -to see what was going on in the playground, and I saw a robin sitting -in the big maple, and I squinted my eye up at him, and aimed with the -candy, and shot it at him." - -Zee looked up sadly, and then lowered her eyes again. "Everybody -laughed, and Miss Hodges was not at all pleased. She said I was a -little nuisance." - -A vague flickering smile passed from face to face around the table. - -"What else?" - -"She sent me into the science room to sit by myself half an hour and -think. Professor was not there." - -"What did you do?" - -"I sat there." - -"Yes?" - -"Well, I kept on sitting there, and it was awfully monotonous. You -know we have a skeleton in the physiology department now--I told you, -didn't I? It was stuck up on the side of the wall on long hooks. And -Professor's big amber glasses were on the desk--the girls say he wears -them for style--so I put them on the skeleton. It looked awfully funny. -And then Satan must have tempted me, for I did a terrible thing." - -A long sigh went up from the table. - -"The teachers' cloak-room opens from the science room." - -"I see it all," said Doris solemnly. - -"Go on, Zee. I don't get you, yet." - -"The teachers' wraps were in the cloak-room. So I got Miss Hodges' hat -and put it on the skeleton, and it looked so comical you would have -laughed." A sad reminiscent smile flashed over the subdued but always -impish features. "So I put her coat on too--it almost made me shiver to -touch the thing, though Professor says it is very scientific, and he -disinfected it with something when they got it. And I bent up its arm, -and stuck her gloves in its fingers, and put her bag over the arm, and -it looked for all the world like Miss Hodges in a grouch, and she is -grouchy most of the time." - -"Yes?" - -"But I did not hear the recitation bell ring, and the door opened and -in came the physical geography class and Miss Hodges. She was not at -all pleased. So she invited father to come and talk me over with her." - -"All right, I will go," said Mr. Artman quietly. - -Zee sighed heavily. "I hope you understand, father, that I know it was -a perfectly repre--repre--" - -"--hensible," prompted Treasure softly. - -"Yes, reprehensible thing to do, and I am fearfully ashamed of it. And -it makes me sick to think I had to bother you when you are busy. But -Miss Hodges need not have been so huffy about it. She's got a little -more flesh, but her disposition isn't half as good as a skeleton's." - -"Zee, you must not speak disrespectfully and flippantly of your -teachers. It is not right, and it is not kind. If Miss Hodges has a -room full of children as full of mischief as you are, it is no wonder -she is sometimes impatient and nervous." - -Zee subsided. - -Mr. Artman rose from the table rather wearily and Zee brought his hat -for him humbly. - -"I hope you believe that I am sorry, father," she said as they set out -together. - -"I think you are sorry to bother me, but I must admit that I do not -think you are sorry you annoyed Miss Hodges." - -"I do think it was rather a good joke on her," admitted Zee. - -"Miss Hodges is doing one good and noble thing. She is working hard, -long hours and very wearily to earn money for herself and her mother -and that little nephew who lives with them. She has to labor for -her very bread, and for theirs also. Any one who makes life harder -than need be for those who must toil for their existence is--excuse -me, dear--but any one who does that is either needlessly cruel or -criminally thoughtless. Whether she is the type of woman you like, -whether she appeals to you personally or not--that is nothing. The fact -remains that she is working for her life--and I hate to think it is my -little girl making things hard for her." - -Zee marched along beside him sturdily, without speaking for a while. -Her dark merry eyes were clouded. Her rosy lips were a straight scarlet -line. Two blocks, three blocks, they traversed in silence. Then she -slipped little clinging fingers into his hand, and said softly: - -"Father, I am sorry now--and I won't ever, any more. I have tried to -tease her, and I like to make the other kids laugh. But I never thought -of it the way you told me. Will you try not to be ashamed of me?" - -His hand closed over hers companionably. - -"And, father, you need not believe me to-day--that I am sorry. Wait and -I will prove it to you. For don't you think I see that we preachers -have to make things easier for folks, instead of harder?" - -"I do believe you, of course, Baby," he said, smiling down on the sober -face. - -Even he could not repress a smile when Miss Hodges came in wearing her -coat and hat, with the bag in the crook of her arm--for in his mind, -schooled to imaginative flights by a long life with merry daughters--he -could see the scientific skeleton similarly garbed. - -Miss Hodges' face was grave, but not unfriendly. - -"I think Zee can fix this up with you herself, Miss Hodges," he said, -holding her hand warmly in his. "I need not say how much I regret -it--but Zee and I have been talking together--and I want her to speak -for herself." - -"I am sorry this time, truly--not just for playing pranks, for somehow -that never seems really bad to me--it must be the original sin, I -suppose. But I am sorry that I have just openly tried to make things -mean and hateful for you. I never thought of it that way before. I -thought it was sort of your job to put up with the mischief. I can't -promise to be an angel like Treasure, for I was not born like that. -But I am going to try very hard not to annoy you, and I'd like to be -friends, if you don't mind." - -Thinking it over afterward, Father Artman felt that Zee had left many -loopholes for future escapades, but her voice had been sincere, and her -eyes honest, and Miss Hodges had accepted the apology promptly. And -knowing his girls, Mr. Artman felt confident that Zee's loyalty to the -manse would keep her from open disgrace again. - -"Something just has to be done about that Zee," Rosalie said to -Doris. "And it certainly is up to you, General. Why, she gets more -scatter-brained and harum-scarum every day. Can't you steady her up a -little?" - -"How? It is all right to say it is up to me--but who can take a puff of -thistledown like Zee and steady it? She does not grow that way." - -"Well, this will hold her down for a week or so, but you'd better think -up some way of handling her. Something has to be done, and right away, -too. Why, she is fourteen, and in high school. I was practically a -young lady when I was in high school." - -"You were practically a young lady when you were in kindergarten," said -Doris gaily. "My, what pretty airs you did put on. You always would -carry the finest handkerchiefs, and how you would scheme to get a fresh -ribbon oftener than anybody else." - -It did seem that so severe a lesson as this should be sufficient even -for the Imp. Yet the very next morning Doris found herself involved -once more. Going to the girls' closet on an errand, she was surprised -to find Zee's school shoes, sensible, comfortable, roomy shoes of -enduring calf-skin. The "Sunday shoes," of nice shiny patent leather, -were not in sight. Yet Zee had gone to school. - -"She is almost as problematic as Rosalie herself," said Doris. - -She knew Zee's passion for the Sunday shoes, and that the calf-skin -ones were abhorred by her fastidious young soul. But that she would -openly revolt and toss all orders to the winds--Doris grieved over -it heavily. But she would not take this to father, poor soul, he had -trouble enough with her yesterday, and Davison's funeral to-day was -grief enough. - -When Zee came into the dining-room at noon she wore the calf-skin -boots. Doris could hardly believe her eyes. Yet there they were--and a -serene smile on Zee's merry face. - -"Miss Hodges and I got along like cooing doves this morning," she -announced triumphantly. "She said I had my lesson perfectly, and I said -her new hat was very becoming." - -When the girls came to the kitchen to say good-by to Doris before -starting back to school, she left her work and followed them to -the front door. Zee still wore the heavy shoes, but she hung about -impatiently, plainly waiting till Doris should return to her work. At -last, depressed in attitude, the two girls started away, and Doris -disappeared. Just a moment later came the sound of skipping running -steps, and Zee slipped in and darted for the stairs. - -"Zee!" - -Zee halted abruptly, one foot poised for the step. - -"Were you going up to change your shoes?" - -"Y--yes." - -"Don't you know you are not allowed to wear your Sunday shoes to -school?" - -"Y--yes." - -"Then why, please?" - -"Because I hate calf-skin shoes, I hate 'em, I hate 'em. Big ugly -clumsy clod-hoppery stogies! I think they are abominable. I'll bet they -were the thorn in the flesh Peter talked about--or was it Paul? Anyhow, -I can't think of any worse kind of a thorn. I think they are downright -wicked. And I won't wear them--unless I have to," she added hastily, -noting the military firmness in the General's face. - -"I am sorry, Zee, since you hate them so terribly. They are not pretty, -I know. But if you wear the Sunday ones to school, they wear out so -fast, and they are so expensive. And, oh, my dearest, we could never -afford it on father's salary, you know that. But I will compromise -with you, for I don't like to make you wear things you despise. If you -will wear these out, when they are gone, your next pair of school shoes -shall be, not patent leather, but much finer and softer than these--oh, -much finer." - -"Oh, that is just ducky of you, General," said Zee gratefully. "But -mayn't I wear the others--just this afternoon?" - -"No, absolutely not. You were very deceitful and disobedient, slipping -in to change them on the sly, that way, and you shall not wear the -others by any means." - -But the next morning, as Doris stood at the window watching the girls -as they walked away, she noted a curious bulging under the side of -Zee's sweater. - -What could it be, she wondered? Then like a flash, she ran up the -stairs. The Sunday shoes were gone--also the calf-skin ones. Grimly she -waited until Zee came home. - -"Zee," she began softly, so father might not overhear, poor father, -having so much trouble with bad people who would die and require -funeral services, and good people who would live and never go to -church--certainly he should not be bothered with Zee's shoe situation. - -"Did you wear your calf-skin shoes to school this morning?" - -"Y--yes, I wore them to school," said Zee with an almost imperceptible -emphasis on the "to." - -"Did you take the Sunday ones with you?" - -"Yes. Doris, I can't bear those old stogies, and so I just wore them -to school, and then I changed them in the cloak-room, and you can see -yourself it wouldn't wear them out any--the good ones, I mean--just -wearing them inside the school-room and not walking in them." - -"But you disobeyed." - -"I know it," said Zee cheerfully. - -"And you tried to deceive me." - -"I know it." - -"Now I have to punish you." - -"All right, General, but let me tell you in advance that whenever I can -sneak those Sunday shoes to school, I am going to. So you'd better -make it a good punishment while you are at it, so you won't have to do -it over and over." - -Doris looked at her sister soberly, and her heart swelled with pity, -for the sentence she was about to pronounce was dire indeed. - -She took the fine shoes from Zee. "This is the punishment. You can -not wear the fine shoes again any place for six weeks--not to church, -nor any place--just the stogies, everywhere you go. And you shall not -have these again at all until you promise on your word of honor that -you will not wear them without permission. I know you will not break a -solemn promise." - -Zee's face paled with the solemnity of it. "Oh, Doris!" - -"You can talk it over with father if you like. I wanted to keep him -from worry, but go to him if you wish." - -"Nothing doing," said Zee flatly. "He has that way of looking that -makes you so ashamed of yourself. I think it is an imposition -for fathers to look like that, that's what I think. Tell me one -thing--does the promise still hold good about the new shoes--that they -are to be finer and softer than these when they are worn out?" - -"Yes--when these are worn out." - -"These will last a year, I know." - -"Oh, Baby, you know we preachers can't afford to throw away perfectly -good shoes like these." - -"Can't we give 'em to the heathen? They are awfully good shoes for the -heathen, Doris. Why, they would last forever, and keep the snakes off, -and-- Shoes like that were just intended for heathen." - -"I am afraid we can't, Zee. Sometimes I think there is quite a lot in -common between the heathens and us preachers--and this is another bond -of sympathy. So we will stick to the shoes ourselves." - -Zee looked very sad indeed as the shiny shoes were taken up-stairs and -carefully locked in an old trunk. Then sudden determination dawned in -her dark bright face. - -She raced into the yard, and began a desperate course of exercise, -jumping, running, clambering up and down. Gentle Treasure, trailing her -devotedly, was put to woeful plights. And Doris, looking out, could -hardly believe her eyes when she saw the violent performance of lazy -little Zee. Then came revelation. - -"I am sorry for you, Treasure," panted Zee, pausing a moment. "But I -am going to run and jump and climb and jar the life out of these old -stogies." - -For a moment Doris hesitated. Then she turned resolutely and closed the -window. - -"Providence had to overlook quite a little, even in the saints in the -Bible," she said to herself excusingly. "I guess I can overlook a few -things myself. Isn't it strange," she said to Rosalie, "that somehow -the naughtier folks act the sweeter they seem?" - -"I don't know what you are talking about," laughed Rosalie. "But if you -mean me, I quite agree with you." - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE BLESSING - - -Oh, day of rest and gladness! - -There was one hour in the week when Doris felt she could lean back and -sigh aloud in relief and contentment, with every member of her little -family before her and mischief out of the question--the hour of the -Sabbath morning worship. Father was in the pulpit, Rosalie was at her -side in the choir loft--and Rosalie in the choir loft was a changed -being, for some inner, inherent sense of fineness restrained the -naughty fairies in her witching eyes for that one hour only. And down -in the eighth pew to the right sat Treasure and Zee, very respectable, -very reverent, very austere. - -Rosalie never missed one word of her father's discourses, but Doris, -strangely enough, once in a while went wandering. It was so blissful to -see the brood safe sheltered before her eyes. It really was the only -time when she could think with any degree of consistency or comfort, -without fear of violent and climactic interruption. - -But one morning, just as she was getting pleasantly relaxed, and father -was nicely started in Point One--she opened her eyes wide, and leaned -forward. There in the ninth pew next to the aisle--Deacon Fenton's -pew, and how annoyed he would be when he arrived in the middle of -Point Two--right there, as sure as you're born, sat that aggravating, -infuriating, mysterious Mr. Wizard that nobody knew. - -His eyes were upon her, and though his face remained properly grave -and in keeping with a Presbyterian service, gay greeting flashed from -his eyes to her, and Doris-- Well, it was more than human frailty -could stand. She smiled, and then she blushed, and could not keep -her eyes away from that serene provoking face, though she did try -desperately and was ashamed of herself all the time. Father was doing -splendidly--she was subconsciously aware of that, and was so proud of -him. It had never before been quite so imperatively necessary that -he "do well." Rosalie looked very sweet and dignified, altogether in -keeping with a manse and a church, and not a bit frivolous as she had -at the Country Club da--party--that was a comfort. She was sorry she -could not point out Treasure and Zee to him also, they did look so -spiritual and fine in their Sunday clothes--it was really once in a -lifetime to designate them as manse material. He seemed to be paying -close attention to father-- Whoever in the world could he be? And there -came Deacon Fenton, sure enough--with his usual prejudice against the -first point--and he got very red in the face, but the Exasperating -Thing smiled pleasantly and shoved along in the seat, and settled down -where he could see father when he looked at the pulpit, and could -see Doris when he looked at the choir loft, and--Doris openly and -deliberately nudged her sister. - -The Exasperating Thing lowered his eyes at her reprovingly, but Doris -could not resist. - -"Who is that in Deacon Fenton's pew?" she whispered. - -Rosalie looked that way unconcernedly--she did not seem to notice how -romantic and curious and compelling he was--and shook her head. Doris -subsided then, but when she came down from the choir loft and found him -waiting for her at the side entrance, she was glad. She held out her -hand. - -"Rosalie did not know you either," she said. "I asked her. Will you -come and meet father?" - -"Sorry, but not to-day. It would spoil the mystery. Come along with me, -Little Seeker After Thrills, I want to walk home with you. I go your -very way." - -"I usually stay and shake hands with the members, but it will be fun to -slip away for once. Then they will be gladder to see me to-night." - -So they hurried away, and Doris noticed that while many nodded to her, -no one had a word of familiar friendliness for him--so she knew he was -a stranger to all. It seemed odd that he could remain unknown in such a -little town--he must live very quietly and to himself. He could not be -a teacher, she was sure of that, for teachers, like "we preachers," are -honor bound to make friends. - -"Has the butterfly of the fold been in any new mischief since the -dance?" - -"Call it a party. We preachers do not go to dances. No, indeed, she -hasn't. Didn't you notice how sensible she looked this morning? She is -really very good, if she only takes time to think. She decided of her -own accord and free will not to dance any more at all." - -"Then since it was her own free will, I suppose you feel it was -predestined, don't you?" - -"Perhaps," said Doris politely, for she never could keep that -free-will-predestination puzzle quite straight in her mind--though she -was very sure father was right about it. - -"And what have you been doing since that night?" - -"Washing, and ironing, and cooking, and helping the girls with their -lessons, and scolding father, and patching. What have you been doing?" - -"I? Oh, I have been haunting." - -"You have been--what? Now you are teasing again. I never knew any one -as grown up as you who teased so much. Do you live in this part of -town?" - -"You know we haunts just live around in the air, and do our ghosting -when the ghosting's good." - -"Oh, let's talk sense. I expected to see you before this." - -"I have seen you frequently." - -"You have! I haven't seen you once, and I have been looking for you." - -"One morning I saw you digging potatoes in the garden of the manse. And -your father stuck his head out the window and scolded you." - -"He doesn't approve of my digging potatoes, but he is so busy all the -time he forgets and so if I wake up early enough I sneak out and do it -to get ahead of him." - -"And one morning I saw you flying down the middle of the road in a -kimono, yelling at the milk man." - -"We were going to have company for luncheon, and I forgot to leave a -message in the bottle that I wanted cream," explained Doris, flushing. - -"And one morning, very early, I saw you run out-of-doors in a shower, -barefooted, and your hair hanging, and you wore your father's old coat -and hat, I think, and you were gobbling tablecloths off the line." - -"They did not dry, and I left them on the line over night. But the -shower came up, and I had to rush after them." - -"And one morning--" - -"Don't you ever sleep? How does it come that you always see me some -ghastly hour in the morning? Why don't you appear about three in the -afternoon, when I am nicely brushed and have on a fresh dress, and look -like a preacher?" - -"Morning is my own particular time of day. So beware how you venture -out, for you can't escape my eyes." - -"You must be a milk man." - -He only laughed. "Now tell me the truth, have you thought of me once -since the da--party?" - -"Yes, not being a regular sphinx, I have. I have thought of you very -often--you are the funniest thing I ever saw. But somehow I did not -expect to see you at church." - -He joined her laughter. - -"Come in and have dinner with us," she said warmly. "Please do. I am -a wonderful cook. Zee says my mashed potatoes taste almost exactly -like--plum pudding. Would you consider that a compliment?" - -"By all means. But I can not come for dinner to-day. We wizards do not -eat, you know. Be kind now, and get into more morning difficulties so I -may laugh at you, will you?" - -Doris walked into the manse with a very thoughtful air. - -"I have always told Rosalie it was silly to be constantly finding -mystery in every little thing--but I see now that mystery is more fun -than anything else. The silly old thing--why he must be nearly as old -as father. But how he does laugh! He isn't a minister, that's certain. -And he isn't a doctor, for everybody knows doctors, besides they -always talk shop. And he doesn't look like a worker--I mean a hard -worker-- Isn't it ridiculous? What do I care who he is--but it is lots -of fun." - -As they sat at dinner, Rosalie said suddenly, "Oh, father, you must -scold the General. She is getting very worldly. She was flirting with a -stranger in the congregation. She picked out a handsome man, and kept -looking at him, and he smiled at her, and she asked if I knew him right -in the middle of the second point." - -"Could you know him in the second point if you didn't know him anywhere -else?" demanded Zee. - -"There wasn't a handsome man in church except father," declared -Treasure. - -"General, I am astonished," said their father with smiling eyes and -solemn face. - -"Don't you believe her. He wasn't a stranger in the first place, and in -the second I only looked at him once--or twice," she finished feebly. - -"Oh, what a story. He was, too, a stranger. Didn't you ask if I knew -him?" - -"I can't remember his name. But I met him at the Country Club -da--party. I talked to him there quite a lot, and--" - -"Oh, you dangerous girl! You know, father, these quiet modest -ones--look out! They always make trouble. No wonder you had such a -glorious time--flirting with a stranger." - -"Rosalie," said Doris with intense dignity. "I did not flirt. I just -talked, and we talk to everybody, don't we--we preachers?" - -"But who is he?" - -This, it seemed, only Providence could tell. - -"Why didn't you ask him?" - -Doris hedged quickly. It was all very well to play mystery with -that Aggravating Thing, but she had a strong feeling it would sound -ridiculous to the family, and they were such laughers. - -The day of rest, truly--but always a stormy one for families of -parsonage and manse. - -They had not finished dinner when the superintendent of the -Sunday-school called Mr. Artman to the phone. - -"Miss Munsing says she will not keep her class any longer," he -protested peevishly. "I want you to talk to her. Why, she is one of -our very best teachers, young and lively, and her girls adore her. She -says she is not capable, or some such nonsense--bright clever girl -like that. You talk to her, will you? She promised to see you this -afternoon." - -Mr. Artman shook his head despairingly as he returned to the table. - -"You women," he said. "You don't know how upsetting you are. I would -have sworn that Miss Munsing was more in harmony with her work than any -teacher in the school, and here she throws up her hands." - -"Do you mean she is giving up the class, father?" asked Treasure -breathlessly. - -"Just that. Says she is not capable, or something." - -"Why, Treasure, isn't she your teacher? And you all love her, don't -you?" - -"Hum, yes," said Treasure thoughtfully. "You talk her into it, father. -It would break up the class to lose her." - -"What is the trouble, anyhow? Has anything gone wrong? If there has -been any mix-up, you ought to know it." - -"The girls are just crazy about her, and we have the best record for -attendance in the whole school. I suppose she is giving up the class on -account of me." - -"On account of you!" - -This was unanimously exclamatory. Rosalie was always problematic, and -Zee was a living fount of mischief, even Doris was given to moods -and fancies. But Treasure was the serene untarnished blessing of the -family, always gentle, always friendly, tranquil and undisturbed. -Could Treasure, the sweet, cause agony to any young shepherdess of the -Sunday-school flock? The exclamation was followed by silence, long and -profound. - -"D--on't you like her?" asked Doris at last, in a weak voice. - -"I love her with all my heart." - -"Do you cut up in Sunday-school, Treasure?" asked Zee. "I am surprised. -Miss Conroy has to shake her head at me sometimes--but I certainly am -ashamed of you. I--I didn't think it." - -"Of course I do not cut up in Sunday-school. I am surprised you would -even mention such a thing." - -"Well, go on, Treasure, and tell us," said Rosalie impatiently. "You -are the last person in the world one would suspect of disrupting a -religious organization." - -"Yes, go on and tell it, pet," said her father gently. - -"And talk fast, Treasure. You are so poky. I could tell six volumes -while you get into the introduction." - -"There isn't any introduction to it," said Treasure in her gentle -voice. "You know, father, when you go over the lesson with us on -Saturday night, you bring out a lot of good points that Miss Munsing -does not think of." - -"Yes." - -"Of course, it would not be right for me to speak up and tell things -she does not know--it would sound smarty--as if I were trying to show -off. So I just ask questions, and sometimes she does not know the -answers. Then the whole class gets into a discussion, and then I say, -'Maybe it is this way,' and I tell what you have said, and she says, -'Yes, that is it, of course.' And sometimes I think of questions that -nobody has explained, and I ask--and she can't answer. This morning -she got rather red, and looked nervous. But she is a dear thing, and -I don't expect her to know as much as a preacher, of course. And I -hope you will make her keep the class, for we could never get another -teacher like her. I am truly sorry, father, and I will promise never to -ask another question." - -Doris flushed suddenly. "But--she ought to be free to ask questions, -father. Miss Munsing should study the lessons more, and find the -answers." - -"I suppose it is not just pleasant for a teacher to have her scholars -wiser than she," said their father slowly. "I can see how she feels -about it." - -"But she ought to study more," insisted Doris. - -"I shall never ask anything else," declared Treasure. "We can't give up -Miss Munsing. I know the rest would rather have her than some one else -who could answer the whole Bible. I think I prefer her myself." - -"Finish your dinner now, girls; I shall try to think of some way to -manage," said Mr. Artman quietly. - -When Miss Munsing came to the door Doris greeted her cordially. "Father -is waiting for you in the study. Mr. Andrews telephoned that you were -coming." - -"I suppose you think I am just terrible to go back on my job," said -Miss Munsing, lifting troubled eyes to Doris' face. - -"I never think anybody is terrible," said Doris, laughing. "I am too -well acquainted with my own self to sit in judgment on anybody else. -Treasure says the girls will never give you up. Leave it to father. He -will fix you up." - -So Miss Munsing went up-stairs, and Doris and the others waited -impatiently until the front door closed behind her when the interview -was over. Then they trooped eagerly into the hall, waylaying their -father on the stairs. - -"Did you persuade her?" - -"Was I the trouble?" queried Treasure. - -"Yes, you were the trouble sure enough," said Mr. Artman, pinching her -cheek gaily. "She felt the class should have a teacher who knew--and -she said frankly that she did not know. She had thought it quite a -simple matter to teach a class of young girls, using pretty stories to -illustrate plain points--but she said our gentle little Treasure hurt -her conscience to the point of insomnia." - -"Did you tell her I promised--" - -"Yes, but Miss Munsing is no quitter. She would not hear of such a -thing. She said it would be bad for you, and bad for the rest, and -worst of all for her. She would not even discuss it." - -"What did you do, father? Of course you thought of something." - -"I suggested what we have been trying to arrange for the last year--a -teachers' study class. We have voted on it a dozen times, but always -there was an overwhelming majority against it, because their evenings -were so full of other things. And I--although there were a few who -wanted it--I guess I was a quitter myself. I said if the teachers did -not want or need it, I had no time to waste on it." - -"No one could expect you to give up a whole evening for people who were -not interested," cried Doris loyally. - -"Miss Munsing and I picked out Tuesday night, and she and I are going -to have a Teachers' Study Class. The others will be invited and urged -to come. But Miss Munsing will be here, and I will be here--and we are -going to have that class if nobody else ever does show up. It was not -your fault, Treasure, and it was not Miss Munsing's fault, for she -did her best. It was really I to blame, for I should have counted the -evening well spent if it helped even one teacher in her work. Much -obliged, Treasure." - -Then he went up-stairs. - -"What in the world did he mean by 'Much obliged'?" puzzled Treasure. -"It was my fault, too, for now it means another evening of hard work -for him, and his evenings were so busy anyhow. And then he says 'Much -obliged.' Preachers are funny, even father." - -Sunday afternoon in the manse was supposed to be comfortably quiet--not -prosy. And for the first hour after the dinner work was finished things -went smoothly indeed. The girls read their Sunday-school papers. Then -Treasure and Zee had a game of Bible Prophets--enlivening it by betting -pennies on the outcome--"Not gambling at all," insisted Zee. "Because -the pennies go into the mission box on the kitchen shelf, no matter who -wins. The only difference is, if you win, you get the credit on the -Lord's account-book, and if I win, I get it." - -As long as Doris did not find out why that afternoon game of Prophets -was one of such intense and absorbing interest to the lively girls, all -went well enough. - -The Sabbath never failed to bring a problem for Rosalie. - -"Oh, General," she cried, dancing away from the telephone. "Our little -crowd is going for a long auto ride out to Miriam's for supper--a -nice Sunday supper of bread and jelly and milk and pie--and may I go, -darling General?" - -"But Christian Endeavor--" - -"Oh, Bud promised faithfully to bring me back in time for it. The -others are going to spend the evening and sing, and roast marshmallows, -but out of deference to us preachers he promised to have me home by -seven." - -"Ask father," countered Doris. - -"Oh, General dearest, you know father ought not to be bothered on -Sunday afternoon. It wouldn't be right." - -"Rosalie, don't ask me. I want you to do whatever you want to, but-- -How many are going?" - -"Twelve, I suppose. Three cars full. Bud is going to take me in his -brother's runabout." - -"Twelve. Then it is a regular party." - -"Oh, not really, dearest. It will take an hour to get there, and -then it will be nearly suppertime, and we will have to come right -straight home afterward. You know Miriam's people are terribly -religious--not like us preachers, of course, but very particular. One -time they were dancing on Saturday night, and they sent us right home -at midnight--they said there should be no dancing in their house on -Sunday. I was there, but I did not dance." Rosalie laughed a little. -"So the next Saturday night when we were there, Miriam's Aunt Gertrude -turned the clock back an hour, to give us a little more time." - -"There would not be any dancing then, that is one thing," said Doris -thoughtfully. - -"Well," admitted Rosalie honestly but reluctantly, "Miriam's parents -are out of town, and Aunt Gertrude is the chaperon to-day." - -Doris looked at her in exasperation. "You bad girl, you fooled me on -purpose. Run up and ask father, dear, won't you? It will only take a -minute, and he won't mind. I can't settle it for you." - -"Oh, Doris, it would be mean," protested Rosalie conscientiously. - -"Very well, then, Miss Rosalie, decide for yourself. I think you get -along better on your own responsibility anyhow. Puzzle it out for -yourself, go or not, just as you think best." - -"Then I shall go," said Rosalie positively, and she went into the hall -for her hat. "You think it is quite all right for me to go then, Doris?" - -"I do not think one single thing about it." - -"But you will not object if I go?" - -"I shall not even mention it." - -"Everybody else goes, and they are just as good as we are--better than -Zee and I." - -"Perhaps." - -"Oh, you bad General, you make me so cross," cried Rosalie, tossing -her hat to the floor. "Why didn't you just say I couldn't go--I never -disobey you, do I? Or why didn't you say I could go, then if my -conscience hurt me I could say it was your fault. Now you have spoiled -the whole thing!" - -Rosalie ran to the telephone and called a number in a voice unruffled -and sweet. - -"I can not go, Bud. It is really quite a party, you know, and Sunday is -the Sabbath for us preachers. It was just dear of you to bother with -me--I should think you must be tired of trying to be nice to a cranky -old preachy crowd." - -Then she listened a moment while he voiced fervent denials. - -"Oh, that is nice of you, Bud, and I know I should have loved it, but -you see how it is, don't you?" - -A moment later she gave a gleeful little cry, "Oh, truly, Bud, would -you enjoy that? I am sure it will be all right--wait a minute, till I -ask Doris. Oh, Doris, he says he does not care to go, and his brother -has given him the runabout for the rest of the day, and he wants me to -go for a quiet little drive with him, and-- Is that all right? Oh, you -darling General!" - -"Of course it is all right, and ask him to come to supper here, -Rosalie, and go to Endeavor with us." - -So Rosalie gurgled rapturously into the transmitter and received a -hearty acceptance, and then flung her arms around her smiling sister. - -"Oh, General, I am so glad we decided it that way. I know they would -dance--a little--I would not, of course--but I do love to drive, and -I don't get a chance very often, and Bud is always so good to me. Will -you have something a little bit kind of extra nice for supper?" And -Rosalie danced off up the stairs, singing merrily. - -Doris smiled and sighed in relief. "That settles Rosalie for this -afternoon. The other girls will be up and going in a minute, I suppose, -the game must be nearly over. But it is a whole lot to have Rosalie -fixed." - -At that moment Treasure picked up the cards and began putting them into -the box, and Zee walked slowly but proudly to the kitchen. A second -later Doris heard the tinkling of pennies, and Zee came back into the -room. - -"What were you doing, Babe?" - -"Putting some pennies in the mission box," came the even answer. - -"What shall we do now, Doris? We don't want to play any more." - -"Haven't you something to read?" - -"We've read everything in the house a dozen times. May we go over to -Grahams'?" - -"Oh, not to-day, dear, they are so noisy. Wait until to-morrow." - -"May we make some candy, Doris? And pop corn?" - -"Oh, Zee, not on Sunday. Why don't you take a walk?" - -"Too hot," objected Treasure. "Let's go and make father tell us a -story." - -"You wouldn't bother him to-day, surely. He has to go to Waltons' at -three for the wedding." - -"Why can't we go to the wedding with him? We are very good at weddings." - -"Not this time, dear. We weren't invited. It is just a quiet wedding on -the rush--they start east this afternoon, you know." - -"I don't believe in weddings on the rush--they ought to take their time -and have old shoes and rice and refreshments," insisted Zee stubbornly. - -"What shall we do then, Doris? You ought to think of something." - -Doris racked her brain. She had to rack her brain every Sunday -afternoon, but somehow she could not keep a supply of ideas in storage. - -"Why don't you go to the meadow and pick some goldenrod?" she suggested -finally. "Bud is coming to tea with Rosalie, and think how it will -please her." - -Treasure and Zee looked at each other, and as neither could think of a -plausible objection, they acted upon the plan. - -When they were gone, Doris got up, luxuriously, and lifted her arms -high above her head. - -"Oh, day of rest," she breathed fervently, and wandered comfortably -through the house and into the yard. Sunday was a blissful day, after -all. - -Later in the afternoon she arranged the table attractively for tea, -and made a pile of dainty sandwiches. And it was in the midst of this -occupation that she was interrupted by the jingling of the telephone. - -"Is this Miss Artman? Miss Doris-- Do you recognize my voice?" - -"Oh, Mr. Wizard, I wish I didn't. Then you would have to tell me." - -He laughed at that, and his laugh was as pleasantly aggravating by -telephone as in person. - -"However did you come to call me up?" she asked. - -"Sad news, my friend, sad news. Two young girls claiming to belong to -you are under arrest out here on a charge of trespassing." - -Doris trembled so she nearly dropped the receiver. - -"Arrest?" she faltered. - -"Well, practically. You see there is a big sign up which says, 'No -trespassing,' and along came two young girls walking beside the creek, -picking flowers, and shooing birds, and chasing rabbits, as natural -as life. Out jumps a wild and angry game-keeper--so-called. He says, -'Didn't you see that sign, "No Trespassing"?' The little dark one -began to cry, but the other one said, 'We are not trespassing, we are -picking flowers.' 'They are my personal flowers,' said the game-keeper. -'Nothing of the kind, they are God's, you didn't even plant them, for -they are wild.' Then I arrive, like mercury on the wings of the wind, -and the dark one was still weeping--" - -"Zee doesn't cry," wailed Doris. - -"She does cry. She not only cries, she bellows. But the slender, white -one insisted they were not trespassing because they are preachers and -preachers do not trespass. What shall I do with them?" - -"I do not know," faltered Doris. "Father is at a wedding, and-- Who is -the cross old bear, anyhow?" - -"Search me," he said blithely. "I think maybe I can bribe him off. -At present the girls are seated comfortably on a fallen tree eating -apples, the baby has quit bellowing, and the game-keeper is gathering -some late roses for them. Holding them in sweet confinement until you -guarantee that they are yours. I guess I can fix it up with the old -man. Don't worry then, I shall give it my personal attention, and see -that your erring and trespassing--for they were trespassing beyond a -doubt, manse to the contrary notwithstanding--sisters are restored -to the shelter of the fold. Don't worry. Aren't you glad you have a -mysterious wizard flitting about to shield your--your--your--I can not -think of a word to do them justice-- Anyhow, to keep your sanctified -but erring family out of jail?" - -Then he hung up the receiver before Doris could even thank him. - -How agonizingly she waited--and how calmly and confidently they came at -last--the calloused little wretches--Zee bearing a bountiful armful of -goldenrod and crimson roses, and Treasure laden with luscious fruit. - -"Well, for goodness' sake," exclaimed Zee when she saw Doris, white -and trembling. "Did you think they could really arrest us--preachers? -Impossible! Of course the old reprobate--I use it scripturally, so -don't get excited--of course he scared me right at first, I wept a -little, very effectively, and Treasure put her arm around me and said -she wouldn't let him hurt me. He was very cross. We call him the -Corduroy Crab, for short--and because we don't know anything else to -call him." - -"You might know we would not let them arrest us, Doris," said Treasure -gently. "You should not have worried." - -"Of course, he was simply foaming at the mouth. He was going to march -us home in disgrace, to report us. But Treasure sat right down, and -said we would come and report ourselves, but we would not be marched -through town in disgrace. Treasure came out like a brick; I was -surprised at her." - -"What were _you_ doing all the time, Miss Zee?" - -"Well," confessed Zee reluctantly, "I was behind Treasure most of the -time. And then the other fellow--I wonder who in the world he was?" - -"He made me angrier than the Crab did; he thought he was so funny!" - -"He was going along, and came in to see the excitement. And he laughed -at us--the hateful thing. And when we said we belonged to the manse -he laughed more than ever. He was not a farmer, I am sure--he wore a -silk shirt, did you notice that, Treasure? We call him the Curious -Cat--Curious because he was so funny, and Cat because he laughed. He -gave the old Crab some money and said he would assume responsibility -for us, and he told us to wait until he telephoned to verify us, or -something, and he asked the Crab to pick us some regular flowers to -atone for his irreverence in assaulting a manse, as it were, and -the Crab really was pretty decent after that. When the Cat went to -telephone, I asked who he was, and the Crab rolled up his eyes and -said he never laid eyes on him before. And then the Cat came back, and -brought us home in his car." - -"Where was it?" asked Doris curiously. - -"It was in the hickory grove, this side of the tumble-down house--I -did hear that some one had bought the place, but I did not believe it. -Every one says it is haunted. But of course haunts do not work in the -day-time, and the flowers were gorgeous. We got quite chummy with the -Corduroy Crab before we left, and asked if we might have a picnic there -some time, and he said yes." - -"However did you get away out there, anyhow?" - -"Oh, the Maples came along in their car and asked if we wanted a ride, -and when we got out there and saw how fine the flowers were we said we -would get a ride back easy enough." - -"Here comes father!" - -The girls raced down the stone walk to meet him, and Doris returned to -the kitchen. - -"Did you ever hear such a thing in your life?" she thought to herself. -"How does he get every place--and how does he know everything-- Oh, I -think I'll take a walk out there myself some of these fine days--maybe -I'll get arrested, too!" - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE WILL - - -"Father, are you studying, or are you plain fidgeting?" asked Doris -suspiciously, pausing in the act of dusting the pile of manuscript on -her father's desk. - -"Just plain fidgeting, I am afraid," he admitted. "I am nervous." - -"Nervous!" - -"I believe that old fellow left me something in his will," came the -sober confession. - -"Davison?" - -"Davison." - -"But why should he leave you anything?" - -"Well, for that matter, why shouldn't he? Didn't I have to preach his -funeral sermon--hardest job of my whole ministry?" - -"But what makes you think--" - -"Folsom called me up and asked me to be at his office at eleven -o'clock for the reading of the will. Folsom is his lawyer." - -"Oh, they just want you for a witness, goosie." - -"You don't witness wills when they are dead--I mean, you witness the -will when the dead person made it--before he is dead, of course." - -"Oh, father, I couldn't have bungled it worse myself," she cried -gleefully. "But if he left you anything, I hope it was money. Maybe he -left you a thousand dollars. Father, if he did leave you a thousand -dollars, will you buy me a pair of two-tone gray shoes, twelve dollars? -Somehow the height of my ambition seems to be two-tone gray shoes, -twelve dollars." - -"Two-tone gray shoes! Do they make shoes to music now?" - -"Absolutely--and very expensive music, too--an orchestra at the very -least. A thousand dollars!" - -"Don't set your heart on it. I don't think he had any money." - -"What did he have?" - -"A little farm, and some chickens, and some books that were handed -down to him from somebody else, and a pianola that he got by a -mortgage, and a gold-headed cane--" - -"That is it, father, of course--the gold-headed cane. I am sure of it. -Of all things in the world that you can't use, and I don't want, a -gold-headed cane comes first. So that is probably what you will get. I -feel it in my prophetic soul. Cheer up, dear, I believe you can pawn -it." - -"Why, General, what a pessimist you are to-day. Maybe he left us the -chickens." - -"No such luck," she answered gloomily. "Didn't he have a handsome -imported Italian pipe? Maybe he left you that. Or an old English -drinking tankard--he must have had drinking tankards. Or a set of -hand-carved poker chips-- He would chuckle in his grave if he could -wish something like that on you. Don't talk to me of wills any more, -father. No wonder you are fidgety. Run along now, and if you get a -gold-headed cane don't you bring it into the manse. And if you get a -sterling beer mug, you give it to the heathens. Now scoot." - -Laughing, her father scooted, and Doris smiled after him tenderly. - -"It would be nice if the old sinner did end his bad life well by -leaving father something really decent. And goodness knows father -deserves it. He had to get him out of jail twice, and pray him through -delirium tremens four times." - -Still she would not allow her hopes to rise too buoyantly, for she had -learned from a life of well-mixed joy and discomfort not to expect the -very greatest and grandest of all good things--and then whatever came -was welcome, because it was more than she expected. - -But when along toward noon she heard the call of the telephone, she -leaped excitedly to answer it. - -"Yes, yes, yes, of course it is. What did you say? What--did--you--say? -Do it again, father, and slowly." And then she repeated after him -solemnly, word for word, "The prize Jersey cow, or the red auto he was -always getting arrested for speeding. And take your choice. Mercy me! -Good-by." - -Doris hung up the receiver and sat down on the floor. Of all things in -the world! A Jersey cow--or a naughty red car! And father was to take -his choice. - -[Illustration: A Jersey cow--or a naughty red car!] - -When the girls came clamoring in from school Mr. Artman had not -appeared, so Doris served them with hands that trembled, and finally, -when she saw that father would not come in time to break his own good -news, she said: - -"Mr. Davison left a will and father gets a Jersey cow or the red -car--which?" - -There was no more dinner after that--for the girls all began talking at -once--except Treasure, who looked volumes, but never had an opportunity -to break into the conversation--and how cross they were at father for -not coming home to share the excitement. But maybe he was learning to -drive the red car, or-- - -"Milk the cow," faltered Rosalie. "You don't suppose father would let -them talk him into taking the silly old cow, do you?" - -"Absolutely not," said Doris imperturbably. "Father knows better than -to decide such a thing by himself. He will come straight home--and I -choose the car." - -So the girls reluctantly went off to school again. - -At one o'clock a neighbor ran in. "Well, what do you think of that? Did -you ever hear of such a thing? Would anybody but old Davison ever think -of leaving a preacher anything in his will?" - -"Mr. Davison was very thoughtful in many ways," said Doris with dignity. - -"Yes, I suppose so. Well, it certainly is wonderful luck for you folks. -It is a good cow, one of the best in the county. Everybody says so. -Worth two hundred dollars, and only three years old. And think of the -nice milk and cream and butter and--" - -"You don't mean to say father took the cow," gasped Doris. - -"Why, I don't know--I suppose so--I should think he would. Whatever -would your poor father do with that devilish little red car? Of course -he will take the cow." - -"You scared me for a minute. I thought maybe father had a mental -aberration and did it! No, he will not take the cow--not by any -means. He will take the car, and take it just as fast as ever he can, -and--and--and--" - -Of course, the neighbor lady was sure dear Doris was quite daft, but -Doris was tranquilly confident. Her faith in her father's wisdom -remained unshaken--he would come to her, and she had already chosen the -car. It certainly was a General's prerogative--choosing things. - -At four o'clock he came, smiling, his face flushed, his eyes bright and -boyish. - -"Most fun I've had in ten years," he said, mopping his brow. "I think -if the parishioners knew how much fun it is, more of them would die, -and remember me in their wills." - -"You mean--" - -"Never mind what I mean. I am not sure I know myself. Well, as I told -you, Davison says it is for my own personal use and pleasure, mine and -my family's--not for the church under any consideration--either the -cow or the car. Probably, he says, in his outspoken way, I shall be -fool enough to take the cow, and in that case the car is to go to his -great-grand-nephew up in New London. And great-grand-nephew greatly -prefers the car, so he took me out to show me the cow, and explain what -a bargain she is, and how easy to milk, and how creamy the milk is, and -he figured up how many pounds of milk and gallons of-- No, I mean it the -other way, gallons of milk and pounds of butter I will get per year, -at so much per gallon and per pound, and that will mean a clear profit -of--" - -"Father, you poor dear, shall I call a doctor?" - -"So, after seeing the cow, and she is a beauty--I said, 'How about the -car? Let's give her the once-over, too, while we are at it.' He says -it isn't much of a car, in terrible condition, would take a hundred -dollars to put it in shape, and fairly eats gasoline--gas going up, -too. And he says it is a bad car to handle, quite dangerous, in fact, -has a habit of running into telephone poles and trains and things. But -we backed her out of the garage, and great-grand-nephew and Folsom and -I had a ride. Which do you want?" - -"Mercy, father, how abrupt you are. I thought it was settled long ago. -We want the car, of course." - -"All right, my dear, all right, but I have a hunch that -great-grand-nephew will not be particularly pleased. Lucky he lives in -New London instead of here--Congregationalist, too, that's good. And -when I consider that I got Davison out of jail twice for speeding the -thing, I think after all it is my just deserts. All right, call Folsom -up and tell him we take the car." - -Doris ecstatically did, and the lawyer said he would deliver the car at -their door in person the next morning at nine o'clock. - -"Can't you make it eight?" pleaded Doris. "I think the children ought -to be here, and they are in school, you know." - -Very obligingly Mr. Folsom consented to the change of time, and the -entire family sat up until eleven o'clock that night figuring out how -to make motor bonnets of left-over coats and planning vacation motor -trips for ten years in advance. - -At five-thirty the next morning Treasure and Zee made a tour of the -house, wakening every member of the family in no idle manner. - -"Going to sleep all day?" Zee demanded in a peevish voice when she had -shaken Rosalie four times. "Get up, so you'll be ready for the car." - -"Zee Artman, you go right back to bed, and let me sleep," protested -Rosalie. "Do I have to sit up all night just because the car is coming -to-morrow?" - -"You get out, or we'll pull you out. Treasure and I are all dressed. -We're not going to have things held up at the last minute because -somebody isn't down yet. Are you going to get up-- Have you got the -water, Treasure?" - -In the face of such persistence the others were helpless, so they -rushed down and had a feverish breakfast, with Zee dashing away from -the table every three minutes to see if the car had come, and at -seven-thirty they were grouped impatiently at the front window. - -"Keep behind the curtains," Rosalie urged, "or he will think we never -had a car before in our lives." - -"We must call it the machine," said Zee. "Machine sounds so -unconcerned." - -"Motor, you little goose," said Rosalie. "Machine is what the business -men call it. The highbrows say, 'The motor will be here at six.'" - -"We must give it a name," said Treasure. "Let's call it the Shooting -Star." - -"Let's call it the Divine Spark-- It is the only divine thing old -Davison ever did." - -"Girls," said Doris firmly, "don't you ever let me hear you speak -disrespectfully of poor Mr. Davison again. He certainly had a kind and -generous heart and he must have sympathized with dear father, walking -all over town in all kinds of weather, and--" - -"Pretty good sort, after all, wasn't he, Doris?" laughed Mr. Artman. -"One post-mortem virtue like this will cover a lifetime of delirium -tremens, won't it?" - -"Here she comes," shouted Zee, and the family forgot its ministerial -dignity and rushed pell-mell down the stone walk. - -It was a pretty car, giddy and gaudy as to color, which fascinated -Zee, with a softly whirring motor that reminded Treasure of a happy -little kitten, and with long low lines that Rosalie declared were very -smart indeed. - -"Get in, folks," said Mr. Folsom gaily, "we must give her a trial run." - -So the three older girls stepped loftily into the tonneau, and Zee -snuggled up between her father and Mr. Folsom in front--there may have -been bigger, more wonderful, more luxurious cars--but the Artmans could -not be convinced of it, and Mr. Davison improved steadily with every -turn of the motor. - -Mr. Folsom, enjoying their passionate delight, volunteered to spend the -morning giving the minister his first lesson, and a near panic ensued. - -"Oh, Doris!" - -"Do we have to go to school?" - -"Oh, dear, sweet, darling General, it never happened before since we -were born." - -"What do you think, father?" said Doris slowly. - -"You are the General," came the quick response. - -"Then," said Doris, in a clear triumphant voice, "step on it! What do -we care for school, and work, and mending, and dishes, and-- Begin, Mr. -Folsom. We'll see the morning through." - -It was lovely to see precious old father take that gay young interest -in bolts and screws--how readily his laughter sounded--how deep and -pleased his voice rang out. Poor, dear Mr. Davison--well, we preachers -are only to lead, and not to judge, and Doris was very, very sure the -angels in Heaven must know many good and tender things about the man -who did this kindness to her father. - -Some of the people of the fold thought the family had mentally run -amuck. Whoever heard of an impecunious minister taking an expensive -auto in preference to a money-making cow? It was incomprehensible. But -even those who wondered, smiled with loving sympathy when the family -bundled joyously into the motor "just to have a good time for an hour." - -"But wherever in the world we are going to scare up money for gas is -more than I can figure out," said Mr. Artman, looking at the girls -with sober eyes. "We've got the car--but it won't run itself. It costs -twenty-five cents a gallon, and we only get about eighteen miles to the -gallon--" - -"Don't do figures, father, it makes my head ache," pleaded Doris. "We -must concentrate. Where is the money for gas? Everybody think now." - -After a painful silence Treasure came forward with the first sacrifice. -"I will give half of my allowance--but it is only a dollar." - -Zee frowned at her. "That's a poor idea," she said. "Now I have to live -up to your precedent, and give half of mine. That is another dollar." -And then, with a truly herculean effort she added, "And, Doris, I will -go ahead wearing stogies to school, and you can have the price of the -fine shoes for gas, too." - -"That is just fine for a starter," said Doris. "And since you little -ones have set the example, I know I can cut down on the expense of -cooking--we must use less butter, and less sugar, and other rich -things. I am sure I can save a few dollars every month, and you will -never notice the difference. It will take a little more planning, and a -little more work preparing the food--but I am willing to do that. Put -me down for at least three dollars." - -Rosalie sighed. "What can I do? I have my winter clothes already, and -my allowance--I can't give it up, for if I haven't any money the other -girls will pay my share of things, and I can not sponge on my friends, -you know." Then she added slowly, "But father gave me the money to join -the Golf Club--and I only wanted to join because it is so smart--I get -plenty of exercise without it. It is five dollars to join and two-fifty -a month. That goes into the gas." - -"Rosalie, that is lovely--and so sweet and unselfish. Now we can use -the car with clear consciences, and we will enjoy it all the more -because we are making a sacrifice to pay for our pleasure." - -"How can I help?" asked their father suddenly. "I should like to follow -your lead. Is there anything I can give up, or go without? How do men -economize, anyhow? I shave and shine myself already. Cigars--I never -use. Theater tickets--never even saw them. What can I give up?" - -"Oh, father, I never thought of that. You do not have any money -for yourself at all, do you? You always turn it right over to me. -Are--we--as poor as that?" - -There was tragedy in the young voice, and she broke over the words. - -"Why, Doris, I did not mean it that way. I have everything I want, of -course. Fortunately, a minister's clothes do not go out of style--and -it saves me trouble and worry to let you spend the family fund instead -of doing it myself." - -"Then you shall be treasurer of the gasoline money. It will make you -feel like a millionaire, you poor old soul." She ran to her desk and -brought out the box of household funds. "Here is my three dollars-- And -don't you get reckless and spend it for tires and rugs and things." - -Laughing gaily, the other girls brought out their hoarded dollars and -thrust them into his hands. - -"I have not felt so affluent for lo, these many years," he declared. -"Let's go out for a spin in the motor, shall we? And we'd better run by -the garage and fill her up--the tank is nearly empty." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE SERPENT - - -Mr. Artman looked up from his mail, frowning gently, and Doris, always -quick to note his changing moods even in the midst of directing -Treasure about the proper distance from the table for her chair, and -admonishing Zee to eat her oatmeal from the side of her spoon, was -prompt to voice a query. - -"Don't frown, father, it isn't ministerial. Has somebody else left you -a will?" - -"No such luck. I was not frowning at the letter--I have a headache." - -"Oh, father," cried Zee. "It is because the girls make such a racket. -Go to bed, won't you, and I myself will stand on guard and keep peace -in the family." - -"Zee's spirit is willing to be quiet, but her voice and her heels give -it no support," smiled Rosalie. - -"It is not the noise. I like to hear the incessant chatter and chase -below stairs when I am working. This fellow--" - -"Fellow, father?" - -"Minister," he amended quickly. "He is a minister, but he is tired of -pastoral work and wants to try his skill in evangelism, and insists -on coming here to practise on us during his vacation. But we aren't -ready for evangelistic meetings--and personally I should prefer -another-- Anyhow--" he frowned gently at the letter again. - -"Tell him so," advised Doris. - -"I did. But he says he is coming for a visit anyhow, and he insists it -is a direct guidance of Providence." - -"Direct guidance of his bank-account, probably," said Rosalie. "Don't -let him work you, father." - -He shook his head at her reprovingly. "If it should really prove a -guidance-- Anyhow, as he says, he is coming and will be with us a few -days to think it over." - -"Then I can not go to the country to-morrow," said Doris. "Rosalie is -no fit person to cook dinner for a visiting minister." - -"I am sorry, dear." - -"Yes, of course you are. I can see quite plainly that you do not -want him any more than I do. But never mind. The country will remain -forever, but--" - -"Some visiting ministers do, too, if they get a chance," chimed Rosalie. - -"Rosalie! I dare say he is very nice, and we shall all enjoy him -immensely. Shan't we, father?" - -"I hope so--I think so. He is--I do not know him very well." - -"Evidently he did not make a special hit with you," said Zee shrewdly. - -"Oh, girls, how prying you are. He is very active and enthusiastic. -That I was not personally drawn to him is rather my fault than his, no -doubt." - -"We are going to be very nice to him," said Doris. "And Rosalie can -take him in hand, so he won't bother you every minute." - -"Oh, he is married. And I must say his wife is nice enough to make up -for--" - -"Father!" - -"Excuse me, dear, I mean his wife is--very nice indeed." - -So the visiting minister came, the Reverend Andrew Boltman, a nervous -energetic man with dark eyes, and hair just tinged with gray, and he -settled down for a visit in the manse, trying, meanwhile, to effect -arrangements for the services, which Mr. Artman still insisted were not -desirable at the time. - -On the second day of his visit, when Mr. Artman announced his intention -of going to a lecture at the college, Mr. Boltman said he preferred -to stay quietly at home and read if he might be excused, and his host -went away alone, seeming almost relieved to be free to follow his own -desires for the afternoon. Doris went serenely about her housework, and -Mr. Boltman picked out a comfortable corner in the living-room with his -book. - -But late in the afternoon, when her father returned, he found Doris -alone at the window, impatiently tapping her foot on the floor. - -"Where is Mr. Boltman?" - -"Gone down-town. Something is wrong with Rosalie. She is up-stairs, -crying. It must be pretty bad, for she would not tell me about it." - -So Mr. Artman went up-stairs to Rosalie, slowly but without delay, -feeling that vague helplessness that comes to men when there is trouble -in the family. - -She was lying face down on the bed, rigid, her hands clenched tightly, -but her shoulders rose and fell with heavy sobs. - -Something in her attitude told him that this was vital, not just a -little tempestuous outburst that could be readily brushed aside. He sat -down close by her on the bed, and laid his arm across her shoulders -tenderly. - -"Rosalie," he whispered, and as she flung herself upon him he caught -a glimpse of a white face and stormy eyes, quickly hidden from his -searching gaze. - -Very gently he caressed her, asking no question, patting and fondling -her as he would have done to a little hurt or frightened child. And -then when the sobs came more easily, she stood up away from him -suddenly and looked straight into his face, and her eyes were hard. - -"I do not intend to be a Christian any more--not ever any more. It -is all over. I hate them. I think they are horrible. Christianity is -nothing--it is a cheat--and ministers are the worst of all." - -"Rosalie, my little girl, have I--done something?" he cried in a -startled voice, for this was new even to him, who had coped with the -moods of daughters for many years. - -"Oh, father, not you--how can you think that? Listen. It is that -wicked, abominable old married Boltman. What do you suppose he did? -I came in from school, and Doris was at the store. He said I was the -loveliest thing he had ever seen, and I said, 'Thanks,' very curtly, -for I thought it was downright impudence, that's what I thought. And -before I could even dream of such a thing, he put his arms around me -and kissed me twice--kissed me--right on the lips. He did." - -She had spoken in a low voice, but every word fell so clearly, so -distinctly, that it was almost as if she had shouted aloud. - -"Rosalie!" said her father in a hoarse whisper, and Rosalie could see -that his hands shook. - -"He did. He kissed me--twice. Is that all the ministry stands for? And -he is married, and has children of his own--and he is in our home, and -I--why, I am only a kid." - -"And can one--man--kill your faith in the sanctity of the ministry--one -man, Rosalie?" - -"There may be some other decent ones besides you--but how can I tell -which ones they are? How can anybody tell?" she wailed. "They all come -praying, and saying sweet and gentle things--how can you tell which -ones are true and which ones--are like Boltman?" - -"We have always had the wolves inside the fold, dear. And of old, you -know, they had their false prophets teaching error." - -Rosalie drooped her head against his arm, and did not speak. The -gentle, so dearly loved voice, seemed to comfort her. - -"I had hoped--I have tried--to keep my life so clean before you girls -that if ever a time should come, like this, when your faith was put to -the test, you could look at me and say, 'But there is father.' I have -always felt it was a part of fatherhood, to be a living proof before -the children of the home. I must have failed you some time." - -Rosalie clung to him, shaking her head in violent denial. - -"He ought to be put out of the church," she whispered. - -"We are human, Rosalie, as well as ministers. And human flesh is not -invincible. God is very, very reasonable with us. David betrayed his -trust, but God forgave him. Peter denied his Lord, but was restored to -favor. I think that God forgives us when we fail Him even yet--even we -ministers--if we go to Him for purging." - -"But, father, if the ministry can't keep a man good--what can?" - -"Nothing but the spirit of the Lord, working in us, nothing else, -Rosalie. And have you lost all confidence in the ministry?" - -Rosalie squirmed. "Not in you, dearest. Just in the rest of it." - -"Oh, Rosalie, is your faith so small? People on whom I counted have -failed me many times, yet I trust the next one just the same." - -"You have more trust to begin with than I have. And he looked so--ugly, -father--in his eyes. I hate to think that women have to sit in the -church and look up to him in the pulpit--God's pulpit, that is sacred." - -"Rosalie, I want to talk to you just a minute, and then I shall go down -and leave you alone to think it over by yourself. Of all the ministers -we have had in our home, he is the first to betray our trust. Only one, -out of the dozens we have had. I put it to your sense of justice, to -your belief in fair play. Your finger is pricked by the thorn on the -stem of the rose, but you do not turn your eyes from all the lovely -roses forever after. The dog goes mad and bites the hand that has -petted him, but you do not say all dogs must suffer death. One girl -who has been your friend is false to the friendship and betrays your -confidence, but you do not deny yourself the friendship of other girls -on that account. Many a woman has been deceived by her lover, but she -does not shut her heart to love and truth the rest of her life because -of that. And many parents have been cut to the quick by the ingratitude -and the disloyalty of a much-loved child, but they do not turn deaf -ears to the claims of other children. It may be _consistent_, Rosalie, -to say that if one of a species betrays you none of that species can be -trusted--it may be consistent, but it is not generous, it is not kind, -it is not womanly. Think it over, dearest, and I shall come to you -again after while." - -Then he went down-stairs, and stood grimly at the window waiting until -Mr. Boltman turned in at the gate of the manse, and went out the stone -walk to meet him. - -"Have you decided about the meetings yet, Brother?" asked Mr. Boltman -eagerly, not noting the white lines on the face of his host. - -"Yes, I have decided. I am going out to the garage--come along, will -you?" - -After a while Rosalie came down-stairs looking for her father, and she -hovered close to Doris as if enjoying the protection of her nearness, -but offering no explanations, and Doris asked no questions. So the two -were together when the kitchen door banged open, and Zee and Treasure, -trembling and pallid, rushed in upon them. - -"What is it?" cried Doris nervously. "What is the matter? Did something -happen?" - -"Oh, awful," cried Zee, quivering. "Father and Mr. Boltman had a fight." - -"What?" - -"They came into the barn--we were in the haymow, and father asked if -he was going to explain something, and Boltman laughed kind of funny -and said, 'Oh, be reasonable, Artman, you know we are all human.' And -father said, and his voice sounded very grim and--like an archangel, -or something, and he said, 'Yes, thank God, we are, but some of us have -manhood enough to make us good to children and loyal to our friends.' -And father said, 'There is something in the Bible about the man who -puts a stumbling block in the way of one of His little ones-- And you -have put a block in the path of faith for one of the children of the -church.' And Boltman said, 'Won't you pray with me, Brother?' And -father said, 'Yes, in a minute. But first I have to let you know what -I think of you.' And father knocked him down-- He did that very thing, -we were peeking through the cracks, and Boltman's nose bled something -awful. Then father got a piece of waste out of the car, and wet it at -the hydrant and gave it to Boltman to wipe the blood off, and then he -said, 'Now we will pray.' And they knelt down-- What did father say in -his prayer, Treasure? I was so scared I couldn't hear good." - -"He said, 'Oh, God, wash the heart of this man who professes to be -thy minister, and teach him loyalty, teach him tenderness, teach him -purity!' or something like that. And he said, 'And, dear God, help me -to remove that stumbling block from the path of Thy little one.' And -then father said, 'Now get out. I will pack your bag and send it to the -train for you.'" - -"And father struck out through the meadow as fast as he could go, and -Boltman wiped the rest of the blood off, and went toward town, and--" - -"Whatever in the world do you suppose--" - -"We must not ask any questions, girls," said Doris quickly, without -glancing at Rosalie's face. "It is something connected with the -ministry, and you know those things are sacred to father. So we must -not ask about it, but let it pass." - -Rosalie's eyes were suddenly very bright, and she turned and ran -breathlessly up the stairs. She knew that when her father was ready, -he would come to her. And after a time, came father, with a little of -shame in his eyes, and a flush on his face. - -"And how is the Problem now?" he asked gently. - -"All solved," she cried. "A fatherly blow from a strong right arm was -the answer." - -"I--You--How--" - -"The girls were in the haymow, but they do not know what it is all -about, and Doris said we preachers must not ask questions in a case -like that." - -"Rosalie," he said, "some people say that God does not watch over us, -and guard us. Yet Providence certainly kept that man out of the house -when you first told me,--I am afraid I could have killed him--there -was hate in my heart--not now, dear. And believe this, dear, I did -not strike him in anger. I thought it over carefully and decided it -would do him good. But I did not hit him furiously, or wildly--it was -deliberate." - -"Then you do not always believe in--turning the other cheek?" - -"I do not believe in carrying it to the point of offering another -daughter to the man who offends," he said quickly. - -"I think," she said thoughtfully--"I believe--a false prophet was -probably the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. They are very upsetting, -you know--I am sure it was nothing less than a bad minister that -overcame Eve's scruples." - -"Perhaps." And then he added wistfully, "Do you still have that feeling -of abhorrence for--us preachers?" - -"Oh, father, nobody could lose confidence in the ministry when you -emphasize your argument with your muscle. It is all over. Isn't it a -good thing I know you? For you could cancel a dozen bad preachers, -for me at least. I'm sorry for the way I talked. It was very foolish, -and very wicked. Why, do you know, for a while, I actually held God -responsible for that creature? I thought, 'How can God allow such a -monster to go about preaching His gospel?' And then, after you talked -to me, I saw that he was only the serpent trying to despoil God's -vineyard." - -"Oh, Rosalie, how many of us do that very thing. Instead of thanking -God for the lovely vineyard He has given us, we blame Him for the -serpent curling at the roots. Yet the serpent is not all powerful--even -we have strength to drive him away--God saw to that. But no, instead -of using our strength as it was intended, we say, 'God should not allow -the serpent in the vineyard!' Then it is all over, and you are still -glad and proud to be one of 'Us Preachers,' are you?" - -"Gladder and prouder than ever," she said warmly, but her father saw in -her eyes a little dark shadow of disillusionment that had never been in -Rosalie's bright eyes before. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -DISCIPLINE - - -"Oh, we had a perfectly glorious time, Doris," cried Rosalie, skipping -into the manse with her face fairly glowing. "It is such a lovely -crowd, and we have such laughing times together--and we got whole sacks -full of hickory nuts, and Bert gave me his share, too. Is supper ready? -I am so hungry. We thought we had twice too much lunch, but we ate it -all, and were tempted to raid the orchards coming home, we were so -ravenous. Do hurry along, there's a nice General. Do we have to wait -for anybody?" - -"Oh, Rosalie, how young you are when you are hungry," cried Doris -affectionately. "It isn't nearly time for dinner, but we'll eat as soon -as the girls come. Father won't be here to-night, and we only have -cream potato soup, but you love it, and I made heaps. Aren't the girls -in sight? They promised to come early and--" - -"Yes, here they come. You dish up the soup, and I'll carry it in." - -So with a great deal of chattering and laughter, and endless running -back and forth, Rosalie pulled up the chairs and carried the plates -of soup to the table, waltzing Doris to her place just as the younger -girls came in. - -"Hurry, hurry," begged Rosalie. "Father isn't here to-night, so you -needn't take time to brush. For once I am glad we don't have to wait -for the blessing." - -So the girls rushed to the table, and when Rosalie was happily immersed -in her soup, Doris said, rather shyly: - -"I am glad you spoke of the blessing, Rosalie, for--I want to say -something about that myself, and I haven't had the nerve, though I -have been thinking of it for quite a while. I think it is a shame for -us preachers to sit down and eat without giving thanks, just because -father is not here to do the talking for us." - -Rosalie paused, spoon lifted in mid-air. "Mercy, General, are you brave -enough to tackle that?" - -"I agree with you, Doris," said Zee promptly. "I feel like a heathen -when we eat without the blessing. And I think you and Rosalie ought to -be ashamed of yourselves." - -"I am willing to take my turn," said Treasure, "if you won't be -critical." - -"Why, Treasure, you dear little thing. Then is it all settled that we -take turns giving thanks when father is away? For I believe father -thinks we do it right along, and I should be ashamed to let him know we -don't." - -"I can't--I am too young," said Zee bashfully. - -"You aren't too young to thank father when he gives you a nickel." - -"Well, I will try it once, but I speak for the last turn. And if -Rosalie so much as smiles I'll never do it--" - -"Say, do you think I am an infidel?" demanded Rosalie indignantly. "Of -course I shall not smile. Go ahead, then, General, begin." She dropped -her spoon and shut her eyes. - -"Maybe--shall we--do you think I ought to--" - -"Let's draw cuts to see who takes the first plunge," cried Zee. "I'll -hold the straws while the rest of you draw." - -"Zee, sit down. I am surprised at you. We must not draw cuts about -the blessing. I will begin." Doris looked anxiously about the table, -scanning her sisters' faces for signs of amusement, but they were -preternaturally grave and earnest. - -So in a meek and lowly voice, in a manner that spoke of anything but a -pharisaical blasting of trumpets, Doris asked a blessing on their food. -And the girls sighed with satisfaction when she said Amen, proclaiming -their comfort in having conformed to the ministerial proprieties, and -kept the sanctity of the manse intact. - -"We had a perfectly ducky time to-day," said Rosalie, while Doris was -refilling her plate with soup. "We got a half a bushel of nuts apiece, -and Bert gave me his besides, on condition that I invite him to help -eat them once a week." - -"By the way, who went nutting to-day, anyhow?" asked Zee suddenly. - -"We did--our college bunch." - -"It was not your Sunday-school class, was it?" - -Rosalie flashed a questioning look at her sister. "No, it was not the -class--exactly," she said reluctantly. "The girls are in my class, -though." - -"Was it the whole class?" persisted Zee. - -"Why are you asking so many questions? What difference does it make -to you who went? Whatever made you think of the Sunday-school class -anyhow?" - -"We met little Nora Gordon on the street to-day, and she asked if you -went nutting, and who went along, and I said Mabel and Frances and -Gloria and Annabelle and Sara and the college boys. And she said, 'Then -it was their Sunday-school class, and they didn't invite my sister and -she feels awful.'" - -"Oh, mercy," said Rosalie, "we tried to keep it from her--that is, we -didn't suppose she would find out--anyhow, it was a college crowd, and -Alicia Gordon does not go to college." - -"Did all the rest of the class go except Alicia?" asked Doris. - -"Well, yes, it isn't a very big class, you know, and we all go to -college, except Alicia. She works. But is was a regular college -crowd--and the boys don't like Alicia, she never has a date with -anybody. She is kind of poky." - -"You knew it would hurt her feelings if she found it out, didn't you?" - -"Well, perhaps, but we didn't intend she should find it out. I wonder -who told her? It was a nasty little trick, and if you did it, Miss -Zee--" - -"I didn't. What did I know about your old picnic? And when I saw how -Nora felt, I told her over and over it was a college affair, didn't I, -Treasure?" - -"Yes, but their feelings are hurt, anyhow." - -"Now, of course, you are blaming me, Doris, but we couldn't take her -along. The boys don't care for her, and she can't expect us to make -dates for her." - -"What is the matter with her?" - -"Nothing, but she sits around like a stick and never says boo. Boys -make her nervous. I like her well enough myself, though she never says -much and clams up completely when a man heaves in sight. A pretty -enough girl, and dresses well--but what could we do with her on a -nutting party?" - -"I think it was a very un-manse-like thing to do, and I am sorry." - -"I am sorry she found it out myself. But I hardly know her." - -"Why don't you know her, if she is in your class?" - -"She never goes where we go, and--you just can't get acquainted with -her." - -"Did you ever try?" - -"Um, not very hard, I suppose. She ought to meet one half-way." - -"Some people can't, and you know it. That is why they have us -preachers, to go the whole way to meet those who can't, or won't, come -a step toward us. I'm afraid--you ought to be disciplined, Rosalie." - -Zee leaped up, clapping her hands. "Good. Whip her, Doris. Go on, give -her a good one, for once, the bad thing." - -"Oh, Zee, Doris can't whip a big thing like Rosalie," protested -Treasure anxiously. - -"Don't be silly, girls," said Rosalie. "I see what you mean, Doris, and -I am quite willing. Pronounce the sentence, General." - -"Well, Alicia works on Saturday morning, but she is off in the -afternoon, isn't she? So the punishment is that you must have her -come and spend the afternoon and stay for supper and all night and go -to Sunday-school with us the next morning. Then you will have a good -chance to get regularly acquainted with her." - -Rosalie went directly to the telephone. "Well, now is the-- Oh, Doris, -not this week. We are going to stay all night at Adele's you know, and -make taffy." - -"I am sorry," said Doris gently. - -Rosalie soberly searched her sister's face a moment, then without -comment, called the number, and asked for Alicia. She gave the -invitation in a friendly cordial voice, showing no hint of perturbation -or coercion, and after a moment's pause, Alicia accepted. - -"But whatever in the world we are going to do with that solemn Alicia -Gordon for eighteen hours, I do not know. You'll have to do most of the -talking, Doris." - -"Oh, no, indeed; she is your guest. We put her in your hands absolutely -and you alone will be responsible for her comfort." - -"But, General--" - -"If she is my company, you won't get much punishment out of it, will -you?" - -Rosalie sighed heavily. "Eighteen hours--she will come right from -work--that means luncheon. Oh, Doris, you do not know what a blow she -is. And a nice enough girl, too--but whatever can we talk about for -eighteen hours?" - -Doris had no suggestions forthcoming, and to make the affliction -greater, on Saturday she made unexpected arrangements to drive to the -country with her father. - -"And you can get lunch for yourself and the girls, can't you, Rosalie -dear?" - -"But Alicia Gordon--" - -"Oh, she won't mind. I'll be home in time to have a nice dinner for -you. Bye, Rosalie; good luck." - -Alicia arrived from her work almost as soon as Rosalie came in from a -business meeting of the Literary Society, and a heated discussion of -menus was immediately in progress. - -"You must help us, Alicia. We are trying to get up a fashionable -company luncheon in your honor, and we can't think of anything -fashionable that I have brains enough to cook." - -Zee watched closely, but Alicia never so much as smiled, though any one -might know Rosalie had meant to be funny. - -"Let's not be fashionable," she said evenly. "Let's figure out what is -easiest to prepare, and have it." - -"Wouldn't be proper," insisted Rosalie. "Doris always wants us to be -proper when we have company." - -"French fried potatoes are fashionable," said Zee. - -"Too much work." - -"Corn fritters are nice," said Treasure. - -"I do not like corn," said Alicia. - -They looked at one another soberly. "I tell you what," said Rosalie at -last. "Let's go to the pantry and see what we can find." - -The four ran pell-mell to the pantry, and looked over the shelves -hastily, but with thoroughness. - -"A custard pie, thank goodness," said Rosalie. "That settles the -dessert." - -"I am going to have this apple sauce and bread and butter," said -Treasure suddenly. "You folks can get what you like." - -"Oh, I'm going to have toast and milk," cried Zee. "I'll toast it -myself--and--" - -"I'd like a fried egg sandwich," said Alicia, "if you do not mind. And -I want to fix it myself. I just love them, and mother never has time to -make them for our big family." - -"I'll have one, too," decided Rosalie. "Suppose you fix mine when you -do yours, and I'll be making hot chocolate for all of us. And we'll -have some sweet pickles if Zee will bring them from the cellar." - -In the confusion of getting four separate luncheons on one gas stove -at the same minute, one could not find time for much formality. Zee -stepped on Alicia's toes, and Alicia splashed hot butter on Treasure's -hand, and Rosalie let the chocolate boil over on the eggs. But finally -they were seated companionably about the table, and by that time they -were fairly well acquainted. - -When luncheon was over, Zee and Treasure set about the dishes, and -Rosalie and Alicia disappeared. But when Rosalie came into the kitchen -on an errand a little later, Zee said: - -"She seems all right, I think. I bet she needs a beau." - -"What makes you think that?" - -"Well, you say you need them to keep your soul in--to--to--I forgot -just what you do say, but anyhow you always declare you can't be normal -without a beau. And I guess all girls are alike, so Alicia needs one, -too." - -Rosalie went out of the kitchen, thinking hard. "I wonder--" she said. -"I believe I can--" She went directly to the telephone, and called -Bert. - -"I have a friend spending the night with me," she said. "A town girl. -You know I told you I was busy and could not keep our date. But I -wonder if you can't get another man and come and help us make candy?" - -Bert was desolated, but since Rosalie had said she was busy, he had -made other arrangements--he didn't care two cents about the girl they -picked out for him--wasn't it beastly luck-- He would break the date, -that's what he'd do. - -Rosalie would not hear of it, and she stopped the conversation abruptly -and looked at Alicia. - -"Men are all alike, aren't they? Here he has been telling me for two -months that I am the only girl in college--I shall get even with him. -I'll just have a senior, and that will make him wild. Bob Harton is -always asking me for dates, but is always just too late. So I can -ask him perfectly all right, and we'll have him bring--let me see--I -know--Arthur Gooding, a 'post'--and terribly sensible." - -So she ran to the telephone again, in spite of Alicia's protests, and -called the second number. - -"Oh, Bob," she began, "this is Rosalie Artman. I am always taken when -you try to make a date with me, so I thought I would try my hand on -you. I have a town girl staying all night, and we want you to come and -help us celebrate. And can't you ask Arthur Gooding to come? I do not -know him very well myself, but he is so sensible, and this is a very -sensible girl, so they ought to get on wonderfully. Will you see? Oh, -that is just lovely." - -"I do not know how to talk to men, Rosalie, I never had a date in my -life. I can't think of things to say." - -"Leave it to me," cried Rosalie blithely. "I can do most of the -talking. And Arthur is so sensible you won't have to talk. Just sit -back and look wise, and he will think you are wonderful. And Bob is -lots of fun, and--oh, it will be easy." - -The rest of the afternoon passed comfortably enough getting ready for -the evening, and the girls had told the boys good night, and gone -up-stairs before Rosalie remembered that Alicia was a bore. - -When they went into their room for the night, she turned Alicia's face -to the light and scrutinized the bright quiet eyes, and the flushed but -still placid face. - -"Marvels will never cease," she said solemnly. "I am not sensible, I -don't want to be sensible, I don't even believe in sense, and I talk -all the time, and the silliest talk I can think of--but that perfectly -dignified sober Arthur Gooding, who is a 'post,' fell for me like a -flash, head over heels. And he was invited for you! And you sat back in -a corner saying as near nothing as possible, but that irrepressible Bob -Harton could not keep three feet away from you all evening, and never -took his eyes off your face once. Come now, 'fess up. Did he make a -date with you?" - -"Three--one for to-morrow, and two for next week," admitted Alicia, -smiling softly. "Isn't he funny and bright?" - -Rosalie turned her back, and stared up at the ceiling. "Well," she said -at last, "I always have thought you quiet girls were dangerous, if you -ever get started." - -Alicia came over to her suddenly, and said, "Thank you for getting me -started. I had a lovely time. I thought you did not like me, Rosalie. -You'll forgive me, won't you?" - -Rosalie flung her arms impulsively around Alicia's shoulders. "I had -a lovely time myself. And I do like you--but I shall try to forgive -you, if you never do it again," she said virtuously. But as they were -getting into bed, she said suddenly, "Isn't that Zee the shrewd one, -though?" And Alicia wondered what Zee had to do with the question in -hand. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE BISHOP - - -Doris went to bed very early in the first place, a thing she firmly -resolved never to do again under any circumstances. Zee and Treasure -were soundly and sweetly sleeping. Father had gone, in the car, to some -very formal and dignified affair where there were to be two college -presidents and a Methodist bishop, and no one ever knows when to expect -folks home if there is a bishop in it. Rosalie was spending the evening -with one of her friends, and just an hour ago had telephoned that she -was going to spend the night, and Doris should not wait up for her. - -So in the face of all that, there was nothing for Doris to do but go -to bed. But she could not sleep. She tossed and tumbled, and finally, -after counting both sheep and stars long and persistently, and after -repeating to herself all the soothing and sleep-provoking poetry she -could think of, she did fall into a troubled slumber. - -A long time afterward she became conscious of vague unrest. It must be -terribly late, yet Doris was acutely certain that some one was moving -around--doing something--things evidently were not right. - -She slipped out of bed, and drew her flannel kimono about her. In the -next room, her younger sisters were sleeping heavily. Her father's door -was ajar, and she peered in, noting the humpy outlines of the beautiful -blue and white Ladies' Aid quilt over the tall figure. Then a sudden -glance from the hall window beside her sent a chill to her very heart. - -The door of the barn--the "garage" now, by grace of dear Mr. Davison's -red car--was slowly, softly opening. A man stepped out from the shadow -and passed inside, the door swinging wide behind him. Then came the -whirr of the engine, as he stepped on the starter. - -Like a flash Doris leaped into her father's room, and clutched his -shoulders. - -"Run, run," she shouted lustily. "Run for your life. Some one is -stealing the car. Father!" - -Under the exertion of her strong arms, the figure rose quickly in the -bed, and a long shaft of moonshine rested across his face--and it was -a stranger. Doris stared at him in amazement, holding the flannel robe -about her throat more tightly, and then she sank back away from him, -still staring. - -"Who--are--you?" - -"I am the bishop, my dear," he answered, too startled to remember he -wasn't the only bishop in the world. "Your father brought me home with -him to spend the night.--Isn't he here? Why, where is he? He came to -bed with me." - -"Good night," said Doris, with icy dignity, and she arose and swept -haughtily from the room. - -At the hall window she heard again the spin of the motor, and the low -purr as the engine leaped into action, and the car rolled out of the -garage. It was father, of course--and bareheaded, too, in the middle -of the night--an idiotic thing for a minister to do, going off for -a midnight joy-ride leaving a bishop in his bed-- Well, Doris should -worry! If a preacher couldn't take care of himself, who could? - -She went resolutely back to bed, but not to sleep. Where in the world -had father gone? Why had he brought a bishop into their home, and put -him to bed, and then sneaked off and left him there? And by every -conceivable stretch of the imagination that fellow in father's bed was -too young to do any respectable bishoping, she was sure of that. Maybe -he had only pretended to be a bishop, and father had discovered the -deception, and gone for the sheriff--or--oh, dear! - -If he was a bishop, Doris knew that no one on earth but the Methodists -would have such a young one. The Presbyterians did not approve of -bishops in the first place, but if they did, they would have old ones -with gray hair and wrinkles. - -When she heard the car run into the garage again she leaped from her -bed and hurried down-stairs. Her father and Rosalie were coming in -together, laughing as unconcernedly as though bishops were every-day -occurrences. - -"Oh, Doris, father was so excited about the bishop he forgot me," -giggled Rosalie. - -"You said you were not coming home," said Doris indignantly. - -"I changed my mind. I have a class at eight in the morning, and I was -afraid I might not make it. So I just phoned father to call for me in -the car, and he told me to wait until he got there, and I did, but he -forgot me." - -"The bishop came home with me, and--" - -"Don't I know it?" interrupted Doris hotly. - -"And I forgot Rosalie, and then when we got to bed I remembered. And -the bishop was asleep so I slipped out, and--" - -"Good night," said Doris curtly, and stalked up the stairs like an -offended Lady Macbeth. - -"Isn't she dramatic?" laughed Rosalie. "Would it shock the church if we -put her on the stage?" - -"I wonder what happened? Well, let's go to bed, she'll be all right in -the morning." - -"Aren't you hungry, 'fath'? Let's raid the pantry, shall we? That will -be a good joke on Doris, to pay her for her airs." - -After the lunch they crept softly up-stairs to bed, and Rosalie kept -up a pleasant chattering conversation which Doris met with unfriendly -silence. What in the world would the bishop think of her? Whatever were -they going to have for breakfast? Of course, father had always been -free to bring people whenever he liked--but a bishop! Oh, well! - -The next morning she ran down-stairs very early, and took stock of -the stores in the pantry. For the first time she almost wished she -had chosen the cow instead of the car--real cream would cover so many -breakfast shortages. Fortunately there was one can of peaches in the -cellar--they were being saved for a special occasion, but nothing -could be any more special than a bishop. They could not have oatmeal, -for Rosalie and father had finished off the milk. There were three -eggs--she might cook them for the bishop, and tell him the family was -on diet--ridiculous! She might make pancakes--that would be ample -excuse for Doris to remain in the kitchen, too, and although she was a -social soul, she did not yearn to appear before that bishop, in spite -of wondering whether he could truly be as young as he had looked in the -moonlight in the middle of the night. - -She stirred up the batter with commendable zeal. - -"Doris," came an imperative call from Zee at the head of the stairs. -"Oh, Doris!" And Zee's voice was shrill and penetrating. "Do--ris! Make -Rosalie give back my blue ribbon--she borrowed it--and she can't!" - -"Ummmmmm," muttered Doris grimly. "Wouldn't that be sure to happen on a -bishop morning?" She ran to the bottom of the stairs. - -"Rosalie, you can't borrow it if Zee won't lend it," she said softly, -but in a determined voice. "But I am surprised that Zee would refuse--" - -"I didn't refuse," protested Zee. "I am always willing to lend things. -But she did not ask. She just snitched it." - -"Zee, you must not say snitched." - -"She may borrow it, if she asks, and says please," said Zee. - -Then Rosalie flashed into the hall and dropped on her knees, both hands -outstretched, and cried, "Oh, sweet young sister, for the sake of my -immortal beauty, may I--" - -"Rosalie!" - -"'Scuse me, General. Please, fair Zee, may I borrow this bonny blue -ribbon to wear in my golden locks? And you'd better say yes, for I'm -going to borrow it anyhow." - -Zee promptly pushed her over backward, and Rosalie leaped up and -made a whirling rush at Zee, who tore into her own room, where Doris -could hear them bouncing into the middle of the bed with a resounding -spring--and then came stifled laughter, and squeals, and-- - -Doris ran breathlessly up the stairs. She looked soberly at the flushed -and laughing girls, all tangled up in the bed-clothes on the floor, and -then she closed the door. - -"Rosalie, what will the bishop think?" - -"Oh, mercy, I forgot the bishop," cried Rosalie. "Zee Artman, you bad -thing, see what you've done. You've shocked a bishop, and now he will -say we Presbyterians are not orthodox. It was all your fault--" - -"Bishop? What bishop? Where's he at? Where'd we get him? You don't mean -to say father brought a bishop here without a week's notice? Isn't that -like a preacher?" - -"Oh, girls, please get dressed and come and help me. The house is a -sight. Treasure left that sticky stuff--" - -"Papier-mâché," said Treasure with dignity. "It is very scholastic, we -use it to make maps with. I guess it won't shock a bishop. But don't -call it sticky stuff--say papier-mâché." - -"I do not care what it is called, dear, it must not be left all over -the chairs in the dining-room--not when there is a bishop in the state." - -"It is a shame, General, that's what it is," said Rosalie penitently. -"We'll just fly now, and help like good preachers. You run back to your -pancakes, and don't worry." - -They made so much haste after that to atone for their mischief -that almost immediately they were down-stairs. Treasure hurriedly -straightened the living-room, Rosalie set the table most -irreproachably, and Zee slipped into the back yard and picked some -golden glow. - -"Oh, the roots were on the Davis side of the fence, but what I picked -was on our side," she declared when Doris frowned at her. So Rosalie -arranged the flowers in a big blue bowl on the table, and when the -bishop and their father came down-stairs laughing agreeably, everything -was lovely, and the girls were spotlessly clean, soft as to voice, -and gentle as to manner. And although the bishop's eyes twinkled a -little, his face was properly grave. He was not even as old as their -father--think of that now--and a bishop--and he had a way of telling -stories which was quite attractive in regular preachers but seemed a -little out of harmony in a bishop--and in a few minutes they were all -good friends. - -"Is this the whole family?" asked the bishop, smiling on the three -girls with approval. - -"My oldest daughter, Doris, is getting breakfast. As a special treat, -she is giving us pancakes and maple sirup, and she feels they require -her constant presence. She will be in presently, however." - -Doris, listening at the door, could have blessed her father for the -words. He had spoken of the pancakes as a favor instead of dire -necessity--and perhaps the bishop would think that ordinarily they had -common things like bacon and eggs, and hot muffins, and strawberry -preserves, and grapefruit. More than that, he had offered a half -apology for her absence, and Doris flatly refused to appear. She would -cook for the bishop, she would wash his dishes and make his bed--but -look him in the face she could not. - -Presently they went out to the table, and Zee carefully carried the -platter of cakes to the table, and later took it back to the kitchen -for refilling. And Rosalie chattered, and smiled into the bishop's -eyes--for practise, she said afterward, not because she really hoped to -dazzle a bishop, and the breakfast went smoothly on. - -Doris, in the kitchen, flapped the cakes over, and pulled the griddles -back and forth with a fury none the less real because it perforce was -silent, for in spite of her resentment not one sound would she permit -to reach the ears of the bishop in her dining-room. And the heat of the -stove made her cheeks crimson, and her bad disposition made her eyes -like bright sweet stars. - -When breakfast was over the bishop seated himself comfortably with a -paper in a far corner of the living-room where he was out of the way, -and Rosalie ran off to college. After doing up the dishes, the younger -girls also hurried to school, and Mr. Artman went out to the garage -to look over the motor--not that he knew anything about motors, but -because all conscientious owners of autos do it. - -Doris was very much ashamed of her childish temper by this time, but -after so long an absence she had not the heart to appear properly and -humbly before the bishop to welcome him to the manse, and she stuck -resolutely to the kitchen getting things ready for dinner. Still the -bishop rocked comfortably in the living-room, the door open between him -and the dining-room through which Doris must pass to reach the other -part of the house. And there was so much to be done up-stairs--maybe -she could slip out to the barn and make father take the odious bishop -for a ride. - -Well, did you ever! There came a sudden light knock on the kitchen -door, and before Doris had time to slip off the table where she had -been swinging her heels in perplexity it opened, and the bishop's -friendly face appeared. - -"Good morning. May I come in? How busy you are to-day. I am afraid I -have caused you extra work. You are Miss Doris, aren't you? I shall -never forget the hand that is responsible for those delicious pancakes." - -"Can you ever forget the hand that jerked you out of dreamland in the -middle of the night?" she asked, laughing, the last trace of her anger -vanishing forever. - -Then they were friends, and since any one could see plainly there was -nothing in the house that needed her particular attention, she took -the bishop into the yard and they walked under the bare branches of -the maples, dragging their feet through the crinkly fallen leaves, -and then they visited father in the garage, teasing him for his motor -madness. And it was lunch time before one could realize that breakfast -was entirely a thing of the past. - -Doris could have apologized for her rudeness very easily, for the -bishop had a way of helping one to speak. But she knew it was not -necessary, for the bishop also had a way of understanding even when -words were left unsaid. And Doris wondered how he ever came to be a -Methodist! - -As Rosalie said afterward, "You ought to know better than to feed a man -such pancakes if you want to be enemies with him." - -And as Zee pointed out very plainly, "His age has nothing to do with -it. He was married once, and you could not expect them to un-bishop him -just because his wife died--I suppose bishops' wives can die if they -want to, like anybody else." - -And as Treasure insisted, "Doris is a lovely thing, in spite of being a -general, and why shouldn't the bishop enjoy a manse for a change?" - -At all events, the bishop tore himself away from the manse with the -most utter and apparent reluctance, and kept coming back now and again -in a way that was flattering, as well as unprecedented. And Mr. Artman -began to look at his oldest daughter with puzzled wondering eyes, with -something of pain in them--and the pancakes got better right along. - -"Isn't it funny how regular bishops are, when you get to know them?" -Doris said to Rosalie. "Why, I don't see any objection to them at -all--we Presbyterians might have a few of our own." Then she said, "But -between you and me, I think it is lots more fun to talk to people you -don't understand, and do not know, and--perfect strangers, you know, -who are very friendly. It is so much more thrilling." - -"But how could one be a perfect stranger and still be very friendly?" -laughed Rosalie. - -"Why, very easily indeed. You don't know him, who he is, or where he -lives, or anything--but when you are together you are great friends." - -"Who are you talking about?" - -"Why, anybody. Just any stranger that you do not know, but who has a -way of being very intimate." - -"Doris, you are dreaming," cried Rosalie. "Whoever heard of such -a thing? If you are intimate, he can't be a stranger. If you are -intimate, you've _got_ to know each other." - -"Oh, not necessarily. Not by any means." - -"Well, for my part, I prefer people I know and like--people who sit -down in the big chair and read the paper and act human." - -Doris laughed gleefully. "I don't," she said. "For once you are more -sensible than I am. I like perfect strangers that I do not know a thing -about--but can tell from their eyes that they are good--I like people -who just flit around, and come and go--like wizards." - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE RUNAWAYS - - -Treasure and Zee were in the garage, studying history in the roomy back -seat of the red car. - -"Father is very pettish about some things," said Zee, suddenly banging -the covers of the history together. "Why in the world does he always -say we are too young to drive? He taught Doris, and she grips the wheel -like mad--a very unprofessional thing to do, everybody says so. And he -taught Rosalie, and she goes tearing along, smiling here and nodding -there, and nearly runs over dogs and wagons and-- But he says we are too -young, though you are very cautious, and I am smart for my age. I know -perfectly well how she goes." - -They dropped their books on the floor and clambered over into the front -seat, Zee at the wheel. - -"First you turn this little business, and then you put this sparker -thing here, and bang down with your heel on that, and push out with -your left foot, and pull this thing back into low, and give it the gas, -and away you go, tralalalala." - -"That is right," said Treasure. "You do know, sure enough. I have -watched them hundreds of times." - -"So have I," said Zee in a discontented voice. "But that's all the -good it does. They won't let us, though we know how, perfectly well. -Treasure, don't you think maybe father would let us drive if we could -prove to him that we know how? He says we are too young to learn, but -if we show him we have learned already he certainly wouldn't have much -argument left." - -"Father is rather particular." - -"But think how useful it would be if we knew how--then if anybody -should get sick, or die in a hurry, we could rush after father in the -car, and--I am sure he would not object, if we could just show him. -Let's practise by ourselves a little, and then he won't say a word. -Think how surprised he will be." - -"Maybe you could not stop it." - -"Why, you just turn the key, that's all. It is perfectly simple. A -child could do it. Look out and see if there is any one around, will -you? I know I can do it." - -[Illustration: "Why, you just turn the key, that's all"] - -Treasure dutifully looked, and no one was in sight. - -"How surprised they will be. Won't we have the laugh on them when we -come driving up to the door?" - -So Treasure opened the door of the garage and got in beside her sister -again. Zee sat up very straight, and pursed her lips together. - -"First, turn the key." - -"Yes." - -Zee turned the key. - -"Now put the sparker business down in the middle." - -"Yes." - -Zee put it down. - -"Step on the starter." - -"Yes." - -Zee stepped on it. - -This produced a low aimless whirr, quite powerless. - -"Pull up that little flooder thing," said Treasure. "Father always does -that." - -Zee pulled it to the tiptop, and banged her heel on the starter again. -This time the enticing tug told her the engine had caught, and was -ready for action. - -"Push with the left foot and put her in low," said Zee, between her -teeth. - -She found it took quite a vicious pull on the gears to "put her in -low." And the instant it clicked into place, the car shot forward out -of the garage with a violent pull that dashed them against the seat -and took their breath away. And there was a tearing and crashing of -wood--the garage door was none too wide-- - -"Father's fault," shouted Zee, pulling on the wheel for dear life. -"Just splintered a little." - -"Slow up," cried Treasure. - -The car was in the main road now, swerving over the corner to the -right, which fortunately was a low grassy bank with no curbing. Zee, -rocking dizzily in her seat, moved the wheel from side to side at such -a furious pace that she kept the car almost inside the road, and clear -of the ditches on either side. - -"Go slow," begged Treasure. - -"I can't," cried Zee. "She must be leaking." - -After two blocks of riotously dangerous riding, Zee remembered that -if she shoved with her left foot it did something to stop it--and she -shoved, and the engine lifted, and the car slowed down. - -She turned a white anxious face toward Treasure. - -"That was some speed," she gasped. - -"Watch the road, Zee. You had the gas thing in the middle instead of -the sparker thing--" - -"Oh, sure enough, wasn't that silly?" Zee put the hand feeder in its -proper place and prepared to start again. - -"I know how to drive this car--I know how, and I will do it," she said -between her teeth. - -She put it into low again, and started once more, very slowly. - -"Put it into second now," suggested Treasure. - -Zee shoved the gear shift grimly forward--into reverse--and there was -a grinding of wheels and a curious sound of stripping gears that would -have broken the heart of an older driver. - -Zee discovered her mistake, and remedied it quickly, pulling the gear -into low once more, ready for a fresh start. - -"Oh, Zee, let me drive," begged Treasure. "I am sure I can do it." - -By rare good fortune, Zee succeeded in getting it into second gear, and -finally, with a tearing racket, into high, and leaned back in her seat. - -"This is something like, now," she panted, releasing her scarlet lip -from between her teeth. - -"The fender is all bent," mourned Treasure. - -"Oh, father'll fix it. See how well we're going now." - -Treasure said nothing. They were not yet home, and there was a wagon -coming toward them. - -Zee swung the car to the right to pass the wagon--too far--she was -fairly in the ditch at the side--with a wild turn of the wheel they -bumped into the road again, the fender banging the back wheel of the -wagon. - -"Hay, you blithering--" shouted the man angrily, and then, seeing their -predicament, he pulled off to the side of the road and turned about in -his seat staring after them. - -Zee, panic-stricken at the collision, lost her wits completely, and -couldn't remember how to stop it--but kept jamming desperately on the -gas feeder, harder and harder, swinging along the road, swaying from -side to side, while Treasure, with one long cry of agony slid into the -bottom of the car and clasped her hands over her ears. - -The car dashed madly on, and between bursts Zee pulled everything -in sight and pushed everything she could find--but that car was a -demon--it went over hills and through ditches like a thing possessed. -It swung around wagons, and ran down a flock of chickens, and--oh, -kindly Providence, which watches over straying preacher bodies--of -its own free will, though guided, of course, by a friendly -predestination--the car went slower, and slower, with a funny choking -powerless sound quite unlike its natural brisk chug, and presently -Zee's scattered wits returned to her. She turned the key, and the car -stopped. - -Treasure, sobbing pitifully, untangled herself from the gears, and -stumbled out of the car. - -"I--drove--it," quivered Zee, and she opened the door and stepped -out--falling limply on the ground. - -Treasure, forgetting her own plight, ran to Zee's assistance. - -"Nothing at all's the matter," stammered Zee, smiling pluckily. "Just -wobbly, that's all--can't stand on myself." - -So Treasure sat down beside her in the road, and they had a -heart-restoring cry in each other's tender arms, the dust of the road -mingling with their bitter tears and leaving tell-tale tracks upon -their sorry faces. Zee recovered first. - -"Crazy old thing," she said with a vicious little kick at the bent -fender. "I always said Doris should have chosen the cow." - -"What shall we do now?" asked Treasure helplessly. - -"I am going to sit right here until father comes and finds us. Oh, -Treasure, you'd better drive it off to the side of the road--and--" - -"Who--me? Not on your life. I won't touch it. It is bewitched." - -"Somebody will run into it then. Let's push it." - -Treasure had serious objections even to that form of locomotion, for -she felt in her inmost soul that the only way to keep that red demon -stopped was never to give it a start. But as Zee was insistent, she -finally consented to get behind and give a grudging push. Due, however, -to the fact that it was still in gear, and the brakes were set, they -could not budge it. So they went off to the side of the road where it -could not fall on them if anybody did run into it and waited. - -After a time a car came along, passed by, slowed up and stopped. The -driver leaned over the door of his car and asked pleasantly: - -"Are you in trouble, girls? Can I help you?" - -"Oh, no, thank you, we are waiting for father," said Zee primly. - -The driver regarded them curiously. "Don't you think you'd better pull -off to the side of the road a little? Pretty narrow passing there." - -The girls looked at the road in surprise. "Why, so it is. Isn't that -too bad?" - -"Can you drive off to the side?" - -"No, indeed, father does not allow us to drive." - -"I'll give you a push," he said very obligingly, and came at once to -their assistance. He frowned a little when he saw the car in gear, and -the brakes set, but he released them without comment, and the girls -helping bravely, the disgraced red car was moved out of the main road. - -"Shall I tow you back to town?" - -The girls winced visibly. Be towed home in disgrace--rather would they -sit there and freeze and starve and die of hunger and thirst forever. - -"Oh, no, thank you. We'll just wait for father." - -"Where is your father?" - -"He isn't here just now," said Zee faintly. - -So the man drove slowly away, looking back now and then. The girls, -in spite of the dust, did not sit in the car. They would not trust -themselves alone in that car under any circumstances. Instead they went -soberly up the bank and sat down again, side by side. Once in a while -Zee wiped her pale brow wearily. - -"Such a life," she muttered once. - -"Here comes something now," said Treasure, looking hopefully down the -road toward town. "Maybe it is father." - -"Horseback rider." - -"I hope he does not offer to tow us home." - -"If he does, I shall tell him to mind his own business." - -As the rider drew near, the girls leaned forward and studied his -features. - -"He will laugh at us," said Treasure sadly. "That is worse than -offering to tow us home. It is that horribly sarcastic Curious Cat that -kept the Crab from arresting us when we trespassed on his ugly old -ditch." - -Zee flipped over on the ground and buried her face in her hands. "I -will not look at him. Tell him I am dead, tell him-- Tell him anything, -but I can not let that hateful old thing look at me and grin." - -"Zee," begged Treasure, "sit up and be decent. I can't talk to him. Sit -up, and help me." - -Zee was obdurate. So Treasure, determined not to face the Curious Cat -without support, turned her back to the road and gazed off over the -landscape. - -The rider drew up beside the car, and stopped his horse. He looked -intently at the two girls, who saw him not--except from the very -tip tails of their eyes. Then he examined the car, whistling -cheerfully--and his whistle was more aggravating than his laughter, if -such a thing could be. He got off his horse presently and slipped the -bridle over a fence post. Then he carefully inspected the bent fenders, -and looked at the engine. And then--wasn't he the most infuriating -thing you ever saw in your life?--from the pocket of his riding coat -he pulled a package of milk chocolate, and sauntered over to the bank -where the girls still sat, oblivious of his presence. He flung himself -on the ground near them and began nibbling the chocolate. - -Treasure's lips trembled with the shame of it. Zee twisted the toes -of her shoes into the ground in impotent fury. The Curious Cat ate -deliberately, soulfully, complacently, and tossed his hat to the -ground, laying his head comfortably on his arm, his face toward the -girls. - -And to add to the insult of his presence he began humming that idiotic -little ditty about "two babes in the woods" in a soft sentimental tone. - -Zee stood it as long as she could. Then she sat up, seeming to blink -the sleep from her bright eyes. - -"Why, Treasure-- Why, I _did_ go to sleep, didn't I?" Then she saw him, -apparently for the first time. "Why, how do you do?" she said brightly. -"Where did you come from? I drove and drove until I was so tired--I -couldn't stand it, and so we stopped to rest." - -She held out a cordial hand, and he took it gravely. Then Treasure -turned upon them, and said, "Why, you here? I was--enjoying -that--beautiful view." - -"Yes, I noticed that you were wrapped up in it. Had you a pleasant -ride?" - -"Oh, lovely. But I am not used to driving, and I got so tired. I don't -believe I can ever get the thing home." - -"Maybe your sister can--" - -"Oh, Treasure will not drive. She is afraid of motors." - -"Maybe I can take you home." - -"Oh, we want to walk. We are so stiff from riding. But won't you please -take the car in--we feel like walking ourselves--it will do us good." - -He looked at them keenly. "Do you want some chocolate?" - -The girls accepted it gratefully. - -"Suppose we go on to the Haunted House, and let the old grouch give us -some tea? I feel rather weak. Don't you?" he suggested finally. - -"Very," they said with sincerity. - -"But father will find out--I mean--they will worry about us. We have -been gone--quite a while," protested Treasure. - -"He will not worry. He knows nobody would hurt nice little preacher -girls like you. I am willing--more than willing--to take the car home, -but I've got to find a place to leave my horse, and I've got to have -some tea. Is it a bargain or not? You come with me for tea, I take you -home--and I will try to sneak you in the back way so your father will -not catch you. But no tea, no sneak." - -Zee stood up. "Treasure, you may sit here and be ministerial if you -like. I want some tea." - -"That is something like. Now, you drive the car down the road to the -rustic gate, and--" - -"Who, me? I am tired of driving. I guess I won't go after all." - -"Well, then you girls must sit in the back seat and lead the horse. I -shall drive slowly." - -"I feel more like walking. I do not want to ride." - -"It is a mile and a half, and you've got to get home some time. Don't -be silly. I know how to handle a car." - -So in quivering fear the girls stepped in and he gave Zee the bridle. -Then he started the car--the treacherous, ungrateful thing!--it went -off as smoothly and gently as a perfect lady. How tenderly Zee thought -at that moment of the Jersey they did not choose. Down the road they -went very slowly, then up a long winding trail among the trees by the -creek to the Haunted House, an old-fashioned rambling building with -vines and flowers running riot in every direction. - -"Maybe he will not like it. He has a terrible disposition, you know." - -"We shall charm him. He and the house are haunted, but fifty cents will -enslave them both." - -"Fifty cents would buy two gallons of gas," whispered Zee, shocked at -the recklessness, but even her frankness did not extend to the point -of protesting at the extravagance of a stranger--especially when she -needed tea. - -The Corduroy Crab greeted them as unconcernedly as though they came by -invitation, and took the bridle from Zee's hand. - -"Sir, we had a sad accident," said the Curious Cat in a respectful -voice. "We are thirsty, tired, and--much wiser. May we have a cup of -tea on the porch in a hurry?" He slipped a half-dollar into the man's -willing hand as he spoke. - -The Corduroy Crab seemed not at all surprised. "Of course," he said -briefly, and led the horse away. - -"Now there's a gentleman," said the Curious Cat appreciatively. "Took -my money like a--preacher." - -"What do you mean--like a preacher?" demanded Zee resentfully. - -But the Curious Cat did not seem to hear, for he was piling soft -cushions into wide porch chairs where the girls might sit in comfort. - -A little later a black serving man came out and pulled a small table -from a corner of the porch, arranging it deftly with doilies, and in -less than five minutes the girls were eating chicken sandwiches and -drinking tea--to be sure, they were not allowed to drink tea at home, -but Zee said truly that their nerves required something out of the -ordinary. And there was a small silver basket of chocolates on the -table-- - -"Isn't that lucky?" said the Curious Cat, eying the candy greedily. -"It is my one and only weakness. Apart from chocolate I am free from -worldly affectations. But chocolate--I eat it with every meal, and -take a piece to bed at night. Without it I am become as a ravening -wolf and a--a thirsting camel. It does seem rather a refined and -ladylike accomplishment for one as rough and rude as I--one of the -eccentricities of Nature, who played me many pranks." - -"Yes," said Treasure politely. - -"However do you suppose the Corduroy Crab--" - -"Zee!" - -"The what?" - -"Oh, excuse me-- He won't tell, Treasure. We call him the Corduroy Crab -because he was so disagreeable, you know. I was just--" - -"Pardon the interruption--but do you mind telling me by what -particular form of endearment you designate me?" - -"The--the Curious Cat," said Zee, though Treasure kicked her smartly -under the table. "Because you were so cattish to us, making fun of us, -and laughing. Very catty thing to do. And we added the Curious because -you really are awfully--queer, you know." - -"And what were you wondering about the Crab?" - -"I was just wondering how he comes to have things fixed so lovely? -It is wonderful here. It used to be all tumbly and crazy, and things -growing everywhere, and little funny animals and bugs shooting around -in every direction--it was awful. Father brought us once because we had -to write a theme in school--and we couldn't sleep for two nights." - -"It still looks wild," said Treasure softly. "But it is such a lovely -wildness--all the ugly grime is gone, and the beauty of it is more -beautiful than ever. And it doesn't make you shiver now--it only makes -you sad." - -"It does not make me sad," said Zee. "I am never sad when there are -chicken sandwiches. And this china-- Well, I know it is better than -ours at the manse, and it was given to us by our last Christian -Endeavor, so you may know it is very nice indeed--but this is better -still--and I believe to goodness these are regular silver spoons. And -do you suppose the colored man is his servant? And hasn't he any wife? -And do you think he bought this place? I wonder where he got the money? -And why does he stay out of sight--he ought to come and eat with us, -since we are company?" - -The Curious Cat waved his arms helplessly. "I am trying to bring a -spirit from the air to answer your questions. But it does not work. I -am afraid I ate too many sandwiches. I never can do my enchantments -when I eat more than six sandwiches at a sitting." - -"I think we ought to go," said Treasure. "I am afraid we are not just -welcome. Wouldn't it be lovely to lie around here a whole day, Zee? But -we have to go." - -"Can you truly sneak us in without any one catching us?" - -"We are going to try." - -So they drove hurriedly home to the manse again, and the girls said -good-by to their Curious Cat and felt that after all he had his good -points. He did not say a word about the shattered door of the barn, and -the girls did not wonder until he had lifted his hat and disappeared -how he was going to get back to his horse again. - -They closed the doors of the barn sadly and went into the house. - -How quiet and cool and beautiful the manse was that afternoon. They -walked slowly, appreciatively through every room. Doris, sitting in -the bay-window with the eternal mending, was like a glorious madonna, -and they put their arms around her and kissed her tenderly, as girls -returned from a long absence. But she took it very placidly. They saw -Rosalie lying on her bed up-stairs, reading, and eating an apple. How -pretty and dear Rosalie was. They stood in the doorway and looked at -her almost worshipfully. Outside their father's study they stood a -long time, thinking, but went at last to their own room and closed the -door. - -A little later they heard their father at the telephone, asking -questions--but it was aimless conversation, they could make nothing of -it. How strange it was that they had not been missed. Such wonderful -things had happened, life had been spared to them by less than a -fraction of an inch--and here were their loved ones, Doris mending, -Rosalie eating apples, father writing a sermon--as serenely as though -two dear young daughters had not just been returned to them from the -shadow of the grave. - -They sat in their room, waiting, talking not at all. After a while -Doris called them to supper, and they took their places in subdued -silence. What a wonderful way father had of asking the blessing--why, -every word of it seemed to call down a benediction on every one at the -table. And how good the dinner was--they were not hungry, but it was -delicious food, unbelievably well cooked. And Doris in the big kitchen -apron was exquisite. - -When they reached dessert, Zee rose to the height of public confession. - -"Father, Treasure and I--and principally I, for I did it--were very -naughty. We took the car out of the garage, and smashed the door -getting it out, and we drove into the country and nearly killed horses -and wagons and autos and ran into ditches and bent the fenders and ran -down a lot of chickens, and got stuck, and a man brought us home. We -are very sorry." - -How calmly they took it!--a climactic, criminal thing like that--after -all, they were rather a sordid family. - -Father looked at the girls soberly, noted their pale faces, the dark -circles under their weary eyes. - -"I know it," he said at last gravely. - -"Oh, father, you knew it--and you didn't try to find us?" There was -pain and reproach in Treasure's voice. - -"I knew all that was happening," he said quickly, with a reassuring -smile at Treasure. "Mr. Smelton telephoned that he helped you to the -side of the road--that was the first we knew of it. And a little later -some one else--I did not just get the name--but he telephoned that he -was giving you some tea, and you were quite safe, and he was going to -bring you home." - -"It was that Curious Cat-- You know, Doris, the one who made the -Corduroy Crab be good to us--" - -"The Curious Cat? Oh, father, what was his name?" cried Doris, leaning -way over the table in her eagerness. - -"It sounded like--Saunders--something like Saunders--" - -"Saunders, nothing," cried Zee. "Saunders is the Corduroy Crab--we -heard that. Oh, it must have been him who phoned--" - -"He." - -"Yes, he. Because the Curious Cat was not away long enough--he just -left a minute--to see about the horse." - -"And then he told Saunders to telephone--" - -"Yes, of course." - -Doris sat back. "The old torment. How can anybody find out about such a -curious old--Curious Cat?" she wondered to herself. - -In answer to her questions, the girls could tell little. - -"He does not live at the Haunted House, just the Corduroy Crab--and -the--the--" - -"The Courteous Coon," cried Zee. "Let's stick to our harmony." - -"They live there, and the Curious Cat lives somewhere very near--and -things are lovely at the Haunted House, there are flowers on the porch, -and pictures, and curtains--did you ever hear of such a thing? Soft -brown curtains of silk rubbery stuff--and it is lovely. And the vines -are all red and gold, and the ground is a mass of fallen leaves." - -"Father, please tell us the punishment. It gives you such an--empty -feeling to have--unknown punishments hanging over your head." - -"Oh, the punishment," he said, and started promptly for the door. -"That is why we have a General. Leave it to her." - -The girls turned appealing faces toward Doris. "Tell us, General," they -said, in the tone of martyrdom. - -"You can not ride in the car again for three whole weeks. When the rest -of us drive, you two must walk. And that is all--for you have had quite -a little punishment already." - -The girls thanked her warmly, and went out. In the hall they looked at -each other lovingly, and smiled. - -"Isn't that ducky?" said Zee. "It is not any punishment at all. Somehow -since this afternoon the smell of the engine makes me seasick." - -Treasure quivered. "Ducky? Oh, Zee, it is delicious. Suppose she had -made us ride all day to-morrow. I couldn't have stood it." - -"Anyhow, I guess I proved that I can drive the car," said Zee stoutly. -"Only, of course, since father does not wish me to, I shall never think -of doing it until I am older." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -MR. WIZARD - - -Doris had taken a sudden and unaccountable predilection for morning -strolls. The family did not understand it, for she had always been -partial to her final morning nap. She did not neglect her work, no -indeed, she was getting up early, very ridiculously early--at five -o'clock!--and then going around for a jaunt all by herself wherever -fancy prompted. - -To herself Doris admitted candidly that she wanted to see that awfully -aggravating Curious Cat, as she called him to herself, though she -reproved the twins very seriously for the disrespectfulness of it. But -she did not see him. She walked east, west, north and south, but he -remained hidden from view. - -She did not forget that twice he had appeared to the girls in the -neighborhood of the erstwhile Haunted House. But it was too far--she -could not walk there, however much she wished to do so. Then came a -sudden idea. She would take a morning drive, instead of a stroll--and -she might, if necessary, walk along the creek herself in search of wild -flowers-- Of course, it was too late for wild flowers, far too late--but -anyhow one never could tell what one might find. - -So the very next morning, dimply with the delight of it, she took the -car and drove gleefully out to the lovely hickory grove, and ran the -car deliberately up beside the road, and waited. No Mr. Wizard gloomed -on the horizon. Not even a Corduroy Crab came crashing through the -fallen leaves which blanketed the ground around her. So she got out of -the car, climbed through the fence, and sauntered comfortably along by -the creek, under the big bare trees. Still no angry keeper dashed out -upon her. She took small pebbles and tossed them into the trees to see -the squirrels go scampering--nobody minded in the least. It was very -annoying--like everything else connected with that Curious Cat. - -She was very near the Haunted House now, so near she could not go any -farther. Even a wilful and deliberate trespasser could not walk right -into the very doors of an irate proprietor. - -She was quite vexed. Why did he claim to be a wizard, and boast of -fairy powers, if he could not see there was a damsel out in search of -him? She turned and walked briskly back down the creek toward the road. -Putting her hands on the top rail of the low fence, she vaulted lightly -over, and cried out in surprise and fear.--The car was gone. - -She had left it there, not fifteen minutes ago. She could not be -dreaming--there were the broad smooth tracks in the dust. Some one had -stolen the dear, darling little car. - -"Now every one will say I should have chosen the cow," she thought -bitterly. - -Doris was several miles from home, and it was breakfast time. They -would know that she was out for her silly morning walk--and when father -found the car gone it would be apparent she had gone for a drive -instead. Oh, dear--it was a long way, and very hot, and dusty--and -she was so unhappy. And it was only natural to blame it all on that -perfectly disgusting Curious Cat, who should have been there, and was -not. - -Because she was angry, the first mile passed quickly. But neither anger -nor grief shortened the second mile, nor the third, nor the fourth. -Then she got a ride with a friendly farmer, who openly marveled at -her being in the country so early in the morning. But Doris was not -communicative. They were preachers, of course, but if they wanted to be -in the country, they could be--and the whole neighborhood did not need -to know the wherefore. At eight o'clock she marched grimly into the -manse, and found the family at breakfast. - -"Oh, you runaway," laughed Rosalie. "I had a terrible time getting -breakfast. Aren't you a good housekeeper--not a bit of flour in the -house and the cream sour." - -"Give me coffee," said Doris, sitting down wearily and resting her -elbows on the table. "Black coffee, strong coffee, lots of it, no sugar -and no cream." - -"Why, you poor dear, you are tired," said Rosalie in her softest, most -gurgly voice. "Let me make some fresh toast." - -"No toast--just coffee--but lots of it." - -"I always said it was silly, walking around without breakfast. I told -you that before. You look positively yellow." - -"Dust." - -"At the least, you should choose a cool and shady street," said her -father. "You look jaded, dear. I am afraid it is too much for you." - -"I _am_ jaded. Father, my poor dear father, be prepared for a bitter -blow." - -"What is it?" - -"The car, the beautiful red car that dear Mr. Davison left you, is -stolen." - -"Stolen!" - -"The car?" - -"Oh, Doris, I'll bet you had a wreck." - -"What happened?" - -"I went for a drive instead of a walk, and I left the car just to walk -through the woods a little--and when I came back it was gone." - -"Gone!" - -"Oh, Doris! You would not let us ride for three weeks, and now it is -gone and we can never ride again--the dear darling precious little car." - -"Never mind, girls, if it is gone, no use to worry." - -"Every one said we were foolish not to take the cow in the first place." - -"Oh, Rosalie, please don't throw that up to me," said Doris tearfully. -"I loved it too much, I was just crazy about it, I thought of it day -and night. Maybe it is a punishment, I suppose it is. And it is all my -fault, for I did adore it." - -"Oh, no, Doris. I am sure that had nothing to do with it. You know we -preachers do not have many of these physical, sensational joys--and the -car has been an ecstasy for every one of us. I am sure an understanding -Providence has rejoiced in our pleasure, and not begrudged us a second -of it." - -"Why should _our_ car be stolen?" wailed Zee. "Why couldn't it have -been a banker's, who could buy another? Or a bad man's, who did not -deserve one anyhow? Or a sick man's, who couldn't enjoy it? Why is it -always we preachers who get the raw deal?" - -"Oh, Zee!" - -"I had several perfectly lovely things I wanted to do with the car," -said Rosalie regretfully. "I am sorry I put them off from day to day." - -Treasure slipped away from the table and out of the room. She had -uttered no protest. She had made no complaint. But she crept sadly out -to the garage--she wanted to sit down in the dust where the dear red -car had been of yore, and weep over the spot, as at the passing of a -dear companion. - -She opened the door with hands that trembled--and stopped aghast. Her -lips parted several times, and she uttered a curious sputtering gasp. -The red car was right there where it belonged--it was not stolen at -all. Doris was out of her mind! - -She walked slowly, dimly back to the manse, her eyes swimming. Poor -Doris--she had walked too far and too fast. Treasure entered the -dining-room, pale, with eyes still clouded. - -"I am so sorry," Doris was saying. "I know you are all very angry at -me, and I do not blame you." - -"Where did you leave the car?" - -Doris blushed. She could not admit to keen-witted Zee that she had -deliberately gone to their Haunted House in the hickory grove. - -"Oh, out in the country about six miles--along the Emery Road." - -Treasure threw out both hands, and her lips parted spasmodically. - -"She is having a nightmare," said Zee, staring at her sister. - -"Is the garage gone, too?" demanded Rosalie. - -Treasure's lips parted again, but no sound came. - -"Shake her, father. She is having a spell or something." - -"Out of her mind," said Treasure, at last, with a violent effort. - -The family gazed upon her, speechless. - -"Car's in the garage," she stammered. "Isn't gone--at all." - -With one accord they arose from their chairs and made a united dash on -the garage. It was quite true, the car was there, shiny and serene, in -its accustomed place. They gazed on it silently as Treasure had done, -and then they turned to Doris, wide-eyed and horrified. - -"You're off," said Zee succinctly. - -"It was a dream, dearest," said Rosalie, slipping a tender arm around -her sister's shoulders. "You haven't been well lately." - -"Never mind, Doris. It must have been a dream." - -"It was not a dream. I was away out in the country by the hickory -grove of the twins' Haunted House--I left the car and walked along the -creek--" - -"Did you see the Corduroy Crab?" asked Treasure eagerly. - -"Maybe he lammed her on the head," said Zee, touching her own curly -brow suggestively. - -"I did not see any one. And I went right back to the road-- You know I -couldn't go way out there on foot, father." - -"You must have been walking in your sleep, dear," said Rosalie. "Maybe -you only dreamed you were there. You are home now, anyhow, and the car -is here, and everything is all right." - -"Rosalie, do you think I am out of my head?" demanded Doris sharply. - -"I think it was a bad dream, dearest." - -"Come on back to the house," said their father pleasantly. "Be glad the -car is here." - -"I'll bet the old place _is_ haunted, and they've put a spell on Doris. -Maybe it was the Curious Cat--he says he can put charms," suggested Zee. - -Doris smiled at that. As far as she could see, it was the only -explanation possible--the Curious Cat had certainly put his charm upon -her. - -She was very cross at Rosalie--for Rosalie insisted that Doris lie -down, and she herself stayed at home from school to do the work, and -father sat by the cot all morning--it was perfectly infuriating. They -looked at her with tender solicitude, and Rosalie made more hot -coffee for her, and bathed her brow every few minutes, and Doris fumed -impotently. For she was helpless. Father had said, "I think you'd -better, dearest," and when father said things in that quiet settled -voice even the General refrained from argument. - -But to lie there like an invalid--when she had only been on the trail -of mystery and-- She had found mystery, though! She could swear by her -life's blood that she had driven the car out to the hickory grove. And -she had certainly walked home. But how in the world came the car safely -back in the manse garage? It was more than Doris could understand. - -When the girls came home to lunch they kissed Doris tenderly and spoke -to her in a softly soothing way that made her long to shake them. When -they were eating their lunch Zee was called to the telephone, and she -crossed the room on tiptoes, and whispered "Yes," very softly, and then -she gave a little scream. - -"You--did?--Mercy! Well, thank goodness! Oh, you horrible thing, won't -Doris rage?--Why, no, Mr. Curious Cat, your charm did not work worth -a cent. It was not Treasure and I at all. It was Doris, and the poor -thing had to walk all the way home, and she is in bed, and we thought -she was out of her mind, and she said the car was stolen." She hung up -the receiver abruptly, and did not hear the sharp exclamations at the -other end of the wire. - -Doris rose from the cot, and the family rushed from the table. - -"Tell it, and talk fast," commanded the General. - -Zee flung herself into a big chair and rocked and screamed with -laughter. "Oh, Treasure, we are even with the Curious Cat at last." -Then wiping her eyes, and between bursts of laughter, she explained. -"He began talking in that sarcastic smart little way he has, and he -said, 'Say, Miss Zee, the next time I find that red car of yours stuck -in front of my house I am going to take it as a gift from Heaven, and -keep it. But this time, just to be friendly and keep you out of a -scrape, I drove it home for you and left it in your garage. I suppose -you were playing hooky, and got stuck. Did I save you? I shall never do -it again.'" - -How they all laughed, even Doris, and how heartily she ate of the -luncheon Rosalie had prepared, and what a splendid joke it was-- Only -Doris did wish she had just remained in the car instead of strolling up -the creek--he was such a funny Curious Cat--maybe--Oh, then he did own -the Haunted House, after all! - -"He was teasing you girls again," she cried. "The Crab and the -Courteous Coon must be his servants, for he said you left the car in -front of _his_ house." - -Then the girls were freshly indignant--pretending he was getting tea -from the Crab, when it was his own tea, and he could give it away if he -wished! But it was funny anyhow, and now he was a more Curious Cat than -ever. - -That afternoon, when the girls had gone to school, deciding that Doris -could safely be left alone now--and when father had gone calling, -Doris hurried up-stairs and arranged her hair in most enticing little -curls around her forehead, and put on her very daintiest, bluest, -floweriest dress--because he was in honor bound to call her up and -make apology. Oh, of course, he would not see the enticing curls, -and the dainty blue flowery dress--but it was a great moral support -to know that she looked irreproachable, even when none was there -to see. And she wanted to be very clever and interesting over the -telephone--because--he really had done a very disagreeable thing, and -she wanted to make him sorry. - -And then he did not telephone at all. He came himself--in person--and -Doris knew some kindly angel had been guiding her actions that -day. When she heard the ring she went to the door so lightly, so -unconcernedly, sure it was something trivial and some one unimportant. -And there he stood, smiling at her, regret in his eyes. - -"I brought my apology with me. May I come in and deliver it?" - -"Yes, please do. I know where you live, and that is a beginning, isn't -it?" - -"How did you learn that?" - -"You said the car was in front of your house. And it was the Haunted -House," she cried gleefully. - -"Did you really have to walk home?" - -"Four miles and a half." Somehow it did not seem half so long and weary -a way now as it had been seeming all the day. "And I was sure the car -was stolen. And when we found it in the garage they thought I was ill -and put me to bed, and Rosalie stayed home from school to nurse me." - -"I am sorry. It was terribly stupid of me. I was sure the girls were in -another scrape, and when the car stuck on them had got a ride back to -school. It was a terrible blunder." - -"I am glad of it now, because it brought you to visit me." - -And he seemed in not the least bit of hurry, but settled back and -talked, and he had a wonderful basket of fruit, apples and grapes -and golden pears, and he hoped Doris would accept them in token of -forgiveness. - -"But when you tell your father, will he ask who brought them?" - -"I shall just say the Curious Cat brought them to apologize--and father -is not a bit inquisitive. He will think it is quite all right--he has -the dearest way of thinking things are quite all right." - -Doris did long to know how old he was--of course she could not ask--he -surely was not nearly so old as father, yet he did not look young. The -college men of Rosalie's favor looked like children beside him. And he -talked like a man who knew things. But he could not be old--he laughed -so readily, and teased so constantly, and his eyes were so friendly and -warm. Father was forty-three, and forty-three is very terribly old when -one is twenty. - -They had tea together--on the Endeavor china. He was much more fun -than the bishop. And in spite of the very-close-to-gray-hairs at -his temples, he had a dear boyish way of settling back in a chair -and getting himself comfortable and happy. And when you see another -thoroughly comfortable and happy right at your side, you are bound to -feel the same way yourself. And Doris did. - -After she had watched his departure from the shelter of the front -window, she came back into the room, and there on the card tray--how in -the world it got there she could not imagine--but she knew instantly it -was his card--and she pounced upon it eagerly. - -"Mr. Daniel Amberton MacCammon." - -After all, the name meant nothing. And there was so much she wished to -know. His age, and who he was, and why he came there, and what in the -world he was doing in the Haunted House, and--oh, a thousand things. - -But Doris looked at the card in a friendly companionable way, and said, -in her softest and chummiest voice: - -"Honestly, I like you." - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE PHILOSOPHER - - -"Now, Doris," began Rosalie briskly, "you must help decide my life -career. They gave us a fine talk at chapel this morning, urging us to -spot our high ambitions for guiding stars to work toward. Of course, we -can change our minds later on if we like, we are not to be irrevocably -bound to what we say, but no student 'can plan most wisely and most -surely for the future, without a pole star ever shining in his mind's -eye,'" she quoted patly. "Now, what are my ambitions?" - -"Mercy, Rosalie, you know your ambitions better than I do," said -Doris, as earnestly as though the same subject had not been discussed -regularly ever since Rosalie was a freshman. - -"I think I was born for the stage, barring the one accident of the -ministry. But since that avenue of fame is closed, what shall I -do? Shall I be a teacher--and if so, a teacher of what? I am not -particularly clever, you know." - -"You are very clever, indeed, and I think you would be a wonderful -teacher." - -"Thanks, but I have neither patience nor dignity, and all authorities -agree that they are prime requisites." - -"You can be as patient and dignified as anybody if you want to. And -you are tactful and pleasant, both good teaching qualities. I suppose -you do not feel particularly drawn to any religious work, missionary, -or--or pastor's assistant, or anything like that?" - -"I am interested in gymnasium work," said Rosalie. "It seems my -only forte. I am very good at all outdoor sports, and I have a fine -physique, and adore exercise." - -"That would be nice." - -"Some places I might have to teach dancing. I could handle it as one -form of physical development, and if the naughty things took it into -the ballroom it wouldn't be my fault, would it?" - -"Not--exactly--I suppose." - -"But I ought to have an extra year for special study somewhere after I -finish college. Do you suppose we could manage it, father?" - -Mr. Artman looked up from his mail absently. "Yes, dear, what? I am -afraid I was not paying attention." His eyes wandered back to the -letter in his hand. - -Rosalie promptly deposited herself on his knee, pulling his arms around -her. - -"Doris has just decided that I would be a lovely athletic director -for girls if I could have a year of special training after college. -Prospects, please?" - -"Maybe we could arrange it--I hope so. It would be fine. But--things -might interfere." - -"Always granted, of course, dearest, but am I justified in saying it is -my present plan if things do not interfere?" - -"Yes, to be sure, but--remember--plans have a way of going astray, -dear." - -"Why, father, that does not sound like you." - -"I know, forgive me, but I do not feel like myself to-day. Look ahead -to it, Rosalie, by all means, and count on it, and if it is right for -you, it will come." - -"That is the way for a preacher to talk," said Rosalie. "Then it is all -settled, isn't it?" - -She ran back to her chair, and her father turned anxious eyes on the -letter again. He did not notice that his girls looked at him often, -and very wonderingly. Presently he went to the telephone and put in a -long-distance call to Chicago. Two years previous he had taken a course -of study at the seminary in Chicago, and ever since had made frequent -appointments with Doctor Hancock necessitating hurried trips to the -city. - -"Some old 'prof' at the seminary, I suppose," Doris said lightly. -"They won't let us preachers settle down and preach and be comfortable -nowadays. They keep us up and coming every minute, studying this and -studying that, and then practising what we study on the public. It is -no easy matter being a preacher any more." - -And so, although the Chicago trips had grown more and more frequent, -Doris gave them small heed. - -But after her father had left the house the next morning, she walked -soberly up-stairs to where Rosalie was dressing for school and said, -"Rosalie, I hate to push my worries on to you, but--does--father act -funny some way? Or do I imagine it? He seems so serious and anxious." - -"He has been rather quiet lately," said Rosalie slowly. - -"I am sure he is not well. I wish he did not take these Chicago trips -so often. I think they expect entirely too much of us preachers. He is -always tired and worried when he gets home. If we had a bishop, I think -I should report it." - -Rosalie said nothing. - -Both girls watched their father closely when he returned home late that -night. He was tired indeed, and his eyes were darkly circled. He did -not laugh so freely as usual at their merry chatter, and though he was -tender with them as always, he seemed distrait and absent-minded, which -was not like him. And Doris pondered over it anxiously. - -The next morning he came down-stairs wearing wide amber glasses, -"which," he explained apologetically, "I am not wearing for style, I -assure you, but the light seems rather too much for me. I think it -causes the headaches." - -The girls had great fun with the amber glasses, shaking their heads -sadly over his worldliness, for every one knew that amber glasses were -fashionable. But after that, he always wore them except when he went -into the pulpit. - -Two days later, when he came in to lunch, his face was as bright and -smiling as it had been in the olden days when his laughter had been as -spontaneous as Rosalie's or Zee's. He began talking, boyishly, before -he reached his chair at the table, and the girls smiled happily at his -cheerfulness. - -"I met a very clever man down-town to-day, and had quite a talk with -him. He is an author--a psychologist and philosopher--he wrote all -those books I have been so interested in lately. Very entertaining -fellow, and so I invited him to dinner to-night." - -"Good night, nurse," gasped Doris. "You invited an author and a -psychologist and a philosopher to dinner to-night?" - -"Only one, Doris," he explained patiently. - -"Father, there is something the matter with you. First you -flash a bishop on us in the middle of the night, and now a -psychologist-philosopher combination. Whatever in the world do you -suppose he eats?" - -"Cheer up," said Rosalie. "He is a philosopher, remember, so he will be -satisfied with what he gets. Food, nowadays, is the greatest test of -human philosophy." - -"Oh, he is all right. I am sure he eats regular things. He has bought a -place out here to do his work--close to his publishers in Chicago, and -far enough out to be isolated when he is on a book. It will be a great -treat for me to have him here." He looked at Doris reflectively. "Let's -have a good dinner, regardless of the cost, and, Doris, I hope you--I -mean, I hope all of you--will look your very sweetest and act your very -dearest." - -"Is he married?" demanded Zee. "I believe on my soul you have a scheme -to marry one of us off to him. Doris, I suppose, for I am too young, -and Treasure is too good, and Rosalie is too frivolous." - -"Does he write fairy stories, or--" - -"He does not write fairy stories, but I believe he tells them -sometimes," laughed their father. "And I have no matrimonial designs on -him, I assure you, but I want him to be our friend. It will be a great -pleasure to me, and a great help--and I need both." - -Doris and Rosalie looked swiftly at each other at that, but neither -made any comment. When Mr. Artman had gone up-stairs, still laughing -with satisfaction, the four of them put their heads together. - -"Let's think up a dinner fit for a--fit for a--" - -"A pope," suggested Zee. - -"Zee, I am surprised at you. Fit for a president." - -"Since father said spare no expense, I say fried chicken, and I want -the wishbone." - -"A good idea. We'll have fried chicken. Now what else?" - -"Let's do it up in style, and have courses. Treasure can wait on the -table without spilling things, and then come quietly to her place -without banging chairs. Soup--" - -"Yes." - -"Then chicken, mashed potatoes, and--" - -"Corn fritters--I've been asking for corn fritters for six weeks." - -"Well, corn fritters. Salad--" - -"Olives are easy, and--" - -"No, let's have a salad like regular folks. Mrs. Andrieson makes lovely -thousand island dressing, and I have only one recitation this afternoon -so I'll just run down after class and get her to show me how. Then -we'll have head lettuce with the dressing, and--" - -"And coffee with whipped cream, and--" - -"For dessert--" - -"Ice-cream. If I do any baking I'll be too hot to look nice. Treasure, -you run over to Wilcot's and get a quart of milk and a pint of cream -and a half pint of whipping cream, and Rosalie you call up the ice -company and have them leave a dime's worth of ice on the first -delivery without fail, and I'll freeze it first thing. And, Rosalie, I -leave the salad entirely to you." - -"I will go to Benson's after school and get some flowers," said -Treasure. "Mrs. Benson is always glad to give me the carnations that -are not fresh enough to sell, but too good to throw away. And we can -pick out the best ones." - -"Isn't that grand? Won't father be pleased?" - -"And what shall we wear?" - -This brought forth a prolonged and heated discussion of ribbons and -gowns, for father had said to look their sweetest and act their -dearest--and being girls, they knew the latter was impossible except -when the former had been accomplished. Finally all was arranged, and -the dresses were laid out nicely on their various beds, and Treasure -was given a quarter to buy a new blue ribbon because she got oil on -the old one sticking her head under the car to see what father was -doing. And the girls rushed excitedly to school, to tell their friends -carelessly that they had to hurry home to-night and could not stop to -study Latin en masse, for "Father has invited a perfectly enormous -author and psychologist and all that to dinner." And although none of -them had a very clear idea what kind of a psychologist he was, or what -he did, or why he was so perfectly enormous, the very meagerness of -their information added luster to his halo. - -The table that night was a dream of loveliness, and the girls had -everything ready and were up-stairs taking a last final reconnoiter -of their physical charms when they heard their father greeting the -perfectly enormous guest. - -They filed down breathlessly, eyes bright with anticipation, their -hearts palpitating with the unwonted glory of it. And then-- - -"Why, it is only the Curious Cat," ejaculated Zee. - -"Mr. Wizard," gasped Doris. "Father, you knew it all the time." - -"Well, I am glad my girls have been encroaching on your hospitality, -Mr. MacCammon, for otherwise we might not have the privilege of -extending ours to you now." - -Mr. MacCammon held Doris' hand warmly in his. "I hope the charm has -not all gone with the mystery," he said. "I was ashamed to conceal my -identity any longer, and besides I wished to see more of you, and I -wanted to know your father. But if you have lost all interest in me -now, I know I shall wish I had not come at all." - -"I haven't--it isn't--not by any means," stammered Doris nervously, and -hurried away to the kitchen to look after the dinner. - -Oh, but wasn't she glad father had stipulated they should spare no -expense? It was a wonderful, delicious dinner, and when he turned from -gay banter with Rosalie and Zee, to real intense discussion with her -father, and always bending warm and friendly eyes on her--really, it -was too good to be true. - -"But I always said I liked him," she told herself, comfortably. - -After that he came often to the manse, and many times he took them all -out to the Haunted House, where Mr. Artman was immediately lost in the -depths of huge volumes, and where Treasure and Zee wandered off to -look for baby rabbits with the Corduroy Crab, who wasn't a bit crabbish -any more, and where Rosalie flung herself into a big hammock with a -plate of fruit and a chatty story--and what could he do, as host, but -entertain Doris, who was left without other form of amusement? - -"Oh, but you wait till the bishop comes," Rosalie whispered to Doris, -when they were safe in the manse again. "What will he say to these -carryings on? Your very own bishop--" - -"He is not my very own bishop. And if he is, I will not have him. And -it certainly is nothing to the bishop if father has a friend." - -"I do not imagine the dear bishop cares two cents how many friends -father has. But what your bishop will say to you is more than I can -imagine. And who but a serious sensible girl would ever dream of -bandying with a bishop? Frivolous and all as I am, General, I should -never be guilty of trifling with a bishop's affections." - -"He hasn't any." - -"Oh, yes, he has. He has oceans of them. But what difference does it -make to you how many affections he has?" - -"No difference at all," admitted Doris, laughing. And she added, -flushing a little, but still laughing, "But I should really like to -know whether--father's friend--has any." - -And then she ran away, before Rosalie could catch and shake her. - -The Chicago trips were very frequent now, and in spite of his evident -pleasure in the new and brilliant friend, Mr. Artman grew more -preoccupied. Sometimes Doris could hear him pacing up and down his room -at night, when he should have been asleep. And very often he pushed his -plate away from him at the table, and could not eat, although Doris -had patiently and painstakingly prepared the dishes he loved best. And -every day he spoke of little headaches, and kept the blinds lowered in -his room, working with the amber glasses. And many times, when they -thought he was working, he was sitting at his desk with his head in his -arms. - -"Oh, Rosalie, I can't stand it," Doris cried at last. "I know there is -something wrong with father. But some way--I can't ask him. I am afraid -to. I know he is sick." - -"No, he is not sick, Doris. I know what it is." - -"Rosalie!" - -"One day I got a Chicago city directory--oh, long ago, when he first -began making these trips to see Doctor Hancock--I got a directory, and -looked the doctor up. He is not a minister, as you thought. He is an -oculist." - -"Father's eyes!" - -"Yes. And last week I wrote to the doctor myself, and told him we -were worried about father, and asked him to tell me. He says father's -eyes are very bad, and he must have an operation as soon as possible. -It should have been done some time ago, but father has been putting -it off. And the doctor says by all means he should rest his eyes for -several months, a year if possible, without using them one little bit." - -For a moment all the bright room went swimming before Doris. Then she -cried out, in pain and self-reproach. - -"Oh Rosalie, I was happy myself, and I forgot to look after father. It -was you who thought of him." - -"That is nothing. Do you remember, Doris, away last fall, when you said -I must begin to solve my problems for myself? I have been trying to, -that is all. And father is one of them. Somehow, as long as I could -throw my worries off on you and father, I was glad to do it, and did -not care what came of it. But when you put things squarely up to me, -I found to my surprise that I had a sort of personal pride that kept -pulling me up to the mark. You were pretty slick, General. And so I -have been sort of looking ahead, and trying to help plan for father." - -"I am going to have it out with him right now. He shan't bear it alone -any longer." - -She went softly up-stairs, and into her father's room, which was always -in shadow now, although Doris in her happiness had thought nothing of -it, and crept very quietly into her father's arms. - -"Let's talk it over, father. How soon do you plan to have the operation -on your eyes? Is Doctor Hancock the very best you can get? Tell me -what arrangements you have made." - -[Illustration: "Let's talk it over, father"] - -"Oh, Doris," he cried brokenly, dropping his head on her arm and -holding her very close, "do you know? I have tried so hard to tell -you--but I hadn't the heart. Yes, let's talk it over." And then, in -quick broken sentences, without a trace of bitterness, he told her how -his eyes had been growing constantly weaker and weaker, and how the -doctor had tried in every way to strengthen them and to arrest the -trouble, but now the operation was unavoidable and could not be put -off long, and it would mean so many months of idleness--and how could -he preach without his eyes? And he was too young to be "supered"--how -could he step aside for the rest of his life? And how could he rest, -with four young girls to keep going? - -Talking it over was a comfort. His voice grew gradually firmer and his -face brighter. Now that he had the bright eyes of Doris beside him, -blindness seemed more remote, and more impossible. New strength came to -him from her vivid warm vitality. And in trying to buoy her with hope, -hope came to him also. Two hours they sat there, just talking, saying -again and again that there was a way, only they did not see it--not -just yet. - -"I am going to tell the girls, father. They are old enough--and it -will hurt them to be shut out of what touches you so closely. And -Rosalie--father, Rosalie is coming out just fine." - -Quickly she told him of Rosalie's way of finding out, and of her quiet -confident facing of facts--so unlike the problematic butterfly they had -worried over so many, many times. - -"Send her up to me, will you? I think she will do me good." And while -Rosalie was with her father Doris told Treasure and Zee. - -"Just be quiet about it to-night. After a while it will come natural. -But we must not talk much, for father feels very badly. Just let him -see that we are sorry--and we must all be very positive there is a -grand way out for us, and we must find it." - -There had never been such sweet and tender harmony in the manse as on -that night--the sorrow falling on each one alike drew them very close -together. And when they went to bed at last, each one in characteristic -way thanked God that there were five to bear the hurt, for grief -divided by five, after all, is only one-fifth a grief. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -FINDING THE PATH - - -That Mr. MacCammon had suspected the trouble long before he was told of -it did not surprise them at all. Somehow they always expected the most -unexpected things of him. And he entered into their plans naturally and -helpfully, as became one who boasted fairy powers. - -"I have a grand idea," announced Doris. "I thought of it just as Mr. -MacCammon came in. Not that he has anything to do with it--but the -sight of him inspired me." - -"Yes, and what is the grand idea?" urged her father, who knew from of -old that her ideas were always well worth considering. - -"There is only one month of school before vacation, and then we will be -a united family to handle you--and fathers take a lot of handling, you -know. Now, I think you should ask for your vacation right away--on full -pay, you understand--and go to Chicago and have the operation at once. -Then by the time school is out the worst will be over. It will be quite -easy to fill the pulpit now, because the town will be full of ministers -here for commencement, and the trustees' meeting, and such things, and -they will be glad to preach when they find how father is taking his -vacation." - -"A good idea, as you say. And it will be a relief to have it over. -Maybe I can arrange--" - -"You needn't arrange anything. Leave it to me. I shall go to the -president of the college, and put up a scheme with him--when ministers -come visiting he will tip me off, and I shall personally invite them to -preach. Leave it to me." - -"But suppose you should miss a meeting?" - -"If she does, I shall give them a lecture on the psychology of -religion. I can tell them a few things that are not mentioned in the -Bible, but can help to make them better Christians none the less," -offered Mr. MacCammon. - -"You should not suppose such things anyhow, father, it isn't -ministerial. But since you hesitate to trust me alone, maybe you can -let Providence and me together assume the responsibility with Mr. -MacCammon to back us up." - -"That puts it on a firm foundation, at least. In the meantime I shall -use my eyes as little as possible--" - -"Not at all! Rest them absolutely," said Mr. MacCammon quickly. "Get -them in good shape for the operation. Wear the biggest, blackest -glasses you can get, and do not look at a paper or book. Do not even -touch your Bible." - -"I know my Bible pretty well, and I can _think_ my Scripture. But I -shall miss the head-lines." - -"Oh, father, let me read the paper to you every morning. I am a -good reader," cried Rosalie. "I come out strong on the right words, -everybody says so." - -"The problem will be afterward. How can I preach those weeks when I can -not study?" - -"Oh, father, we've been scheming," cried Doris. "Rosalie and I got out -the barrel of old sermons you had at Delta before we came here, and we -sorted over the outlines and picked out a lot of good ones, and--you -can preach from those this summer. You tell the rest, Rosalie--it is -your contribution." - -"Well, father," she said shyly, "when I knew about your eyes I began to -get ready to help. For I knew Doris would have the family to manage, -and that I was the proper one to stand with you. And so I took a lot of -special courses in Bible study and practical Christianity and social -service stuff, and I can look up references as quick as a wink, and -really I know a lot. So I shall be your pastor's assistant, and furnish -the eyes while your own are resting." - -"Why, Rosalie, you little--Problem," he said brokenly. - -"I wanted to surprise you, father. And all the time I was talking of my -career--I knew that my career would be--right here with you and Doris, -backing up the manse." - -He held her hands very closely in his, and did not speak for a while. -"Every one is taking hold," he said at last. "I have worked all my -life--every day crowded full to overflowing-- Now everything is going, -and-- How shall I fill the days?" - -"There is where I come in," said Mr. MacCammon quickly. "I have to -begin some very important proof-reading on my newest philosophy, -my very best work and the most pretentious. And I was wondering if -you wouldn't come out and loaf with me most of the time--and let me -proof-read aloud to you--I really need some expert opinion as I go -along. Maybe it would help you with the time--I know it would help me -with the book." - -Mr. Artman sat silent again for a while. "Girls," he began finally, -"I am ashamed to say I was puzzled. I could not see the way. Now it -is opening up, step after step--and the rest will come in its proper -time. I shall never worry again. And to-morrow night I will ask for my -vacation at once." - -"Have you got the money, father?" asked Zee. - -"We may have to squeeze a little," he said, smiling. "The board will -advance my June salary, I know, and the household bills can run for a -while. There is a little in the bank--I do not know just how much--" - -"Forty-two dollars and eighty-six cents," said Doris practically. "But -the bills for this month are paid--I can see the hand of a tender -Providence in that. For it is mighty seldom we have the bills paid and -forty-two dollars and eighty-six cents besides." - -"The forty-two dollars will run you here at home, and the June salary -will see me through at Chicago." - -"Just as I am always trying to show you," said Zee. "We preachers have -our troubles, but there is always a plain path made for us." - -"When we get to it, yes. The trouble is that some of us have a habit of -wanting to see the path before we get there. I like to use a telescope -on it, miles ahead, I am afraid," her father admitted. - -How simply and naturally things worked out, after all the months of -anxious fear. The vacation was arranged without the slightest trouble. -The June salary was paid in advance with no dissenting voice. And one -elder, the dearest of them all, said gently: - -"And there are a few of us who wish to make up a little purse--oh, -not much--just a little word of appreciation, you know--we'll get it -together and put it into the bank for you--it may help a little." - -Mr. Artman's conscience kept him awake hours that night, for he had -been worrying about money, too--worrying in spite of the fact that -every step had been cleared when the time for stepping came--and he had -worried about the bills there would be when the operation was over and -he was at home again. For his expenses in Chicago would be heavy, even -though he went to the Presbyterian hospital where "they do ministers -for nothing." And Doctor Hancock had arranged with the surgeon that the -expense of the operation could wait till a convenient time. The girls' -expenses would be much lighter when school was out, and they would not -use the car quite so often, only now and then when they could not -resist the luring call of it. - -"I want you to come for a drive with me in my car to-night, Doris," Mr. -MacCammon said one evening. "You have taken me in yours several times -and you are always so concerned with speedometers and gears that you -pay no attention to my conversation. To-night you go joy-riding on my -gas." - -"Thank you, I shall be glad to," said Doris in her very politest -manner, for to go joy-riding on some other person's gas was a great -treat, and to go joy-riding on Mr. MacCammon's gas was the greatest -treat of all. So she put on the charming blue motor hat--home-made out -of old veils and scraps of velvet, but which, as Rosalie said, was just -as flirtatious as though it had cost forty-two dollars and eighty-six -cents at Marshall Field's. Mr. MacCammon helped her into the car very -formally, and Rosalie from the front porch waved them away. - -"Father," she said to him when the car had disappeared, "I hope your -eyes have not affected your mental vision. I suppose you realize that -your perfectly wonderfully philosophical psychologist or whatever he -is, is quite humanly and commonplacely and every-dayly in love with -your darling Doris." - -"Oh, Rosalie, don't give me anything more to worry about. I do not care -how perfectly wonderfully philosophical and psychological he is, he -shall not come upsetting my household, that is certain." - -But Mr. Artman smiled. After all, Doris was a dear girl, and Mr. -MacCammon was--even more than Rosalie had said. And it was one -opportunity in ten thousand, in his private opinion. And wasn't it just -like Providence to give that opportunity to one of the sweet simple -girls of the manse, rather than to some of the more pretentious, more -expectant girls of the little town? - -"What I particularly wished to say to you is this," Mr. MacCammon was -saying to Doris--"if you can get your eyes off the mileage long enough -to listen." - -Doris turned around sidewise in the seat and snuggled back among the -cushions and looked at him so directly that his mind went wandering on -the instant, and they were silent a while. - -"A penny for them," he offered suddenly. - -"I was just wondering how old you really are. It has bothered me -so long. And you need not give me the penny, I much prefer the -information." - -"I am thirty-six. And I was going to say this--are you planning to go -to Chicago with your father?" - -"Now I know you are truly a wizard. I have thought of that every minute -of the whole day. I am afraid we can't. We wanted to, Rosalie and I -both, but we just have to save the pennies. So I think we shall hand -him over to Providence when he gets on the train." - -"It does not cost a great deal--" - -"Six dollars per round trip--and it costs a fortune to stay in Chicago -even a few days. We can not afford it." She sighed a little. Once in a -while it really hurts to be poor. - -"I think I told you, didn't I, that I have to go to Chicago myself -this week to arrange for the publishing of the new book? What, didn't I -tell you? Stupid of me to forget it." - -"You did not tell me, and I know you are just going to watch over -father, and I think you are wonderful." - -She caught his hand and kissed it with girlish gratitude, while he -smiled on her with tender eyes. - -"Of course, you do not care if _my_ car is smashed," he said -whimsically. "I notice you keep both hands on the wheel every minute -when you have that precious little red thing of yours out. But my car -is different." - -"Oh, excuse me," she smiled brightly, winking back the tears. - -"Well, let me finish. I have a small apartment in Chicago--not much of -a place, but a cozy corner out by the lake where I can sneak off and -work when I wish and nobody else can find me. It has a little kitchen -and some stuff where Bangs can fix me up a meal, or I can do it myself -if he is not with me. I keep the apartment all the time, to be ready -for a hurry order, but I have a friend in the city, too, and when I -just run in for a couple of nights or so, with no special work to do, -I bunk with him, to be sociable. So why couldn't you and Rosalie go up -and take my apartment for a week, and I can stay with Johnson? It would -be easier for you to stand it there than here--and I think your father -would like it." - -"Oh, that is just-- But the fare-- Still, it wouldn't be-- Oh, dear me, -now I don't know what," cried Doris desperately. - -"Of course, I will excuse you for interrupting me, since you ask it," -he said evenly. "But I was far from through. I am going to drive up -to Chicago in my car. I have a lot of running around to do, out to -Evanston and to the University, and all over town. I haven't the time -to bother with street-cars, nor the patience to bother with taxis. So -I shall take my own locomotion with me. It is a good road all the way, -and I can make the run in a few hours. Of course, your father could -not drive up in the wind, but you and Rosalie seem fairly healthy, and -I have a back seat. So if you feel any desire to go with me, why, I -think--" - -Doris put her head in her arm on the back of the seat and sobbed. Then -she sat up quickly and patted his arm as warmly as she dared with any -degree of safety to the steering, and said: - -"Mr. Wizard, please wake me up. You have me under the spell of your -charm, and I am dreaming things." - -"I hope you are under the spell of my charm, and I wouldn't wake you up -for a thousand dollars," he said explosively, and although of course it -was only a joke, Doris blushed and began making plans for the trip very -hurriedly. - -"What shall we do with the little girls?" she asked, confident of his -ability to do something. - -"I had not reached that portion of the family yet. Let me see--they can -have Bangs to take care of them." - -"Wouldn't they love that? No, we'll get Miss Carlton. She has been -hinting to come for a visit for quite a while, and now is just the -time. It will shock her to find father gone--but she is fine in an -emergency, and this is one. Now let's hurry home and tell father." - -When Rosalie heard of this new and wonderful dispensation of Providence -in the person of the enormous philosopher, she looked at him very -steadily and said in her softest voice: - -"Mr. MacCammon, you haven't a brother, have you, a younger brother who -looks like you--or a son?" - -"No," he said, staring at her in surprise. "I haven't anybody. Why?" - -"I wanted to put in an application for him, that is all." - -"Why, Rosalie." Suddenly he laughed aloud, and drew her away to a -remote corner of the room. "Then I take it that my efforts along this -line do not meet with your disapproval?" - -"Quite the contrary." - -"Can you assure me of success?" he asked, still smiling, but Rosalie -observed that his eyes were very bright and very earnest. - -"No," she said slowly. "One can not quite do that, you know." - -He looked suddenly startled. "You don't mean--is there anybody-- There -can't be any one--" - -"Has she told you about the bishop?" - -"No, she hasn't mentioned the bishop--or anybody," he said in a voice -quite changed. - -"Why, Mr. MacCammon, you would not want to win your heart's desire too -easily, would you? Think what a satisfaction it will be later on to -know that you outclassed a bishop!" - -"Yes, but suppose I don't. These--excuse me, these--bishops, you -know--something about the cloth--the glamour of the church-- But it -helps to have your blessing. I thought you hadn't noticed." - -"You thought I hadn't noticed? Mercy! What ails the man? Thought I -hadn't noticed-- Why, how could I help it?" - -"I don't know. Hang that bishop! Oh, shucks, what is a bishop? Come on, -congratulate me--do it right now, to spur me on and just to prove that -we don't care two cents for the bishop." - -Rosalie held out her hand. "I congratulate you with all my heart. You -are not good enough for her, but if she is satisfied, I should worry. -On behalf of the manse, I welcome you." - -"Thanks. Now it is all settled. I feel better." And they laughed -together gaily. - -"What in the world are you two doing, whispering back there in the -corner?" asked Doris curiously. "Mercy, are you holding hands?" - -"We are sealing a solemn pact," he answered blithely. "Rosalie has a -way of making me very happy sometimes." - -Doris caught her breath suddenly, and crushed her fingers against her -lips. A dark shadow came into her eyes, and she looked searchingly into -Rosalie's laughing face. Then she crossed the room and stood by her -father, her fingers gripping his sleeve, and very soon she slipped away -up the stairs and went to bed. When Rosalie came to find her, she said -she was tired and nervous-- Wouldn't Rosalie say good night for her, and -tell him how kind he had been? - -When Rosalie repeated the message to Mr. MacCammon he looked perturbed. - -"Isn't she coming down at all?" - -"Seems not. But she is nervous, really, and worried about father--and -your kindness has upset her." - -"I'll bet she is thinking of that bishop," he said grimly. "You run -up-stairs and talk about me, will you? Tell her how nice I am, and how -handsome, and what a good husband I will make--put it on pretty thick, -you know how it is done. A lovely diamond ring for your pains, young -lady, if you play it right. There's a nice little girl." - -So Rosalie obediently ran up and sat beside Doris on the bed, stroking -the hot hand, and saying over and over how charming and clever and -thoughtful dear Mr. MacCammon was, and how much more attractive than -that stupid bishop, and how wonderfully good she was sure he would be -to any girl who became his very own. - -And Doris lay on the bed quivering, too loyal to her sister to voice -a protest, but lacking the moral courage to speak agreement. And -Doris did not sleep that night--although she hated herself for being -so sorry over such a little thing as-- Well, as what? Anyhow, she -was surprised, that was all--but was ashamed even to think of such a -trifle, in the face of father's so much greater grief. And when she -wept softly into the pillow she had to tell herself over and over again -that every tear was for father, and every sob, and every bit of ache -that was in her heart. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -ROSALIE'S WAY - - -As the days passed, and the plans for the future matured, Rosalie kept -shrewd eyes on her sister's face. - -"She is worried about father, of course, but so are the rest of us, -and we don't act like that," she thought soberly. "It can't be Mr. -MacCammon, surely, for he does not try to hide what he thinks. And -anybody can see what she feels toward him--anybody but Mr. MacCammon, -for he really is fussed about the bishop." And Rosalie laughed -gleefully, for she solemnly believed that no lover had any right to win -his heart's desire without a few sharp pangs of jealousy. - -Doris was pale and gentle to an unwonted degree, but she shirked no -whit of her responsibility. She arranged with the president of the -college for filling the pulpit during her father's absence, and he -acceded to her request with hearty good will. - -"If I can't get anybody else, I'll do it myself. So get that off your -mind right away. As a matter of fact, I have quite a few things I'd -like to tell the people in this town, but I never had the courage to -do it with your father's kindly eyes upon me. But with him out of the -road, I surely will relieve my feelings." - -Miss Carlton promised not only freely, but fulsomely, to come and -chaperon the younger girls during the week the others were in Chicago. -And Mr. Artman was argued into accepting their friend's kindly offer in -a way that was scientific to the highest degree. - -On the morning he took train for Chicago Doris and Rosalie, with their -shabby bags, were tucked into MacCammon's car among his portfolios and -manuscripts. Curiously enough, Doris insisted on sitting in the back -seat alone. - -"Please," she said, when MacCammon and Rosalie both protested. "I am -so tired and fidgety. When I am in front I sit up straight and watch -the road every minute. But in the back I can settle down and rest. Let -Rosalie sit in front, she likes to watch the road and get excited, and -squeal when you spin on the corners." - -Rosalie and MacCammon eyed each other grimly when Doris slipped into -her chosen place without waiting for the help of a friendly hand. - -"The bishop," whispered MacCammon ominously. - -"The bishop your grandmother," thought Rosalie, turning around to -squint thoughtfully at her sister. - -The first twenty-five miles were traversed in absolute silence, -MacCammon driving with grim and rigid energy, Rosalie looking through -half-closed lids reflectively into space, Doris crouching in the corner -of the back seat alone. - -Thirty-five miles--and then MacCammon laughed suddenly. - -"Hang the bishop," he said in a low voice. - -Rosalie laughed with him. "You can't hang him--it isn't orthodox." - -"Burn him at the stake then. She hasn't-- Anyhow, I don't--I am not -going to get cold feet yet-- That-- There is no reason--" - -"Faint heart," scoffed Rosalie. - -"All right, I am game. Suppose you drive a while." Turning to Doris, -he said, "Rosalie is going to drive a while, and I am coming back to -help hold down the back seat. Don't argue. You know very well the back -seat is too bumpy for one little light girl by herself. You need not -hurry, Rosalie," he said, surrendering the wheel. "Doris is cross, and -I have to reason with her. It takes time. You need not listen unless -you particularly wish." - -He got into the back seat serenely enough, and looked astonished when -Doris withdrew to the farthest corner of the roomy seat. - -"What is the matter? Does the seat slope over to that corner? That is a -shame, I must have it fixed." And he sat down very comfortably in the -middle of the seat, where Doris could not possibly keep the hem of her -gown from touching him, nor even her rigid elbow, though it plainly was -her desire. - -Rosalie drove with a nicety of concentration that was most commendable, -but Doris was stiffly mute to his overtures. And in spite of his -persistent and determined tender chaffing, he was really calling down -anathemas on the head of the offending bishop by the time they reached -Aurora. - -"Let's find a place to eat. I am hungry. I have done a hard day's work. -Digging ditches has nothing on that," he said to Rosalie. - -She nodded sympathetically. "Think well before it is too late," she -warned. "Women are always like that--they go by spells. Sometimes they -are and then sometimes they are not." - -"Chiefly they are not, I perceive," he said doggedly. "She liked me -well enough while I remained a mystery." - -"Well, of course--" - -"If you say bishop to me again I'll stone you," He cried, and Rosalie -only laughed. - -By this time Doris had finished patting her hair before the small -mirror in her bag, and joined them quietly. But she was not hungry, -she drank two cups of very strong coffee--and Mr. MacCammon suddenly -was not hungry either. Rosalie munched comfortably through six courses -and when she reached her ice-cream and macaroons she told MacCammon he -might run along and get the gas if he liked while she was finishing, -which he promptly did. As soon as he was gone she looked at her sister -slyly. - -"General--I--may I confide something--in you?" - -Doris stiffened instantly, and turned a frigid face that way. "Yes," -she said somberly, "go on, let's get it over with. I have been -expecting it for some time." - -A mischievous smile darted to Rosalie's eyes, but the shielding lashes -hid it. "I--Do you think I am too young to fall in love?" - -"No," said Doris desperately, "I do not. I don't think anybody is too -young, or too old, or--anything." - -"Age has nothing to do with love, has it?" - -"No, age hasn't, nor brains, nor sense, nor dignity, nor--sometimes I -think even _religion_ hasn't anything to do with love." - -"Of course I may be mistaken--" - -"No chance." - -"But he is so dear and nice, and though he has not proposed--still I -know he is infatuated with me--and when he finishes school--he is a -senior now, you know, and then he can marry if he likes." - -Doris looked up, a sudden shining through the clouds. "He--what?" - -"He graduates this year. He is a senior. But we are not engaged, not by -any means. Only sometimes I think maybe I am not too young to fall in -love. Bob Alden, you know." - -Doris leaned weakly back in her chair. - -"Are you joking?" she whispered with dry lips. - -"Oh, Doris, I wouldn't do such a thing." - -"Am I just imagining things or--" - -"Yes, I think you are." - -"Oh, Rosalie, you bad little girl, what have you done? I really -believe Mr. MacCammon likes you." - -"Likes me! Ye gods, aren't some folks blind? I can always tell when men -are stuck on me long before they can tell it themselves, but some folks -are so slow. You are a stupid girl, Doris, I have no patience with you. -Poor dear Mr. MacCammon and the bishop, too--both of them--I think it -is downright reprehensible, to dangle a bishop and a psychological -philosopher at the same time. I wouldn't do such a thing." - -Doris glimmered softly, the old Doris struggling weakly but jubilantly -back to her own again. - -"Oh, Rosalie, don't talk about the bishop," she said. - -MacCammon was waiting for them at the car, with several magazines and -boxes of candy on hand to help give the car a professionally touring -appearance. And after the chill fog of the last week, Doris came to -him, gleaming and glowing. - -"I am all rested now," she said, smiling tremulously. "Please, Mr. -Wizard, may I ride in front?" - -He looked at her in astonishment more utterly blank than ever. Then he -looked helplessly at Rosalie, humming brightly to herself as she picked -out the largest box of candy to take with her into the back seat. - -"Can you beat that? They are, and then they aren't. And when you just -about get your mind made up that they aren't, and no use to talk about -it, all of a sudden they are. And nobody ever knows why, or how it -happened." - -"What are you talking about?" asked Doris curiously. - -"Psychology, dear Doris. Please get in quickly--yes, here in front--oh, -this seat slopes toward the middle, does it? Fine! Well, as I was -saying, do you think I'd better tie you in before you decide you -aren't? And as for psychology, there is no such thing--not in a world -that has women." - -It did seem rather heartless to be so ecstatically happy when -poor dear father was having such trouble, but then, Doris thought -philosophically, that is what religion is for--to make us happy even -in spite of our grief. - -The rest of the ride was wonderful, through such gloriously beautiful -country, and as for the dust--it was nothing, and the car ran like -velvet, and almost before they knew it they were settled in their -little borrowed apartment, laughing at the tininess of it, and getting -ready for MacCammon, who had gone to break his presence to his friend. - -He came for them at six o'clock and took them out to dinner with him, -ordering the dishes so carefully and with such sweet regard for their -youthful appetites--but after all, they could not eat, for the shadow -of the operation was settling upon them. Yet how much better it was to -be here in the big city within reach of father's kindly hand than to be -away off in the manse quivering with the anxiety of what they did not -know and could not guess, with only telegraph wires to link them each -to each? - -It seemed MacCammon would never be done with that sickening apple -pie, but after an endless time they were really tripping softly, -breathlessly, along the hall of the hospital in the wake of the -"rubber-soled nurse," as Rosalie naughtily christened her. And there -was father sitting alone in a white room, his eyes bandaged closely. He -knew they were there before they spoke, and held out his hands to them, -warmly impulsive. And they sat on the arms of his chair and petted the -opposite sides of his head, and talked quietly and sensibly, as if the -operation were nothing at all. - -But almost immediately the door opened again, and a man-- Yes, a -minister-- That blessed bishop, of course--MacCammon glared at him-- How -long the fellow was holding Doris' hand!-- Right before her father--and -Doris was letting him!-- Well, couldn't he see that Rosalie was there, -too--and a stranger? - -"Your father said you would be here, so I stayed to speak to you." - -"Yes, and I came, too, Bishop," said Rosalie brightly. "You must not -overlook me." - -MacCammon blessed her for the words. For the bishop dropped Doris' hand -hurriedly and turned to her-- What in the world could the church be -thinking of, to have bishops as young as that? - -"I do not believe he's as old as I am, and I am not old at all," -thought MacCammon resentfully. "And they call him a father in the -church. What are we coming to, anyhow?" - -Doris was back at her father's side now, where she belonged, and -MacCammon was being introduced to the bishop. They sized each other up -very frankly. - -"I'll bet he resents me as much as I do him, that's some satisfaction," -MacCammon thought with boyish relish. "And I brought her up, too, all -that long way--that will cut." - -They did not stay very long--a gentle movement of the rubber-soled -one's eyebrow hurried their departure. - -The bishop could not accept MacCammon's invitation to come with them -in the car, because he had his own little runabout. But wouldn't Miss -Doris come with him for a run through the park, and along the lake -front? MacCammon held his breath. Would she? - -Doris put out her hand, quietly but cordially. "I know you will excuse -me to-night, Bishop. I do not feel like talking, or--anything--just -like going home quietly with Rosalie to think." - -Never had MacCammon loved her as he did at that moment. The bishop -walked down with her to the car and opened the back door for the girls. - -"But it is my turn to sit in front," said Doris, smiling faintly. "We -think it would be unfair to let Mr. MacCammon sit alone when he is -driving us. And Rosalie and I always have each other, you know." - -So the bishop had to help her into the car--MacCammon's car--and into -the front seat with MacCammon himself, and the bishop had to stand on -the curb while they drove off. No wonder MacCammon was whistling softly -to himself. With Doris out of the question, the bishop was a nice -enough fellow, clean, clear-cut, straightforward--but with Doris in -the question he was an eternal nuisance and a bore. And MacCammon could -never get Doris out of his questions any more. - -"Will you come up?" she asked as they drew up beside the apartment. - -"Not to-night," he said softly. "But thank you for asking." She had -not asked the bishop. "To-night you girls must run straight to bed -and rest, and I will come for you to go with me in the morning. No, -you must not try to cook until the operation is over. I will eat with -you after that to even up. I know a grand place for hot cakes and -sirup--very close. Good night, Rosalie, you are a good little scout," -he called, as she started up the stairs. Then he drew Doris into a -shadowy corner and said, "You must not worry, Doris. Rosalie is taking -this better than you are. Hasn't your religion taught you that things -work out just right for--men--like your father--who are whole-souled -and pure-minded?" - -"Christians, you mean," said Doris, smiling at his evident desire to -avoid the tone of preaching. "Yes, I know. I do believe that things -will come right eventually, and I do not worry--much. But father is too -good to suffer, and be hurt. It should have been some one else." - -"Oh, Doris, don't you know that your father will have more tenderness -and more gentleness for all sickness and all suffering, after he -himself has suffered? Before this, he has _spoken_ kindness. Now -he will _live_ it. It takes the ultimate caress of pain to give us -understanding." - -Doris moved her hands softly in his. - -"Yes, you must go." He put his arms around her, and her face fell -against his shoulder. "Go, dear Doris, and dream of sweet and lovely -things--your father strong and well and tenderer than ever--and dream -of me, not very good, I know, but--very fond of you. And please forget -the bishop." - -Doris laughed at that, quickly, breathlessly. "I will, just for -to-night," she promised. - -"No, for all the nights." - -He kissed her hair where it curled beneath the blue motor hat, warmly, -tenderly--for somehow he felt that this night of her anxious sorrow -was not the time to press the kiss of love upon her lips, though he -knew in his heart it would not have been denied him. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE DOCTOR - - -It seemed very terrible to the two girls to stay there quietly waiting -in their father's painfully bright room at the hospital until he was -brought back to them on the wheeled table from the operating-room. They -could not speak. Doris sat with her hands clenched tightly in her lap, -with Rosalie on the arm of the chair, leaning against her. MacCammon -stood beside the window, coming to the girls now and then to give -them reassuring pats and smiles, and then going back to the window. -Presently a nurse came in, carefully darkened the room, and put water -bottles and flannels in the bed. She smiled encouragingly at the girls, -who tried very hard to twist their lips into a semblance of good cheer -in return. - -Then the table was wheeled in again, and father was slipped deftly -back into the bed, and the doctor was talking to them brightly, and -smiling. - -"Just fine. Worked like a charm. Why, when I think of how that man -must have suffered for the last months-- Why, it is preposterous-- It is -downright-- Anyhow, it is over now." - -The girls did not speak. - -"Come on down-stairs and let's beg some coffee. It does not seem -particularly cold to-day, but you folks give me a chilly sensation." - -"And leave father?" gasped Doris. - -"Why not? And why do you whisper? Your father, my dear, will have a -nice quiet rest for an hour or so, and there is no reason why we should -sit here in the dark and hear him breathe. Come on, MacCammon, don't -you need a tonic?" - -"Are you sure he is all right?" asked Doris, looking closely at her -father's face, showing grim and rigid in the darkened room. "He looks -very sick." - -"He looks sick, my dear, but he is all right. The operation was -absolutely successful to the minutest degree. You do not think he is -going to die, do you?" - -"Doctors are strange," said Rosalie in a hushed voice. "How do you know -he will come out from the anesthetic?" - -"Because he is out from the danger of it now. Only he does not know it -yet. His heart is pumping away, and he is breathing normally, and in a -few hours he will be wide awake. Come now, don't argue with me. Your -father has spoiled you, I see that. I would never allow any argument, -if I had girls of my own. But I haven't any." - -"Are you married?" asked Doris with some interest. - -"No, I am not married. But I know how I would rear my daughters." - -"Sure you do," laughed MacCammon. "So do I. All of us unmarried fellows -know all about rearing daughters. Come on, girls, we may as well go -quietly and try to live at peace with this quarrelsome creature your -father has pushed on to us." - -The girls passed slowly from the room, but their faces brightened a -little when one of the nurses said: - -"Don't worry. The doctor is right. The danger is all over. We do not -know yet just how fine the eyes will be--but the danger is gone. Run -along and get your coffee. Your father will sleep a long time." - -"Then may we wire the girls now--that he is all right? I know they will -be anxious." - -"Yes, indeed, wire them at once. Tell them there is no danger, and we -are sure the eyes will be infinitely better--certainly there will be no -more headaches and pain. And cheer up." - -After the telegram was safely on its way it seemed quite natural for -the four of them to sit at a small table in the nurses' dining-room, -sipping the hot coffee, realizing that after all they were alive, and -father was nearly all right, and things were going on just the same as -before he had kissed them good-by and gone into the grim white room -that held so many terrors for them. - -After their coffee the doctor took them around the hospital with him, -introducing them to ministers here and there. They smiled at a few -whom the doctor frankly pronounced cases of chronic grouch, and were -smiled at by other, very sick ones, who, the doctor declared, were -endowed with an abundant and all-pervading Christianity that kept their -dispositions riotously pleasant in spite of physical pain. And then he -invited them to come with him in his car to call on another patient of -his down the road a way--"one of the greatest living testimonies to the -efficacy of the Christian religion, because he has the most pronounced -absence of it of any one I have ever seen." - -The girls hesitated, wanting to get back to their father, but he would -brook no opposition. - -"He will not know you are there. He will be laughing or crying or -making love to the nurse, maybe using a little strong language on the -side, and it will be no pleasure to him to have a witness, and no -pleasure to you--and you will be a pleasure to me, so that settles it. -Come along, while you have the chance, for I shall not have time to -bother with you after to-day." - -And he crowded them into his small car and carried them off to inspect -the "awfully un-Christian patient," who looked at them sharply when the -doctor presented them. - -"If he told you I am an infidel, he is a liar," said the old man, -looking suspiciously at the doctor's placid face. "I was the treasurer -of a church--" - -"Yes, he was," said the doctor, sniffing. "He was treasurer of a -church for three years, and now he is a millionaire. Draw your own -conclusions." - -"I have been a church-member all my life." - -"Yes, he has," snorted the doctor. "To the everlasting disgrace of the -church, I must admit it." - -"I have contributed--" - -"You have contributed to the unhappiness of more poor people than -anybody else in Chicago, and you know it," said the doctor curtly. - -"If you weren't the best doctor in town I would discharge you." - -"If I did not intend to bleed you out of half your fortune before you -die I would not 'tend to you another day," snapped the doctor. - -The girls looked on in silent horror. MacCammon smiled appreciatively. -The patient was lying helpless under the doctor's skilful hands, -obeying his orders with child-like confidence, and the doctor -was ministering to the physical needs of the old man with tender -professional touches. But all the while the patient glared venomously -up into the doctor's face and the doctor glowered back. - -"Turn over," said the doctor sharply. - -"Ain't he polite?" sneered the old man. "Ain't he a perfect gentleman?" -But he did not hesitate to obey the doctor's word. - -"Now turn back. I did not want anything. Just wanted to see if it would -hurt you to move. There's nothing the matter with you anyhow but an -overdose of devil germs. You've bulldozed and browbeaten so many people -for so many years that you've got a calloused heart and a calloused -soul. It gives you indigestion. That's all that ails you--spiritual -indigestion." - -Doris came forward with gentle sympathy and laid a slender hand on the -man's shoulder. - -"He is a bad doctor. This is no time to throw up your weaknesses, is -it?" - -"Well," admitted the old man, "he is a fiend, but he is a good doctor. -All the rest gave me up to die--and he came, and operated--it was a -terrible operation on the brain--and I am nearly well. He is a good -doctor--but he is a fiend. But then, if it comes to that, I haven't -been an angel myself." - -Doris could not help laughing. - -"An angel. I am surprised you know the word," scoffed the doctor. "You -wouldn't recognize an angel if you ran into one. Your eyes are blind to -everything but the dollar-mark. If you ever get to Heaven, your crown -will be made up of dollar bills instead of diamonds." - -"If you ever get to Heaven you won't have any crown at all. Just a -hypodermic needle to go around sticking into poor angels that trust -you, and you'll have crutches to play on 'stead of a harp." - -"Well, come on, girls. You have had enough. Don't let him soak into -your dispositions." - -The girls put out soft and timid hands to say good-by, and the old man -took them bashfully, blushing beneath their friendly eyes. - -"If you are still alive, I shall see you Wednesday, but I have hopes," -said the doctor. - -"It would be a pleasure to die just to get away from you," shouted the -old man after him. - -"Doctor, that was terrible," said Doris. "How could you do it? The poor -sick old man!" - -The doctor only laughed. - -"You may as well make up your mind to sitting with me," he said to -Rosalie, helping her into the front seat. "You do not seem absolutely -essential to their happiness, do you?" - -"Not absolutely, no. But I tell you right now if you begin on me as you -talked to the old man, I shall fall right out and get run over. Like -him, I think death is preferable." - -"Sometimes I feel that I missed my calling," said the doctor in a -genial tone. "I believe in my heart I should have been a minister." - -"Oh, mercy!" gasped Rosalie. - -"Why, my dear little girl, do you think I was hard on the old bird? Not -a bit of it. He told you the truth--he would have died except for me. I -have simply goaded him into strength. He lives to spite me. And I not -only brace him up physically, I am helping his soul." The doctor said -this complacently, and was greeted by derisive laughter. - -"Fact, for all you may laugh. Twice since I have had him he has -extended mortgages. First time he ever did such a thing in his life. -His lawyers think he is in his dotage. The trouble with him is that he -never caught the connection between religion and business--he practised -them both, separately, and consistently. But when it came to religion -he never used his brains--he gave to everything the minister advised, -whether it was sensible or not, just because the minister advised -it--and he sat around and prayed to any old mutt of a preacher, just -because he was a reverend. No business sense about it. And then when -it came to business, he did not let his religion interfere. I am the -connecting link between his religion and his business--and I expect -to make a man of him. I think in time I shall work out his soul's -salvation. Quite seriously, I believe I would have made a cracking good -minister." - -Then he took them back to the hospital and up to their father's room. -Doris stepped quickly to the bedside. - -"Doris? Is it my little girl?" - -"Yes, you dear father, Doris and Rosalie are here." - -They sat beside the bed, one on either side, and stroked his hands -tenderly, glad tears streaming down their faces. After a time, when he -thought he could control his voice, he said: - -"Girls, I am sorry--but I am quite blind. I can hear you, but I see -nothing." - -"Oh, dearest," cried Doris brokenly, "of course you can't. Your eyes -are bandaged. You are not supposed to see yet. You must wait. The -operation was a perfect success." - -"Why, my dear old fellow," said the doctor in an annoyed tone, "do you -think I am a miracle man? You are not supposed to step right out of the -ether into the broad light. You are a dandy, sure enough. Aren't these -preachers the limit? Growling because he can't see when he is plastered -up in ten inches of cotton." - -The minister laughed, softly, happily. "It was foolish. I see it now, -of course. But it gave me a terrible jar. I was sure I was blind." - -So while the girls sat beside him the doctor and MacCammon went away to -leave them alone for a while. - -"The real tug will come when he gets home," said the doctor. "He has no -business to use his eyes for at least six months. He ought to play for -fully half a year. But he does not know how to play. That is the worst -of these preachers--they get so used to the grind, grind, grind, that -they can't let up. What we'll do with him for the next six months is -more than I can figure out." - -"The girls will think of something. They are wonderful girls." - -"Yes, very. Rosalie in particular," said the doctor. - -"Doris in particular also," supplemented MacCammon quickly. "He can -preach, can't he? I imagine he will need the money." - -"Yes, he can preach if he's got it in his head. He can't do any -reading." - -"It will not be easy. But we can leave it to Doris all right." - -"That Rosalie is a lovely girl--a beautiful girl," said the doctor -warmly. - -"They both are," came quickly. - -"Oh, get out. Can't you take anything impersonally? Don't come mooning -around to me. I have troubles enough of my own. I say that Rosalie -is lovelier than your Doris, has a better figure, finer hair, more -attractive features, and infinitely better eyes, and if you don't like -it, go to thunder," and the doctor went out quickly, laughing, and -slammed the door behind him. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -RISING TO THE MANSE - - -In answer to intense and persistent pleading on the part of Treasure -and Zee, the girls decided to remain in Chicago until their father also -returned home. It did not seem at all expensive living in the big city, -thanks partly, of course, to the continued hospitality of MacCammon -and the bishop, and the doctor, and other friends of the Presbyterian -fold. And since school was practically out anyhow, Rosalie knew she -was missing nothing except good times, and there never was a time good -enough to tempt her away from her father when he so evidently enjoyed -her presence. - -It was very surprising, of course, that those unaccountable little -mischiefs at home were so happy in the presence of Miss Carlton, whom -they had never particularly admired. But since they insisted, and -since father did say it was sweet to have them with him, and since -MacCammon had developed a strange partiality for the young girls at -home, strongly seconding every suggestion they made, Doris and Rosalie -lingered in Chicago. Their father's strength returned rapidly, and -although he was kept in constant heavy shadow, there were many good and -rollicking times for all of them. And in spite of the doctor's open -declaration that he would never have time to bother with them after the -first day, he did find many, many hours to while away in their gentle -but merry presence. - -"You are sure you have time? You are sure there is nobody clamoring for -you to come and cut them to pieces?" Rosalie would say sweetly. - -And the doctor was always comfortably and confidently sure. - -And when at last the day came for getting ready to return home he hung -around the little apartment sitting on things they wished to pack and -getting in the way of suit-cases and bags that needed to be moved, -seeming quite to forget that he was a famous surgeon and that people -were waiting patiently for him to wield his knife. - -"If anybody urged me particularly I think I'd take a day off and go -home with you. Your father may need attention when he gets there, and I -need a vacation, and I could come back on the night train. But nobody -thinks of inviting me, of course." - -"Please come," said Doris promptly. - -"I won't invite you," said MacCammon pointedly. "The girls think you -are responsible for saving their father's eyes--though anybody else -could have done it just as well--and when you are around nobody pays -any attention to me at all. So I think you'd better stay in Chicago, -where you belong." - -"There you are--isn't that gratitude for you?" - -"Don't mind him," said Doris. "I am the General. Do as I say." - -He looked hopefully at Rosalie. - -"They sit in the front seat and entertain themselves," she said, "and -never bother about me alone in the rear. I invite you to come and sit -with me, and let's not say a word to them all the way home." - -He accepted that invitation immediately and rushed off to make -arrangements to keep his patients alive until his return. - -Zee had insisted most strongly that the whole family should arrive -home at the same identical minute, and not come stringing in all day, -keeping them upset, and MacCammon, with his usual loyalty to her, said -flatly it must be done. - -"It can't be done," protested Doris. "The doctor will not let father go -in the car, and how can we get there the same minute?" - -"We shall start early in the morning, and your father will go on -the noon train. Then we shall plan to get to town just exactly at -two-twenty-seven, meet the train, pick your father up bodily, and carry -him home in triumph." - -"It can't be done." - -"If Zee says, 'Do it,' it shall be done," said MacCammon decidedly. -"Her confidence in me must not be shattered. We leave this town at -eight-thirty to-morrow--allowing time for blowouts and quarrels en -route. And if we see we are getting in early, we'll stop beneath a big -tree outside of town and point out the scenery to the doctor, who does -not know anything about any kind of scenery except bones and skin." - -"But father--" - -"Oh, the bishop can get him on the train and start him home. That's all -bishops are good for," said MacCammon imperturbably. And he made the -arrangement himself to the intense delight of Rosalie, who giggled at -his elbow all the time he was discussing the plan with the bishop. - -Then came the long lovely ride home, Doris and MacCammon blissfully -content in the front seat, and the doctor taking a most unprofessional -interest in Rosalie's softness and girlishness and gurgliness in the -tonneau. - -"Oh, Rosalie," Doris said to her teasingly when they were in the -dressing-room at the hotel "smoothening up" for luncheon. "Oh, Rosalie, -dear, do you still--er--wonder if you are too young to fall in -love--with a senior?" - -Rosalie laughed brightly. "I have decided, Mr. General, that I am not -too young to fall in love with--anybody." And then she added, "But I -know now that seniors are quite too awfully young to be fallen in love -with--Bob Alden, for instance--why, he is a perfect infant!" - -Surely enough, they had a long wait under the maples just outside of -town, and MacCammon persisted in pointing out the different grains -coming up in the fields around them, and the different birds flitting -in the branches, and the different flowers nodding by the roadside--to -the intense annoyance of the doctor, who said openly he did not care -two cents about grains and birds and flowers, and very much preferred -to concentrate on other things that interested him more. - -Then came the last flying rush to the station, where father was met and -welcomed as though he had not been seen only a few hours before, and -they sped quickly to the manse. - -"Do hurry," Doris begged. "I know they have a surprise for us, and I -can't wait." - -The surprise was evident as soon as they entered the door. For all the -manse was softly, sweetly shaded, with silky green and rose-colored -curtains before every window. Every light was covered with dainty -shades of the same soft colors. There was no glare, no bright splashes -of light, no gleam, from any corner. - -The doctor himself removed the heavy goggle glasses from their father's -eyes. - -"This can't hurt anybody," he declared. "It is charming. Look around, -man." - -"Why, you dear little girls," said Mr. Artman. "Did you do this for me?" - -"For all of us," said Treasure. "We knew it would make us all happy if -you could be right in the home with us, and comfortable, not shut up by -yourself in a dark room alone up-stairs, and so we did it for the whole -family." - -"Where is Miss Carlton?" asked Doris. - -"She left yesterday," said Zee. "We wanted to have the house to -ourselves." - -"But wherever did you get the money?" wondered Doris. - -"Ladies' Aid," they shouted triumphantly. "We were going to do it with -cheaper stuff out of our allowance--but when they heard about it they -chipped in--and, oh, how we have worked." Zee danced about on joyous -toes. "And the house cleaning is all done--and come up-stairs and see -father's room." - -There was not even a white coverlet on the bed in his room, only the -very palest and softest of colors--and upholstering on the chairs in -deep green tones--even the paper on the wall was changed. - -"Whoever in the world--" gasped Doris. - -"Bangs and the Corduroy Crab," exulted Zee. "They worked and worked, -and made the whole room over. Isn't the Curious Cat a darling not to -tell you? He knew it all the time." - -Doris held out her hand to him impulsively, and he took it, and kept it -in his. - -"And that isn't all--sit down, everybody," cried Zee nervously. "We -haven't half shown you everything. Sit down, and-- You tell it, -Treasure, your part comes next." - -"You tell it, Zee, you talk more--I mean better, than I do." - -"Well," began Zee, nothing loath, perching herself on her father's -knee and beaming around on them like a fairy godmother, "you see when -we first knew about father's eyes, and Doris and Rosalie were doing -everything for father, we felt just terribly badly, because we couldn't -do anything, and we felt so useless, we just hated to be alive. And so -we talked to our nice old Cat--" - -"Zee!" - -"It is a compliment, Mr. MacCammon," she said, smiling on him warmly. -"And between the three of us we figured and schemed--for we were -determined to do our share, and--and--come up to the manse, you know. -We wanted to rise to the--the occasion with the rest of you, even if we -are young and usually in trouble. And so guess what Treasure did." - -"Tell us," begged Doris. - -"Nobody can ever tell what either of you ever did," said Rosalie. - -"Well, she began going to domestic science classes, hours and hours and -hours. And when Miss Carlton was here, they worked every minute, both -of them, like--like dogs--cooking and baking, and learning stuff, and -Treasure is a perfectly wonderful cook--better than Doris herself. She -can cook anything in the world, and bake bread, and--she can cook the -whole meal, all by herself, and she loves it, and she is going to do it -all the time after this, so Doris will have more time for father, and -to help with the church, and to--entertain Mr. MacCammon, and so forth." - -"Honestly?" - -"Wait till dinner, and you shall see." - -"And, father," began Treasure gently, "you know I do not care for -school much, and now I have finished high school, I thought maybe you -would not make me go to college. I can't teach or anything. I am too -afraid to get up before folks, and--won't you please let me stay at -home and be your cook, and just study music, and a few little things -like that?" - -"Why, Treasure!" - -"Well, think it over," said Zee. "It is open for consideration anyhow." - -"Tell about your part, Zee." - -"Oh, mine is not important," said Zee, "the cooking is the big job." - -"It is, too, important," cried Treasure indignantly. "Poor little Zee -has been darning and mending every minute for the last month--and her -fingers are all pricked up, and she got so tired of it--but she can do -it just fine, and she is going to all the rest of the time--and she -and I have been making beds and sweeping, and we are awfully smart at -it--if we do say so ourselves--and so, Miss General, you are out of a -job. Zee and I take the whole house." - -"But what am I to do?" asked Doris dazedly. - -MacCammon squeezed her fingers suggestively, but Doris could not or -would not get the message. - -"You are to play with father, and call on the sick," said Zee glibly. -"We've got it all figured out. You and father and Rosalie are to play -all summer, go camping, and fishing and hunting--and go driving around -the country to conventions and chautauquas, and--and--everything." - -"Oh, that blessed car," said Doris. "Oh, dear Mr. Davison, how good and -kind he was." - -"Doris will have Mr. Davison haloed before long. He has grown -constantly better since the day of his death." - -"It taught me a lesson, Rosalie. I never believed there was any good in -that man at all--but now I know there must have been a divine spark in -him all the time, and maybe if we had not been so sure he was no good, -we might have fanned the spark a little before he died. I feel guilty -about Mr. Davison--my conscience hurts." - -"But, girls, you are so young--" protested Mr. Artman. - -"Just try us, father, that is all. We've got the goods--you watch us -deliver," cried Zee, and for once Doris did not reprove her for the -slang. - -"There does not seem much need for a minister here, then," he said, -laughing. "With Rosalie taking my Sunday-school class, and Doris -selecting my sermons, and both of them looking up references--what is -the use of having a preacher?" - -"You must still listen to the troubles, and weep with the sad, and -rejoice with the gay--and you must still do the marrying and the -burying and the baptizing," said Rosalie quickly. - -Treasure and Zee nudged each other, and giggled ecstatically. For they -knew what the others did not--that in all the loyal little church there -was a covenant of joy passing around from one to another. "Let's go to -him in gladness, rather than in complaint," was the new byword. And the -people were storing up bits of happiness to take to him from day to -day, little triumphs of business, spicy portions of humor and fun--and -the daily annoyances and the petty grievances were being pushed aside -and forgotten. For in time of stress and calamity, the heart of the -church beats true. Of course, when sorrow comes, it is the minister's -portion to enter into the innermost recesses of the soul, for that -is his inalienable right, as pastor of human hearts, and no physical -weakness of his own can weaken his fount of sympathy and tenderness. - -But because they loved him, all the church was learning to look up, -and laugh. And somehow it made worship sweeter when there was joy and -gratitude and faith among them and they were lifted out of the narrow -circle of self. - -No wonder, then, that Mr. Artman, in the soft light of the room that -had been his sanctuary for years, with his baby girls in his arms, and -with the two strong radiant daughters standing near him, felt that the -manse was a place of benediction and of peace. - -"I used to wonder--if I could rear my girls alone," he said, smiling, -though his voice was tremulous. "There were so many problems--and it -was hard to see if we were coming out just right--I used to wonder if I -knew enough to handle it." - -Zee patted his shoulder reassuringly. "We never doubted it, father," -she said, in a most maternal voice. - -"Of course, we had lots of trouble, father, getting grown up," said -Treasure. "But you might know that when the time came--we would be--" - -"There with the goods," put in Zee impishly. - -"We just naturally rose to the standard of the manse," said the General -grandly. - -MacCammon had not released his hold of Doris' hand, and now he drew her -outside the room and closed the door. - -"Doris," he said, "I can't wait any longer. I am afraid the bishop -might send a telegram, or come flying in by aeroplane. And I want -to make sure of belonging to this family right away. You are -wonderful--all of you--the whole family." - -"It is the manse," said Doris, smiling. "It keeps us up, and coming. We -have to live up to it." - -"It is the manse, partly, perhaps," he said, "but it is mostly--" - -"I know--it is mostly father. Nobody could doubt that. Did you ever see -a father like him?" - -"I never did, and I never saw a Doris like you. Please excuse me, -dearest, for making you think of me, when your heart is full of your -father, and your sisters, and your manse--but I love you very much. -When your father's eyes are strong and well, and when Rosalie has -finished college, and when Treasure is really ready for promotion to a -captaincy--then will you come and make me happy?" - -Doris flushed warmly, and lifted her eyes to his face, looking steadily -at him. - -"Do not think it is just selfishness, dearest, my trying to intrude on -your sacred hour of coming home, but--" - -"You could not intrude," she said softly. "For you belong in the -home-coming. It would not be coming home at all if you were not here." - -Her lips were quivering, and the tears rushed to her eyes as he put his -arms around her. - -After a time, Zee opened the door and whirled out upon them. - -"Mercy!" she said. "I was coming after you. Father wants everybody to -be right there every minute." - -"I know now there never was any chance for the bishop," said MacCammon, -smiling. "Oh, the poor bishop! That bad little Rosalie was just scaring -me." - -"That bad little Rosalie is turning out to be a great and glorious -girl," said Doris proudly. "Isn't she? And to think we used to call -her the awful Problem of the manse." - -"That bad little Rosalie is turning out a perfectly grand and glorious -girl because she had a sweet wise sister to solve the awful problems -for her. I know, for she told me herself." - -Zee, leaning patiently against the wall, held up a respectful hand as -though to a teacher in school. - -"May I speak now, please? Father wants his General to take charge." - -"Zee, I hope you approve of me for a brother-in-law, for it won't do -any good if you do not. It is all settled, and you may as well be -pleased." - -"Oh, Doris," wailed Zee, suddenly tearful. "Not really." - -"Why, Zee," cried Doris, shocked at her intensity of grief. "Why, Baby! -I will be here a long, long time yet--and never far away." - -"Oh, and I haven't a cent to my name. I spent all I had, and all I -could borrow, on those curtains in father's room." - -"Oh, cheer up--you won't need to buy a wedding present yet a while. We -won't hurry you. Your I.O.U. is good with us." - -"It is not that, goosie," said Zee with lofty scorn. "But Treasure and -I bet a dollar on it--and I picked the bishop--I never dreamed that -Doris would go back on us preachers--and now I haven't got the dollar." - -"Serves you right," said MacCammon grimly. "I am glad you lost. And -you can't get a loan out of me. If you had bet on me, I'd give you the -dollar and tickled to death." - -"Come on back to father," said Zee, struggling heroically to rise to -the heights required. "This is father's day. I may be bankrupt, and -ruined, and facing degradation, and all that--but I can still scare up -a smile for him." - - -THE END - - - - - "_The Books You Like to Read - at the Price You Like to Pay_" - -_There Are Two Sides to Everything_-- - ---including the wrapper which covers every Grosset & Dunlap book. -When you feel in the mood for a good romance, refer to the carefully -selected list of modern fiction comprising most of the successes by -prominent writers of the day which is printed on the back of every -Grosset & Dunlap book wrapper. - -You will find more than five hundred titles to choose from--books for -every mood and every taste and every pocket-book. - -_Don't forget the other side, but in case the wrapper is lost, write to -the publishers for a complete catalog._ - - -_There is a Grosset & Dunlap Book for every mood and for every taste_ - - - - -RUBY M. AYRES' NOVELS - -May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list. - - -_RICHARD CHATTERTON_ - -A fascinating story in which love and jealousy play strange tricks with -women's souls. - - -_A BACHELOR HUSBAND_ - -Can a woman love two men at the same time? - -In its solving of this particular variety of triangle "A Bachelor -Husband" will particularly interest, and strangely enough, without one -shock to the most conventional minded. - - -_THE SCAR_ - -With fine comprehension and insight the author shows a terrific -contrast between the woman whose love was of the flesh and one whose -love was of the spirit. - - -_THE MARRIAGE OF BARRY WICKLOW_ - -Here is a man and woman who, marrying for love, yet try to build their -wedded life upon a gospel of hate for each other and yet win back to a -greater love for each other in the end. - - -_THE UPHILL ROAD_ - -The heroine of this story was a consort of thieves. The man was fine, -clean, fresh from the West. It is a story of strength and passion. - - -_WINDS OF THE WORLD_ - -Jill, a poor little typist, marries the great Henry Sturgess and -inherits millions, but not happiness. Then at last--but we must leave -that to Ruby M. Ayres to tell you as only she can. - - -_THE SECOND HONEYMOON_ - -In this story the author has produced a book which no one who has loved -or hopes to love can afford to miss. The story fairly leaps from climax -to climax. - - -_THE PHANTOM LOVER_ - -Have you not often heard of someone being in love with love rather -than the person they believed the object of their affections? That was -Esther! But she passes through the crisis into a deep and profound love. - - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK - - - - -PETER B. KYNE'S NOVELS - -May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list. - - -_THE PRIDE OF PALOMAR_ - -When two strong men clash and the under-dog has Irish blood in his -veins--there's a tale that Kyne can tell! And "the girl" is also very -much in evidence. - - -_KINDRED OF THE DUST_ - -Donald McKay, son of Hector McKay, millionaire lumber king, falls in -love with "Nan of the Sawdust Pile," a charming girl who has been -ostracized by her townsfolk. - - -_THE VALLEY OF THE GIANTS_ - -The fight of the Cardigans, father and son, to hold the Valley of the -Giants against treachery. The reader finishes with a sense of having -lived with big men and women in a big country. - - -_CAPPY RICKS_ - -The story of old Cappy Ricks and of Matt Peasley, the boy he tried to -break because he knew the acid test was good for his soul. - - -_WEBSTER: MAN'S MAN_ - -In a little Jim Crow Republic in Central America, a man and a woman, -hailing from the "States," met up with a revolution and for a while -adventures and excitement came so thick and fast that their love affair -had to wait for a lull in the game. - - -_CAPTAIN SCRAGGS_ - -This sea yarn recounts the adventures of three rapscallion sea-faring -men--a Captain Scraggs, owner of the green vegetable freighter Maggie, -Gibney the mate and McGuffney the engineer. - - -_THE LONG CHANCE_ - -A story fresh from the heart of the West, of San Pasqual, a sun-baked -desert town, of Harley P. Hennage, the best gambler, the best and worst -man of San Pasqual and of lovely Donna. - - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Leave it to Doris, by Ethel Hueston - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAVE IT TO DORIS *** - -***** This file should be named 60273-8.txt or 60273-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/2/7/60273/ - -Produced by MWS, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Leave it to Doris - -Author: Ethel Hueston - -Illustrator: W. B. King - -Release Date: September 10, 2019 [EBook #60273] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAVE IT TO DORIS *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p class="bold2">LEAVE IT TO DORIS</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="I was laughing at you" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"I was laughing at you"</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="title page" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<h1>LEAVE IT TO <br />DORIS</h1> - -<p class="bold space-above">BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">ETHEL HUESTON</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">AUTHOR OF<br />PRUDENCE OF THE PARSONAGE,<br /> -PRUDENCE SAYS SO, <span class="smcap">Etc.</span></p> - -<p class="bold space-above">ILLUSTRATED BY<br />W. B. KING</p> - -<div class="center space-above"><img src="images/dec.jpg" alt="decoration" /></div> - -<p class="bold space-above">NEW YORK<br />GROSSET & DUNLAP<br />PUBLISHERS</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">Made in the United States of America</p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright 1919<br />The Bobbs-Merrill Company</span></p> - -<p class="center space-above"><i>Printed in the United States of America</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="center"><i>To</i><br /> -<br /> -MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS<br /> -<br /> -Who with me learned the secret of riotously<br /> -happy living even in parsonage confines</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smaller">CHAPTER</span></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>I </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The General</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>II </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Problem</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>III </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Imp</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Blessing</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>V </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Will</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Serpent</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Discipline</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Bishop</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IX </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Runaways</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_165">165</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>X </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Mr. Wizard</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XI </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Philosopher</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Finding the Path</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIII </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Rosalie's Way</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Doctor</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_261">261</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XV </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Rising to the Manse</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_274">274</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p class="bold2">LEAVE IT TO DORIS</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">LEAVE IT TO DORIS</p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I</span> <span class="smaller">THE GENERAL</span></h2> - -<p>The Reverend Mr. Artman paced soberly up and down the small living-room -of his manse, as every one called the parsonage. His eyes were clouded. -The lines at the corners of his kindly lips were sternly set. Now and -then he glanced toward the bay-window where Doris sat, untroubled, -serene, her dainty fingers cleverly transforming huge rents in small -garments into triumphs of patchery. The wind, coming softly through the -peach trees outside the windows, loosened tiny tendrils of hair that -curled tenderly about her rosy ears.</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman sighed drearily.</p> - -<p>Doris, unperturbed, continued her darning, but bright lights were -dancing in her blue eyes.</p> - -<p>"Hay, ho," drawled Mr. Artman suggestively.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Isn't it lovely and cool to-day, father?" queried his daughter sweetly.</p> - -<p>Without answering, he walked abruptly to the kitchen door, peering -anxiously into the room beyond, and closed it cautiously. The General -puckered her lips earnestly over a too-small scrap of cloth vainly -coping with a too-large rent. Her father went to the door opening upon -the porch, and closed it also. Then he walked slowly up toward his -daughter, opening his lips as though on the verge of confidence. But he -turned once more, and resumed his restless pacing.</p> - -<p>Then Doris dropped the darning into the basket beside her and faced her -father.</p> - -<p>"Father," and the voice, though soft, was imperious.</p> - -<p>He started guiltily, and flushed.</p> - -<p>"Come and sit down," she commanded. "If you do not speak up instantly -and tell me what is on your mind I shall jump up and down and scream. -You make me so nervous when you squirm around that way. What ever in -the world is the matter with you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - -<p>Her father quickly dumped the mending basket and its contents upon -the floor, with masculine and ministerial lack of regard for things -domestic, and appropriated the chair, drawing it close to his -daughter's side.</p> - -<p>"Hurry, hurry," came the gentle authoritative voice. "I have oceans to -do. What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Well, it is— Why, nothing special, child, what made you think—"</p> - -<p>"You haven't gone and proposed to Miss Carlton, have you?" she gasped.</p> - -<p>"No, thank Heaven," came the fervent answer.</p> - -<p>"Careful, father. You mean it devoutly, I am sure, but Providence might -mistake it for irreverence. Providence does not know Miss Carlton as we -do, you know. Don't be afraid to tell me then—nothing else could be so -terribly bad."</p> - -<p>"Well, dearest, I was just wondering if—don't you think, perhaps—if I -help a lot, and see that the girls do their share—don't you think we -could get along without Miss Carlton this year?"</p> - -<p>The General considered, her curly head cocked on one side, her brows -knitted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I wanted to take charge right after mother died—but you were not -willing."</p> - -<p>"You were too young then, and still in school."</p> - -<p>"Aren't you satisfied with Miss Carlton's work?" she asked slyly.</p> - -<p>"Her work has nothing to— Yes, of course I am, dear. And she is a good -woman, very good. And has been a great help to us the last three years, -at a very reasonable salary."</p> - -<p>"I have done most of the work myself, but you do not believe it," said -Doris.</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course you have, dear. And the Problem is quite old now, and -between the two of you—between the three of us, I mean—"</p> - -<p>"You mean, between me," said Doris frankly. "Your intentions are the -best in the world, father darling, but if you ever broke into the -kitchen you would very likely wipe dishes on sermon manuscripts—very -good manuscripts, perhaps, but you can't practise on the dishes the -Endeavor paid forty dollars for. And the Problem! But as you say, -between me, I think perhaps I could get along without Miss Carlton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -nicely. She is rather hard to evade, isn't she, dearest?"</p> - -<p>Her father flushed boyishly. "I am sure, Doris—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, indeed, dear, so am I," she interrupted sweetly. "And I am truly -proud that you have withstood so long. Stronger men than you have -fallen in less persistent sieges. You have done well. But I hope you -will remember that I have been praying right along that you might be -given strength equal to the conquest, so don't take too much credit -yourself."</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose the poor thing really can't help—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, belovedest, of course she can't help it. Only I haven't -noticed any married women finding you so irresistibly handsome, and -fascinating, and all that, have you? At least, they don't come telling -you about it to your face."</p> - -<p>Then at his guilty face she laughed, and snuggled on his knee, kissing -his chin adoringly.</p> - -<p>"You are a dear sweet darling love," she said, "and I will do my best -to make you comfortable,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> and keep the manse on four legs, or four -wheels, or four—what is it a manse runs on, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Four girls," he said, laughing. "Mine does, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Er, father, when will you break it to Miss Carlton?"</p> - -<p>He sighed heavily. "Why, General, I supposed—I thought—maybe it would -be better for you just to tell her you are old enough to take charge -yourself now, and—I think she would take it better from you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, what a coward you are," she said sadly. "You call me -General, and I know I rule you with a rod of iron, but I haven't much -backbone in my army, I am sure of that. Well, then, I will break it -to Miss Carlton." She looked thoughtfully out at the branches swaying -lazily in the warm wind. "I wonder how the Problem will take it? She is -so likely to object, you know."</p> - -<p>He cleared his throat anxiously. "Oh, you can fix it up with her some -way."</p> - -<p>"I am to do that, too, am I?" laughed the General. "You'd better look -up that epistle about the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> armor, father. You need a breastplate, and -a steel helmet, and a sword of faith—and quite a lot of things. Run -along then, dearest, and don't bother me. Miss Carlton will be here in -a few minutes, and I must prepare my campaign."</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman reached hastily for his hat. "I—I think I shall go -down-town a while—I need some fresh air— That mean little headache -again, you know—and I must see Mr. James. Pretty sick man. I may not -be home for dinner to-night. Don't sit up for me—and don't let anybody -else."</p> - -<p>"A good thing we have a sick member, isn't it?" she teased. "You aren't -going to get home until the storm is over, are you?" She shook her -curls at him reprovingly. "Such a good, sweet, faithful preacher you -are—and such an awful coward when it comes to us women."</p> - -<p>"I tell you, Doris," he said sturdily, "I think it would be easier to -face a den of lions, or a howling mob of I.W.W.'s, or any number of -ordinary sinners, than one Christian woman when she wants—she makes up -her mind—I mean—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You mean, when she is getting you ready to propose to her, I suppose. -I do not blame you, father.—Fly, here she comes. Scoot out the back -door, and sneak through the barn. It will be over by morning. Run, you -coward, run," she cried, shooing him gaily out the back door.</p> - -<p>Then she went back to the bay-window, and sat down with the mending, -her pretty brows puckered.</p> - -<p>"Miss Carlton is wax in my hands," she thought. "But whatever in the -world will Rosalie say? If one only knew what to expect, it would not -be so serious. But nobody ever can predict how our lovely little old -Problem of a Rosalie will take anything."</p> - -<p>"Still mending, dear Doris?" came a voice of studied sweetness from the -doorway.</p> - -<p>"Yes, still at it. But I did not work all the time. I have been playing -with father. He is such a tease."</p> - -<p>Miss Carlton looked around the wide room anxiously, hopefully.</p> - -<p>"He is gone now—to see Mr. James, I think—somebody <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>sick, anyhow. I -have been having a serious time with him, Miss Carlton." She dropped -the mending and looked at the older, much older woman, with frank, -straightforward, innocent eyes. "They call me General, but they never -want to do as I say."</p> - -<p>"And what is our little General after now?" asked Miss Carlton, -smiling. "Shall I help you get it? I do not think he will refuse it, if -I ask."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you will be like every one else; you will say it is not advisable. -But they do not call me General for nothing." Doris straightened her -slender shoulders, and looked very domineering. "I have made up my -mind. I shall have my way."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't your father give in?" Miss Carlton's voice was mildly -surprised. Father Artman withstood Doris very, very seldom indeed.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, he gave in, of course. That is, he says I shall try it. But I -know he thinks I shall tire of it soon. He does not know me, does he? I -never give up, do I?"</p> - -<p>"Not very often, no," admitted Miss Carlton rather grimly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come and sit down, dear, and let me tell you," said Doris eagerly. "I -think it will make you happy too. I am twenty years old, and very, oh, -tremendously mature, don't you think so?"</p> - -<p>"Well, perhaps," was the doubtful admission.</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course. And you know how hard up we preachers always are, and -we have to economize just fearfully, especially now the Problem is a -junior in college—and somehow it takes lots more clothes for her in -college than it ever did for me. And you have been so wonderful to us -all these three years, and such a help—but now I feel that I am old -enough—and that it is my duty and my priceless opportunity to take -charge of the family, and then you can go home again and be free to -live your own life, and though you have never complained I know how -happy it will make you."</p> - -<p>"No, indeed," came the quick protest. "I like it here. The salary is -nothing extra, but you have done quite a lot of the work, you know. Oh, -no indeed, little girl, you must not think of it. Why, it is just time -for you to have your play days now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> your school is over, and we older -ones can bear the burdens of life. You must not think of it."</p> - -<p>"But I have thought of it," said Doris sweetly. "And father promised I -should try. And I am the General."</p> - -<p>"You have been planning all these years to go to Chicago and study, and -become a missionary. You can not give up your life ambitions now."</p> - -<p>"I have changed them," said Doris. "Father wants me, and that is -enough."</p> - -<p>"He won't let you change them for him."</p> - -<p>"Father is the most unselfish thing in the world, I know," smiled -Doris. "But father has forgotten that I ever even thought of such a -thing—and since he wants me here, it is settled. I shall never think -of it again."</p> - -<p>"You won't be happy—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Miss Carlton," said Doris, standing up suddenly, tall and -straight. "You think I won't be happy staying where father wants me, -and filling father's need?"</p> - -<p>"But it would be wicked to deny the call to service as—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I wanted to be a missionary because it appealed to me. But I hear no -call but father's voice. If a message came from Heaven, the way would -be changed for me. Right now, the path of service goes right smack into -the manse, and I do not see it going out on the other side." Doris -smiled winsomely.</p> - -<p>"Wait till I talk things over with your father—he will see how absurd -it is."</p> - -<p>"He promised. Father may have his faults, though I do not know what -they are, but he always keeps a promise."</p> - -<p>"He should not have promised until he discussed things with me."</p> - -<p>"But, Miss Carlton, <i>we</i> are his family, you know. And I am the oldest -daughter, and very grown up. You see how it is, don't you? Of course, I -do not wish to hurry you off, but I know how anxious you must be to get -home, and you need not feel you have to linger on my account. I haven't -planned anything to do to-morrow, and can help you with your packing -the whole day long."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I can do my own packing, thank you. And I shall do it immediately. -Your father really consented to this arrangement, did he?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, certainly he did. He sees himself that it is the proper thing to -do, and will save quite a little money, and goodness knows we need -it. And then the responsibility will develop my character, or—or -something."</p> - -<p>Miss Carlton flounced out of the room and up the stairs. Doris listened -intently at the door.</p> - -<p>"She is not exactly happy about it, but I am. And father is. If I only -knew what the Problem would think of it. I wish Miss Carlton would go -right straight away—she is angry enough to do it. Then I could tackle -the Problem alone, and it would be too late to undo."</p> - -<p>She shut her eyes very tightly and murmured softly, unintelligibly -beneath her breath. "Now to make doubly sure, I shall go and -concentrate. Every one says you get things if you concentrate hard -enough."</p> - -<p>She listened once more at the door that led into the hall. Miss Carlton -was undoubtedly throwing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> her possessions violently and untenderly into -her bags and trunk.</p> - -<p>"Concentration won't hurt, for when she remembers how handsome father -is she may change her mind," said the General soberly.</p> - -<p>So she slipped back to the bay-window, and bent all her energies, and -all the force of her strong young will to the task of concentration.</p> - -<p>A little later she heard Miss Carlton at the up-stairs branch of the -telephone, and though she would not dream of listening to a telephonic -conversation, she did saunter carelessly to the hall door and so -overheard Miss Carlton giving a hurried order for an expressman.</p> - -<p>"Providence and concentration together are really irresistible," she -smiled to herself. "I suppose, after all, I could have gotten along -without the concentration, but in a crisis like this I thought it would -not hurt to try everything."</p> - -<p>She went demurely back to her mending, and after a while the expressman -came and took away the trunk and bags, and finally Miss Carlton came to -her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am going home right now, Doris," she said, "but I do not regard this -as final. We shall say I am going for a visit. And when you want me to -come back, just telephone. After all, I think it is a good move. Your -father will soon find out what a difference I made in the home. He will -be the first to want me back." She smiled without resentment. "So I -quite agree with you, little General. This just suits my purpose, and I -shall stay at home until—some one comes after me."</p> - -<p>"I know we are going to miss you," cried Doris sincerely. "You have -always been kind to us, and we have never been able to pay you half -what you deserved. And if we find we can't get along, and you are -willing, we shall have you back in a hurry. But I am going to try, and -I never yield until I have to."</p> - -<p>So Doris paid Miss Carlton the modest sum due her and the two parted -with cordiality, Miss Carlton leaving friendly messages for the other -members of the household.</p> - -<p>As soon as she was quite out of sight, Doris flew to the kitchen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Even the Problem is amenable to a good meal," she said. "She shall -have delicious cream gravy—the little glutton—and pear preserves, and -apple dumplings."</p> - -<p>So eagerly and so passionately did she devote her energies to the task -that she did not hear the door open behind her, and never knew her -sister was at her elbow until a soft ripply voice said suddenly:</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. General, is mess nearly ready for us?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie," cried Doris, flinging floury arms about the girl at her -side. "Oh, you dear little darling, I am so glad you came."</p> - -<p>"Why so mushy?" demanded Rosalie in a voice so soft and gurgling -and throaty it made one think of tinkling waterfalls, and silver -moonshine, and irresistible dimples. "Don't I <i>always</i> come? Why all -the exclamations at me?"</p> - -<p>"Because I love you, and because I am happy, and because—you scoot to -the phone, will you, and call up Mr. James' residence and tell father<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -I want him to come home to dinner to-night without fail, for very extra -special reasons—apple dumplings, but you needn't tell him over the -phone—and hurry, dear, before he leaves there."</p> - -<p>The General looked soberly after her sister as she danced lightly -out of the kitchen. Rosalie was quite too terribly lovely for -anything—that was really what made her such a Problem. And her eyes -were full of dazzling witching lights, and dangerous dark shadows, her -lips were rosy, pouty, tempting lips, her skin was a pearly pink and -white, and her voice melting melody.</p> - -<p>"She is Problem enough now—what will she be a little later on?" -thought the General anxiously as she took a loving look at her -dumplings.</p> - -<p>"Where is Miss Carlton?" asked Rosalie, returning promptly. "Father -says he will come immediately. Aren't the girls home yet? I suppose I -must set the table then. I think you should speak to them, Doris—they -are never here when you want them. Where is Miss Carlton? Won't she be -here for dinner?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, not—"</p> - -<p>"Goody!—Doris, do you think she—has her eye on father?"</p> - -<p>"Why, Rosalie, whatever put such a notion as that into your head?" -Doris was all wide-eyed astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Well, perhaps it is not nice of me to mention it, but she is always -tagging him about, and telling him how clever he is, and she is always -saying how much we need a mother— Oh, she's all right, of course—not -my type at all, but—I am glad she won't be home for dinner. Doris, -will you ask father if we may go to the Country Club da—party next -week? They may dance, but we won't have to. I could do it though as -easy as not. This is the first time they have asked us to a strictly -town affair, and we just have to go. This is the way they dance that -new step the girls are raving about. See? Three steps this way, one, -two, three; one, two, three; hippity hip—"</p> - -<p>"Rosalie!" gasped Doris. "Wherever did you learn that?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Amy taught me. She takes regular dancing lessons from a man, a dollar -a lesson, and then she teaches me. It is just like gym, you know, only -at a dance there are men. Miss Graham says I am very graceful, and -with my slender ankles and high insteps I would look lovely in dancing -slippers. Now, Doris, don't be horrified, I am not going to dance. But -you tell father we are invited, and— You sit out the dances, you know, -if you are a preacher and can't dance—and you get behind a big fern, -and the men tell you how lovely you are, and how much nicer it is to -sit out with <i>you</i> than to go stumbling around over other girls' toes, -getting their collars all sweated out, and how sweet and cool you look, -and—"</p> - -<p>"Rosalie!"</p> - -<p>"They do not mean it, Doris, they just talk that way. And I know they -do not mean it, so it does me no harm. And it is lots of fun. They all -do it."</p> - -<p>"They do not talk that way to me," said Doris virtuously.</p> - -<p>"No, you do not give them a chance. If a man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> says you have beautiful -blue eyes, you look him straight in the face and say, 'Yes, thank -goodness, I need something to make up for my pug nose.' That is no way -to talk to a man. You ought to drop your lashes like this, and then -look up suddenly, and away again quickly, and laugh a little and say, -'Oh, you talk that way to every one—you do not mean it,' and then they -say you are the only girl in the world—"</p> - -<p>"Rosalie Artman, I think you are perfectly terrible. Where in the world -do you learn all that silly stuff?"</p> - -<p>"I do not learn it," laughed Rosalie. "I do not have to. It was born in -me. I sort of breathe it. Tra, la, la, lalala. I can do a toe dance, -Doris. I will teach you. Does father go to the Sessions to-night? Then -we will have a lesson while he is gone. Oh, there come—"</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, I want to ask you— Don't you think we ought to get along -without Miss Carlton now? She is so sort of prim, and bossy—and -it costs eighteen dollars a month—and if we do you can have nicer -clothes, you know."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Wouldn't be proper," said Rosalie lightly. "Beautiful girls must be -properly guarded. And besides, I would have to do more work, and I -don't like to work."</p> - -<p>"Father is proper enough for anybody," said Doris with spirit. "And I -do all of the work anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Could I have a regular evening dress, V in the back and no sleeves?" -demanded Rosalie with glittering eyes. "Isn't it funny, the less there -is to a dress, the more there is to the cost? All the girls have -evening dresses, and I have the nicest shoulders in the whole gym. But -Miss Carlton would never go. You couldn't fire her off."</p> - -<p>"Who is the General?" demanded Doris loftily. "If I say go, she goes in -a hurry."</p> - -<p>Rosalie looked up quickly.</p> - -<p>"You bad General, she is gone already, isn't she?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; do you mind?"</p> - -<p>"Are you sure father won't go trotting after her, and marry her on the -sly?"</p> - -<p>Doris lifted horrified eyes skyward.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, I am sure I do not care. I think I am rather glad. Whenever -I got my dates mixed, and had two or three callers at once, she was -always shocked. She said the boys didn't act that way when she was a -girl. I rather suppose they didn't. But what Miss Carlton was and what -I am are two remotely different things. Why, you would hardly believe -we are both feminine, would you?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Doris honestly. "One can't think of any two things more -different. You are such a—such—"</p> - -<p>"Problem," laughed Rosalie. "Don't I know it? Well, you can not solve -me, Doris, so don't try. But I am just like those horrible trigonometry -nightmares—you can't figure them out to save your life, but they are -quite perfectly all right in spite of you."</p> - -<p>Doris turned to give her sister a warm adoring look. "I know that," -she said happily. "Only, however in the world you manage to say such -wonderful things with your eyes, Rosalie—I've tried and tried—alone, -of course," she added<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> hastily. "I wouldn't before people for anything. -But I can't take people's breath away as you do."</p> - -<p>Rosalie's voice rippled into mellow laughter. "You will learn. No, -you never will, Doris. You will fall in love, and marry a perfectly -adorable man, and have perfectly wonderful babies, and be as happy as -the day is long. And I will fritter along and sparkle along, and have -a hundred beaus, and Miss Carlton and I will finish up together. There -come those bad girls. Now you just scold them, General. Don't you stand -for this nonsense any more. Why, I have had to set the table every -night for a week."</p> - -<p>The younger sisters came into the room together, as they went -everywhere together. They were very nearly of the same height, though -one was two years older.</p> - -<p>"Are you tired, Treasure?" asked Doris quickly.</p> - -<p>"I haven't done anything but laugh all afternoon," came the answer. -"Why should I be tired?"</p> - -<p>Doris looked tenderly from the face of one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> little sister to the other. -Treasure's eyes were clear, serene and limpid. Her delicately tinted -olive face was fine and spiritual. And right by her side stood Zee, the -baby of the manse, thirteen years old, dark curls a-tangle, dark eyes -a-sparkle, red cheeks aglow.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you little Imp!" cried Rosalie. "You look just awful."</p> - -<p>"I do not think so," said Treasure quickly. "She looks lovely all blown -about like that."</p> - -<p>Zee laughed at them both with charming unconcern. "Do I have to brush -myself down before dinner?" she demanded, edging toward her corner of -the table.</p> - -<p>"Indeed you do; wash down, and brush down, and rub down, and do it -quickly, for here comes father."</p> - -<p>Zee obediently skipped up the stairs, and Rosalie ran to the hall to -greet her father.</p> - -<p>"And how is the Blessing of the Manse?" he asked, crossing the -room, with Rosalie still clinging to his arm, to look tenderly into -Treasure's soft fine face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Perfectly all right," came the even answer.</p> - -<p>"But not very healthy," put in Zee slyly, coming back in haste. "Didn't -I do a quick job, General? Treasure is all right, but not very healthy. -That is why she is a blessing. Haven't you noticed, Rosalie, that -blessings are very, very frail? Maybe if I looked sickish you would -call me a blessing, too?"</p> - -<p>"Is she gone, General?" came the anxious whisper as the father drew -near his oldest daughter. "And how did the Problem take it?"</p> - -<p>"Gone, father, and the Problem is glad of it—we might have known she -would be whatever we did not expect. Now I am the General in very -truth, and supper is ready—Zee, don't rush. Just a minute, dear, the -pear preserves won't evaporate. You mustn't hurry father into the -blessing."</p> - -<p>When the blessing had been asked on their food the father looked about -the little round table, and his face was richly satisfied.</p> - -<p>"This is something like," he said, smiling into the faces of his four -girls.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is now," said Rosalie. "But you just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> wait till the General -gets started. She will never let us slide along and be comfortable as -Miss Carlton did. Wait till she has time to think up orders!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II</span> <span class="smaller">THE PROBLEM</span></h2> - -<p>"General, did you ask father if we may go to the Country Club -da—party?" asked Rosalie, in her most irresistibly wheedlesome tone.</p> - -<p>Doris looked very sober. "No, I didn't," she admitted slowly. "I am -afraid we—shouldn't, Rosalie. We haven't anything to wear, in the -first place. It is a regular party, you know."</p> - -<p>"That is why I want to go. I am so tired of stupid little class -affairs, and Endeavor socials. I want a regular, honest-to-goodness -party. Please, Doris. Lots of our members belong to the Country Club. -It is very respectable."</p> - -<p>"But they are not preachers, and we are. And we haven't any regular -party clothes."</p> - -<p>"Use your eyes, my belovedest, and no one will notice your clothes. At -least, the men won't," said Rosalie shrewdly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Rosalie, that positively is not nice. You mustn't do it."</p> - -<p>"All right, General, just as you say. But your graduating dress is very -sweet and becoming, and I can wear my pink crêpe. It is a little worn -under the arms, but my eyes— Anyhow, as you say, the men won't pay any -attention to our clothes."</p> - -<p>"I did not say any such thing. How <i>could</i> we go, Rosalie? It is three -miles out, and they go in cars—we haven't one, and we can't have a -taxi, and we couldn't go alone anyhow."</p> - -<p>"I never thought of that." Rosalie puzzled over it a moment. "I have -it! Mr. and Mrs. Andrieson will go, of course. And they have their -grand big car, and they like us very much, indeed."</p> - -<p>"They aren't members—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, there are a few quite nice people that don't belong to us. -And they are terribly proper, you know, and go everywhere."</p> - -<p>"But we can't ask to go with them."</p> - -<p>"Why, certainly not. We won't have to."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> Rosalie got up slowly. "I -think I feel like taking a stroll. I am restless to-day. I shall just -saunter down Lawn Street, and maybe Mrs. Andrieson will be on her front -porch. She always stops me, if she is in sight."</p> - -<p>"You must not ask her—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris, I never thought of such a thing. But she is sure to invite -us to go with her when she knows we were asked. And so if father comes -in while I am gone, you'd better have it out with him. There's a sweet -little General."</p> - -<p>So nicely did Rosalie manage her meeting with Mrs. Andrieson that in -less than an hour she was home with everything planned to her perfect -satisfaction. Mrs. Andrieson was positively yearning to take them to -the Country Club—it would be such fun to play chaperon to two pretty -young girls. To Father Artman, one party was just like another—in his -innocent eyes there was no difference between an Endeavor Social and a -Country Club da—er, party—except that he had never been to the latter -in person. And so it was entirely settled that they were to go, long -before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> the General herself was at all convinced as to the propriety of -it.</p> - -<p>And when she found Rosalie before the long mirror in her room, with the -soft bands of lace at the throat of the pink dress tucked carefully -underneath and out of sight, permitting a quite generous exposure of -soft white throat and shoulder, Doris knew for sure that it was a great -mistake.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie Problematic Artman," she said sternly. "We shall not go a step -if that is your plan."</p> - -<p>Rosalie looked tenderly at the pink shoulder. "Doesn't it look nice, -Doris?" Reluctantly she restored the bands to their proper place. "I -look like a silly little grammar-school kid. But that is what we get -for being preachers. Never mind. I certainly have good shoulders if -ever—if ever—"</p> - -<p>"If ever what?"</p> - -<p>"If ever I do get a chance at the outside of the ministry," she said -blithely. "But, of course, father would faint at the bare idea, though -it is not really low even with the bands turned under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>—nothing at all -like the dresses other women wear."</p> - -<p>Even Doris had to laugh at the childish fair face and the childish soft -voice of little Rosalie as she descanted on the matter of "other women."</p> - -<p>And Rosalie smiled good-naturedly. "Shall I teach you some of the new -steps, Doris? Of course, you won't dance, but it will be more fun -looking on if you know how it is done."</p> - -<p>Doris waved the pretty temptress away, but she laughed.</p> - -<p>On the night of the "regular party" she stood by with motherly -solicitude while Rosalie piled her golden curls high on her head and -drew little shining rings down low before her ears.</p> - -<p>"I suppose even we preachers can fix our hair in style," she said -in the ripply unruffled voice. For regardless of the clash of -circumstances with her personal opinions and wants, Rosalie seldom -showed real annoyance. But she fingered the bands at the throat of her -dress and glanced at Doris with speculating, shining eyes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - -<p>The General, with her soft curls drooping tenderly about her face, with -her wide frank eyes, wearing a white dress cut on simple lines, seemed -a nice and bashful child beside her younger sister, who stoutly decreed -that eyes are a talent, given one for cultivation.</p> - -<p>When the Andriesons sounded their horn at the gate of the manse the -girls ran down-stairs together, hand in hand.</p> - -<p>"How do we look, father?" asked Doris, standing before him, straight -and slim.</p> - -<p>"Like a fresh white morning-glory," he said, kissing her.</p> - -<p>"And how do I look?" dimpled Rosalie, drooping her warm eyes behind -long lashes, and smiling seductively.</p> - -<p>"Like an enchanted poppy tossing in the wind. Don't try to practise -your blandishments on me, you little siren. Run along to your social, -and be good girls, and don't you flirt, Miss Rosalie, or you'll have to -go to an extra prayer-meeting next week."</p> - -<p>Catching a hand of each, with Zee and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>Treasure shouting in the rear, -he ran down the steps with them and out the stone walk to the motor, -whirring impatiently. Then the car rolled away, and the girls sauntered -back to the house, their arms around their father.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie is going to have the time of her life, dadsy," said Zee -wisely. "You mark my words. She wasn't practising those eyes on you for -nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Zee, give me a rest," he cried, laughing. "Rosalie has naughty -eyes, I know, but there is a lot of regular sense behind those curly -lashes."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie isn't going to let folks know it, though, unless she has to," -said Zee, and the subject was closed.</p> - -<p>But Doris soon realized that charming Mrs. Andrieson was no efficient -chaperon for a butterfly like Rosalie. For as she led the girls into -the dressing-room at the club house, she said lightly:</p> - -<p>"Now toss the manse to the winds, my dears, and frolic like the regular -buds you ought to be."</p> - -<p>"I am going to," chirped Rosalie. "I am going to frivol just as hard as -ever I can."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<p>She asserted her independence without delay. "I can not go down there -among all those evening gowns looking like this," she said. "Here, Mrs. -Andrieson, can't we tuck these shoulder bands back a little?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure we can," agreed the chaperon, and laughing excitedly, she -folded back the soft lace from Rosalie's pretty shoulders.</p> - -<p>"What a lovely throat you have, Rosalie. Can't we tuck it under a -little more? That shoulder is too beautiful to waste."</p> - -<p>"That is plenty, thanks," cried Rosalie, laughing nervously. "If it is -too terribly awful, I won't do it, Doris," she said, looking directly -at her sister.</p> - -<p>Doris returned the gaze with honest searching eyes. "It isn't too -terribly bad, Rosalie. And it does look lovely—and lots of our girls -wear them much lower even at the socials—but father—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, father would never know the difference. An inch or so of skin is -nothing to us preachers, you know."</p> - -<p>It was a lovely evening, in spite of Rosalie's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> naughtiness. Doris -was fascinated as she watched the lightly moving figures swaying so -rhythmically when the music said sway, and though she so many times had -to say, "I am sorry, thank you, I do not dance," she was never left -alone, and the hours were delightfully frittered with one and another -of the men—not Christian Endeavor men, who had to talk of church -things when they talked with members of the manse—but regular men, who -went places, and did things, and had their names in the paper—regular -men who talked of things that interested them. And of course that would -interest Doris, who all her life had been in training for interest in -others' lives.</p> - -<p>Rosalie, after two or three painful refusals, clenched her slim white -hands and ran to Doris.</p> - -<p>"General," she whispered hurriedly, "you may shoot me at sunrise if you -like, but I tell you right now that I am going to dance, dance, dance -the very toes off my slippers. Yes, sir; I am. And it will be worth a -good big punishment. To stand here like a mummy and say, 'I can't'—it -is more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> than flesh and blood can stand—my flesh and blood, anyhow."</p> - -<p>Doris was nothing if not honest, and she had to admit that Rosalie -did seem almost predestined for that one-two-three-skippity-skip-skip -business! But the members— Oh, of course, the members were doing it -themselves, and Doris could see a deacon drinking something that— Well, -Doris knew they never served it at the Endeavor socials—but things -were so different with us preachers, so very different. And it would -hurt father, that was the worst of it, and he was such a good dear -old thing— But Doris had to sympathize with Rosalie a little. Was it -possible that Providence might have erred a tiny bit in putting such -loveliness and such naughtiness and such adorable sweetness into the -gentle environs of a manse?</p> - -<p>So intent was Doris upon the graceful figure of her winsome Problem -that she did not see the man who had stopped at her side and was -looking down with quizzical laughing eyes into her anxious face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My, such a lot of trouble," he said at last, and Doris looked up -astonished.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon—"</p> - -<p>"No occasion in the world. I was laughing at you, so I must do the -apologizing. But I feel justified in laughing at you. This isn't any -place to worry. This is a party. Is your sweetheart dancing too often -and too tenderly with your lovely friend?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't any sweetheart," she said, laughing gaily at the notion. "It -is my sister I am watching. She is such a nice, naughty little thing."</p> - -<p>She pointed Rosalie out to him, not without pride, and flushed with -pleasure when he commented warmly on her grace and beauty.</p> - -<p>"And how beautifully she dances."</p> - -<p>"Yes, she does, the little sinner. And a grand time we'll have in the -morning, fixing things up with father."</p> - -<p>"Doesn't he allow you to dance?"</p> - -<p>"He allows us to do anything," said Doris with loyal dignity. "But we -do not do it. We are preachers."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What, all of you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, just father, but the rest of us back him up, you know."</p> - -<p>"Well, since the naughty sister has involved the family in disgrace, -why don't you support her, and have a good time yourself?"</p> - -<p>"I am having a perfectly wonderful time, thank you, but I haven't -Rosalie's feet and eyes. I do not know how to dance, and I do not care -to learn. Rosalie gets those things by instinct, but I have none. She -is the butterfly of the manse, and one is plenty." Then looking into -his face gravely, she said, "I am different. Rosalie is always running -into excitement and adventure. I never did in my life. I went clear -through college, and was never even thrilled. Rosalie has thrills a -dozen times a day. Of course, I was busy. We had Miss Carlton, but I -did most of the work, and there was the church, and I studied harder -than Rosalie does—I had to. She gets her lessons by instinct, too, I -guess."</p> - -<p>"Then very plainly now is your time for play. If excitement does not -come to you, go after it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> Look for your thrills. If you do, you will -find them. If you do not stumble into romance, as your sister does, go -and find it for yourself."</p> - -<p>She laughed brightly at that. "I do not know where to look. And if I -ran into it, very likely I should pass it by unrecognized. Rosalie says -men are the best thrillers, but they do not thrill me. She says I am -too sensible—sense and mystery go in opposite directions and never -look back." She was studying him curiously. "I beg your pardon, but I -do not recall your name. It is very stupid of me—"</p> - -<p>"Not at all. You met so many when you first came in. It is quite -natural that you should forget a few."</p> - -<p>Doris thought it was not natural to forget those kind quizzical eyes, -and that kind teasing voice, but she did not say so. Instead she -waited. No information was forthcoming.</p> - -<p>She laughed at him, wonderingly. "But I still do not know your name."</p> - -<p>"No? Then here is a bit of mystery for you. Who am I? Whence do I come? -Why am I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> here? I am a stranger, but you will see me again."</p> - -<p>"You must be one of the new school-teachers or a professor in the -college," she ventured, quite tingling with the bit of novelty new to -her.</p> - -<p>"Yes? Well, I am going to run away now and leave you to your -chaperoning. But you must not forget me, little morning-glory."</p> - -<p>"Why, my father called me that just before I left the house."</p> - -<p>"There you see, I am a wizard. I can read your inmost thoughts. I—"</p> - -<p>"I hope not," said Doris quickly.</p> - -<p>"Come and have an ice with me before I go." He led her through a quiet -hallway to a corner of the wide porch, and brought ices for her, and -cake. And all the time he kept up that boyish teasing chatter, and -always she watched him with curiosity and interest.</p> - -<p>"You are too sensible to be inquisitive. You should say, Here is a -brand from the burning, I must sow a good seed in his heart. And you -should not even ask who, nor what, nor whither."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I know it, but I do. If you were just ordinary, I should not care. But -I can't imagine! You haven't been here a long time, that is certain. Or -I should have seen you before. And if I had, I should remember. You are -not a college student, for you are too old—and too clever."</p> - -<p>"The last is an open insult, and the first is only dimly veiled. Now -walk with me to the gate, Miss Morning-Glory." And at the gate he said, -in a curious, half-sad voice, quite different from the gay bantering -tone that had excited her curiosity, "You are a nice little thing," and -went away.</p> - -<p>Doris looked after him in astonishment. "Well, can you beat that?" she -ejaculated. "Here I go through high school, and through college, and -now when I am a grown-up old woman, and the head of a house, and the -General of a mob—I get myself all mixed up in a funny business like -this. Who in the world can he be? And where in the world did he come -from? But he said I should see him again. I wonder what that bad little -Rosalie is at now?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<p>And though she went immediately back to her sister, she did not forget -the kind gray eyes and the kind gay voice.</p> - -<p>"Did you have a nice time, Doris?" asked Mrs. Andrieson as they were -driving swiftly homeward.</p> - -<p>"Wonderful," said Doris in a voice of ecstatic content.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Andrieson looked at her curiously. "I am afraid I neglected you. I -had such a hard time keeping the boys from quarreling over Rosalie, and -I knew you would not get into mischief."</p> - -<p>Now that it was all over, and the excitement and the thrill were gone, -Rosalie was quivering down to the very tips of her slippers. She had -disgraced the manse, she had messed things up for father—and he was -such a darling— Oh, Doris should not have let her! People would think -it was father's fault—she had not thought of that before, now she -could think of nothing else. "He is a good man," people would say, "but -he can not control his children." And he did work so hard, and was so -patient—and so many times his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> eyes looked tired, and once in a while, -but not often, he would admit that his head ached a bit.</p> - -<p>Doris was sympathetic as always, sympathetic in that unvoiced silence -that understands everything, and hurts not a single particle. She knew -by instinct that Rosalie was sick at heart. So they talked of other -things, and after they got into bed she said tenderly:</p> - -<p>"You were lovely, Rosalie, and I was so proud of you. And though -you were very gay and lively, you were sweet, and had a sort of -Presbyterian dignity about you that made you different."</p> - -<p>Rosalie kissed her quickly, but did not speak.</p> - -<p>When the family met again at the breakfast table Zee was overwhelming -in her interest.</p> - -<p>"How was the party? Did Rosalie flirt? Did all the men fall down at her -feet stone dead?"</p> - -<p>"No, little goose, they didn't. Men don't any more. And Rosalie did not -flirt—exactly—and the party was glorious."</p> - -<p>Doris did not glance at Rosalie, intent on the oatmeal before her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Were you the most beautiful ones there? Was anybody dazzled? Did the -women wear low-necked dresses? Alice Graves says they don't wear any -sleeves at all. Did they dance? Were there any members there? What did -you have to eat?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you little chatter-box! How can I answer so many questions? -Rosalie was dazzling—did you ever dream that I could dazzle anything? -Yes, the ladies did. Yes, they danced. Yes, there were a lot of -members. They had ices, and cakes, and coffee, and things to drink -and—"</p> - -<p>"And father," said Rosalie suddenly, "I pinned down the lace in the -neck of my dress so it would show my shoulders."</p> - -<p>He turned to Doris for confirmation.</p> - -<p>"Just a little, father," she said loyally. "It did not show much, and -Rosalie looked beautiful. I did not object to it."</p> - -<p>"And I danced."</p> - -<p>This was nothing short of a bomb bursting upon them. Even Zee was -silenced. Doris felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> all the pain of motherhood over an erring -first-born. Slowly their father rallied.</p> - -<p>"Did you do it—well? I hope you didn't stumble, or walk on ladies' -dresses, or anything."</p> - -<p>"She did it beautifully," said Doris meekly.</p> - -<p>"Father, I ask you frankly, as man to man, is it wrong to dance?"</p> - -<p>"We have been taught, Rosalie," he began slowly, but she interrupted -him.</p> - -<p>"That isn't fair. You tell me what you think. Why should we leave it to -other men that we don't know? How can they decide? Do they know more -about it than we do? It doesn't condemn it in the Bible. That would be -decisive. But why do these other men take the privilege of deciding -things for the rest of us?"</p> - -<p>"They were wise men, and good. We let great statesmen make our laws, -and we obey. We let great teachers tell us what and how to study that -we may become educated, and we obey them. We let great doctors tell us -how to safeguard our health, and we obey them. We let the leaders in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> -all other professions tell us what to do, where to go, what to eat, -what to wear—and we obey. We might trust the fathers of the church a -little, don't you think?"</p> - -<p>"But it is such a simple thing. And so natural. Just moving to music, -that is all. Soldiers love to march to the drum, children prance to the -music of the band. It is human nature."</p> - -<p>"My dear, if you want to move to music, let Zee here go up and down -town beating a drum for you, and you march your little head off."</p> - -<p>Rosalie joined the laughter. "I like the other kind better. Then you -truly think it is—dangerous, or wrong, or unwise, or something?"</p> - -<p>"I have never danced myself, dear."</p> - -<p>"Stand up here, and let me show you. Now, you go this way. One, two, -three; one, two, three; skippity, skip, skip; one, two, three—and that -is all there is to it."</p> - -<p>"Simple, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Perfectly simple. Now is that wrong?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Rosalie, I tell you frankly, as man to man, if I were young and -had a soft shoulder<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> like yours against my arm, and a pretty face like -yours very close to my lips—I should probably be tempted to kiss it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, father," cried Rosalie, joining the burst of laughter. "You would -not do it, surely."</p> - -<p>"Not in public, no. And I may add, if I had a pretty hand like yours -in mine, I should probably squeeze it, and if I had my arm around your -waist like this—I'd probably squeeze that, too."</p> - -<p>Merry laughter greeted the admission. Then in the silence that followed -he said slowly. "There are many things I could do, Rosalie, that would -do me no harm, and others no harm. But would I get pleasure enough out -of the doing to make it worth my while? Suppose even one person should -say, 'He is a vain and worldly man, I do not wish to go to him in my -trouble.' If one person should say that of me, I would consider I had -paid too big a price for the little amusement. It may be one of the -things we give in return for the badge of the ministry, my dear—I, -for one, am willing to give it. It is the one big talent of our -profession—the talent of giving up."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> - -<p>Rosalie looked at him steadily.</p> - -<p>"And I believe that any one who is not willing to exercise that talent -does not fit into a manse."</p> - -<p>Rosalie swallowed hard. "I—I do fit, father—I want to. I—I could -never be happy any place in the world—outside the manse." Then she -added brightly, "So I must never dance any more?"</p> - -<p>"Ask the General," he hedged quickly. "She is the head of the family."</p> - -<p>"Well, General, speak up, how about it?"</p> - -<p>"What a naughty Problem you are," said the General tenderly. "Well, -then, if it is up to me, I say this: Father has put it to you squarely. -And I know this, Rosalie, that when anything is put squarely on your -own shoulders, you straighten up and carry it without flinching. You -are old enough to solve your own troubles. This is yours—find the -answer for yourself."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you bad General," cried Rosalie, laughing. "Now I can not blame -it on any one but myself, and I did so want to sympathize with myself, -and say, 'I can dance wonderfully, but they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> won't let me.' Oh, well, -I should worry. And, General, by the way, I may as well confess -that I was jealous of you last night. You were so different, and so -remote—every one had to go to you, away from the whirl, back into your -corner where you stood serene. I kept thinking what a nice manse type -you are, always distinct, always different, and sweeter than anything. -So I had already decided—I just wanted to find out what you would say."</p> - -<p>Then Rosalie was gone in a flash, chasing Zee out into the garden for a -merry frolic.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III</span> <span class="smaller">THE IMP</span></h2> - -<p>"Why, Zee, however did you happen to get here ahead of time?" demanded -Doris, glancing up from the potatoes she was watching so closely, -for potatoes have a most annoying way of burning if you leave them a -minute. It had taken Doris a long time to learn that.</p> - -<p>"Um, yes, I am a little early, I guess," said Zee, in a still small -voice. She busied herself about the table without reminder from her -sister, an unwonted procedure for the Imp, but Doris was too concerned -with the meal to pay much heed.</p> - -<p>Rosalie and Treasure came in together a few moments later, and Zee was -sent to call their father to the table.</p> - -<p>"And don't dawdle, Babe, for things are piping hot, and we must allow -three minutes for the blessing, you know."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> - -<p>Zee's appetite, usually above reproach, was negligible that day, and -her gay voice, always so persistent in conversation, was quite subdued. -But when the meal was over she lifted modest eyes to her father's face.</p> - -<p>"I hope you aren't very exceptionally busy to-day, father," she began -ingratiatingly.</p> - -<p>"I am. I have Davison's funeral to-morrow—and it is not easy to -conduct the funeral services of a bad man in a way that will afford -comfort to his mourning relatives."</p> - -<p>"I knew you would have a hard time of it, father," said Doris -sympathetically. "I was hoping they would get some one else— The -Methodist minister is new here, and doesn't know Davison as we did."</p> - -<p>"One good thing about him, father," said Rosalie, "he never killed any -one that we know of. You can come down strong on that, and sort of -glide over everything else we know about him."</p> - -<p>"I suppose one should come out flat-footed and hold him up as a model -to other people who won't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> keep to the straight and narrow," said Doris -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps. But a kind Providence has made it unnecessary for us to -judge, you must remember."</p> - -<p>"We can have our opinions, like other people, but we must not air them -in the pulpit," said Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"But whatever will you say, father? He was everything a good -Presbyterian is not, and—"</p> - -<p>"Doctor Burgess used to say that death blots out all evil," said -Rosalie helpfully. "Can't you play that up?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman smiled at their eagerness to be of help. "I shall just -speak of the rest and sweetness of death after a life of turmoil and -confusion, and shall emphasize very strongly how blessed it is that -the soul goes direct to the presence of God, who knows all the secret -motives hidden from human eyes."</p> - -<p>"That is downright genius," approved Doris.</p> - -<p>"Pretty slick, I call it," smiled Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"Will you be busy the whole afternoon, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>father?" asked Zee, returning -to the original subject.</p> - -<p>"Did you want something?" He turned and looked at her, and from her -sober face he caught the underlying need. "I always have time for my -girls, you know. What can I do for you?"</p> - -<p>"I am sorry but I am in bad at school again."</p> - -<p>"Again," repeated Rosalie. "Don't you mean still?"</p> - -<p>"Miss Hodges wants you to come with me—that is, she says I can not -come back until you do. She is going to ask you to give a sort of -pledge of good behavior for me, and you can't do it, for I am sure to -break over once in a while. So there you are. Don't you think Doris -could teach me at home this year?"</p> - -<p>"But what in the world did you do, dear?" demanded Doris.</p> - -<p>"Well, you will be horrified, of course, Doris—but it wasn't as bad -as it sounds. I did not feel well to begin with, and things went wrong -from the first. Walter Dwight had some candy, and he passed it to me, -and I was eating it—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - -<p>"In school?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. And Miss Hodges saw me and told me to go to the window and throw -it out—a very bad and unsanitary thing, throwing candy all over the -play-grounds, but Miss Hodges makes us do it—and so I went to the -window and looked out—and—I stood there a minute or so looking around -to see what was going on in the playground, and I saw a robin sitting -in the big maple, and I squinted my eye up at him, and aimed with the -candy, and shot it at him."</p> - -<p>Zee looked up sadly, and then lowered her eyes again. "Everybody -laughed, and Miss Hodges was not at all pleased. She said I was a -little nuisance."</p> - -<p>A vague flickering smile passed from face to face around the table.</p> - -<p>"What else?"</p> - -<p>"She sent me into the science room to sit by myself half an hour and -think. Professor was not there."</p> - -<p>"What did you do?"</p> - -<p>"I sat there."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I kept on sitting there, and it was awfully monotonous. You -know we have a skeleton in the physiology department now—I told you, -didn't I? It was stuck up on the side of the wall on long hooks. And -Professor's big amber glasses were on the desk—the girls say he wears -them for style—so I put them on the skeleton. It looked awfully funny. -And then Satan must have tempted me, for I did a terrible thing."</p> - -<p>A long sigh went up from the table.</p> - -<p>"The teachers' cloak-room opens from the science room."</p> - -<p>"I see it all," said Doris solemnly.</p> - -<p>"Go on, Zee. I don't get you, yet."</p> - -<p>"The teachers' wraps were in the cloak-room. So I got Miss Hodges' hat -and put it on the skeleton, and it looked so comical you would have -laughed." A sad reminiscent smile flashed over the subdued but always -impish features. "So I put her coat on too—it almost made me shiver to -touch the thing, though Professor says it is very scientific, and he -disinfected it with something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> when they got it. And I bent up its arm, -and stuck her gloves in its fingers, and put her bag over the arm, and -it looked for all the world like Miss Hodges in a grouch, and she is -grouchy most of the time."</p> - -<p>"Yes?"</p> - -<p>"But I did not hear the recitation bell ring, and the door opened and -in came the physical geography class and Miss Hodges. She was not at -all pleased. So she invited father to come and talk me over with her."</p> - -<p>"All right, I will go," said Mr. Artman quietly.</p> - -<p>Zee sighed heavily. "I hope you understand, father, that I know it was -a perfectly repre—repre—"</p> - -<p>"—hensible," prompted Treasure softly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, reprehensible thing to do, and I am fearfully ashamed of it. And -it makes me sick to think I had to bother you when you are busy. But -Miss Hodges need not have been so huffy about it. She's got a little -more flesh, but her disposition isn't half as good as a skeleton's."</p> - -<p>"Zee, you must not speak disrespectfully and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> flippantly of your -teachers. It is not right, and it is not kind. If Miss Hodges has a -room full of children as full of mischief as you are, it is no wonder -she is sometimes impatient and nervous."</p> - -<p>Zee subsided.</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman rose from the table rather wearily and Zee brought his hat -for him humbly.</p> - -<p>"I hope you believe that I am sorry, father," she said as they set out -together.</p> - -<p>"I think you are sorry to bother me, but I must admit that I do not -think you are sorry you annoyed Miss Hodges."</p> - -<p>"I do think it was rather a good joke on her," admitted Zee.</p> - -<p>"Miss Hodges is doing one good and noble thing. She is working hard, -long hours and very wearily to earn money for herself and her mother -and that little nephew who lives with them. She has to labor for -her very bread, and for theirs also. Any one who makes life harder -than need be for those who must toil for their existence is—excuse -me, dear—but any one who does that is either needlessly cruel or -criminally <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>thoughtless. Whether she is the type of woman you like, -whether she appeals to you personally or not—that is nothing. The fact -remains that she is working for her life—and I hate to think it is my -little girl making things hard for her."</p> - -<p>Zee marched along beside him sturdily, without speaking for a while. -Her dark merry eyes were clouded. Her rosy lips were a straight scarlet -line. Two blocks, three blocks, they traversed in silence. Then she -slipped little clinging fingers into his hand, and said softly:</p> - -<p>"Father, I am sorry now—and I won't ever, any more. I have tried to -tease her, and I like to make the other kids laugh. But I never thought -of it the way you told me. Will you try not to be ashamed of me?"</p> - -<p>His hand closed over hers companionably.</p> - -<p>"And, father, you need not believe me to-day—that I am sorry. Wait and -I will prove it to you. For don't you think I see that we preachers -have to make things easier for folks, instead of harder?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I do believe you, of course, Baby," he said, smiling down on the sober -face.</p> - -<p>Even he could not repress a smile when Miss Hodges came in wearing her -coat and hat, with the bag in the crook of her arm—for in his mind, -schooled to imaginative flights by a long life with merry daughters—he -could see the scientific skeleton similarly garbed.</p> - -<p>Miss Hodges' face was grave, but not unfriendly.</p> - -<p>"I think Zee can fix this up with you herself, Miss Hodges," he said, -holding her hand warmly in his. "I need not say how much I regret -it—but Zee and I have been talking together—and I want her to speak -for herself."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry this time, truly—not just for playing pranks, for somehow -that never seems really bad to me—it must be the original sin, I -suppose. But I am sorry that I have just openly tried to make things -mean and hateful for you. I never thought of it that way before. I -thought it was sort of your job to put up with the mischief. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> can't -promise to be an angel like Treasure, for I was not born like that. -But I am going to try very hard not to annoy you, and I'd like to be -friends, if you don't mind."</p> - -<p>Thinking it over afterward, Father Artman felt that Zee had left many -loopholes for future escapades, but her voice had been sincere, and her -eyes honest, and Miss Hodges had accepted the apology promptly. And -knowing his girls, Mr. Artman felt confident that Zee's loyalty to the -manse would keep her from open disgrace again.</p> - -<p>"Something just has to be done about that Zee," Rosalie said to -Doris. "And it certainly is up to you, General. Why, she gets more -scatter-brained and harum-scarum every day. Can't you steady her up a -little?"</p> - -<p>"How? It is all right to say it is up to me—but who can take a puff of -thistledown like Zee and steady it? She does not grow that way."</p> - -<p>"Well, this will hold her down for a week or so, but you'd better think -up some way of handling her. Something has to be done, and right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> away, -too. Why, she is fourteen, and in high school. I was practically a -young lady when I was in high school."</p> - -<p>"You were practically a young lady when you were in kindergarten," said -Doris gaily. "My, what pretty airs you did put on. You always would -carry the finest handkerchiefs, and how you would scheme to get a fresh -ribbon oftener than anybody else."</p> - -<p>It did seem that so severe a lesson as this should be sufficient even -for the Imp. Yet the very next morning Doris found herself involved -once more. Going to the girls' closet on an errand, she was surprised -to find Zee's school shoes, sensible, comfortable, roomy shoes of -enduring calf-skin. The "Sunday shoes," of nice shiny patent leather, -were not in sight. Yet Zee had gone to school.</p> - -<p>"She is almost as problematic as Rosalie herself," said Doris.</p> - -<p>She knew Zee's passion for the Sunday shoes, and that the calf-skin -ones were abhorred by her fastidious young soul. But that she would -openly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> revolt and toss all orders to the winds—Doris grieved over -it heavily. But she would not take this to father, poor soul, he had -trouble enough with her yesterday, and Davison's funeral to-day was -grief enough.</p> - -<p>When Zee came into the dining-room at noon she wore the calf-skin -boots. Doris could hardly believe her eyes. Yet there they were—and a -serene smile on Zee's merry face.</p> - -<p>"Miss Hodges and I got along like cooing doves this morning," she -announced triumphantly. "She said I had my lesson perfectly, and I said -her new hat was very becoming."</p> - -<p>When the girls came to the kitchen to say good-by to Doris before -starting back to school, she left her work and followed them to -the front door. Zee still wore the heavy shoes, but she hung about -impatiently, plainly waiting till Doris should return to her work. At -last, depressed in attitude, the two girls started away, and Doris -disappeared. Just a moment later came the sound of skipping running -steps, and Zee slipped in and darted for the stairs.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Zee!"</p> - -<p>Zee halted abruptly, one foot poised for the step.</p> - -<p>"Were you going up to change your shoes?"</p> - -<p>"Y—yes."</p> - -<p>"Don't you know you are not allowed to wear your Sunday shoes to -school?"</p> - -<p>"Y—yes."</p> - -<p>"Then why, please?"</p> - -<p>"Because I hate calf-skin shoes, I hate 'em, I hate 'em. Big ugly -clumsy clod-hoppery stogies! I think they are abominable. I'll bet they -were the thorn in the flesh Peter talked about—or was it Paul? Anyhow, -I can't think of any worse kind of a thorn. I think they are downright -wicked. And I won't wear them—unless I have to," she added hastily, -noting the military firmness in the General's face.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry, Zee, since you hate them so terribly. They are not pretty, -I know. But if you wear the Sunday ones to school, they wear out so -fast, and they are so expensive. And, oh, my dearest, we could never -afford it on father's <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>salary, you know that. But I will compromise -with you, for I don't like to make you wear things you despise. If you -will wear these out, when they are gone, your next pair of school shoes -shall be, not patent leather, but much finer and softer than these—oh, -much finer."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is just ducky of you, General," said Zee gratefully. "But -mayn't I wear the others—just this afternoon?"</p> - -<p>"No, absolutely not. You were very deceitful and disobedient, slipping -in to change them on the sly, that way, and you shall not wear the -others by any means."</p> - -<p>But the next morning, as Doris stood at the window watching the girls -as they walked away, she noted a curious bulging under the side of -Zee's sweater.</p> - -<p>What could it be, she wondered? Then like a flash, she ran up the -stairs. The Sunday shoes were gone—also the calf-skin ones. Grimly she -waited until Zee came home.</p> - -<p>"Zee," she began softly, so father might not overhear, poor father, -having so much trouble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> with bad people who would die and require -funeral services, and good people who would live and never go to -church—certainly he should not be bothered with Zee's shoe situation.</p> - -<p>"Did you wear your calf-skin shoes to school this morning?"</p> - -<p>"Y—yes, I wore them to school," said Zee with an almost imperceptible -emphasis on the "to."</p> - -<p>"Did you take the Sunday ones with you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Doris, I can't bear those old stogies, and so I just wore them -to school, and then I changed them in the cloak-room, and you can see -yourself it wouldn't wear them out any—the good ones, I mean—just -wearing them inside the school-room and not walking in them."</p> - -<p>"But you disobeyed."</p> - -<p>"I know it," said Zee cheerfully.</p> - -<p>"And you tried to deceive me."</p> - -<p>"I know it."</p> - -<p>"Now I have to punish you."</p> - -<p>"All right, General, but let me tell you in advance that whenever I can -sneak those Sunday<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> shoes to school, I am going to. So you'd better -make it a good punishment while you are at it, so you won't have to do -it over and over."</p> - -<p>Doris looked at her sister soberly, and her heart swelled with pity, -for the sentence she was about to pronounce was dire indeed.</p> - -<p>She took the fine shoes from Zee. "This is the punishment. You can -not wear the fine shoes again any place for six weeks—not to church, -nor any place—just the stogies, everywhere you go. And you shall not -have these again at all until you promise on your word of honor that -you will not wear them without permission. I know you will not break a -solemn promise."</p> - -<p>Zee's face paled with the solemnity of it. "Oh, Doris!"</p> - -<p>"You can talk it over with father if you like. I wanted to keep him -from worry, but go to him if you wish."</p> - -<p>"Nothing doing," said Zee flatly. "He has that way of looking that -makes you so ashamed of yourself. I think it is an imposition -for fathers to look like that, that's what I think. Tell me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> one -thing—does the promise still hold good about the new shoes—that they -are to be finer and softer than these when they are worn out?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—when these are worn out."</p> - -<p>"These will last a year, I know."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Baby, you know we preachers can't afford to throw away perfectly -good shoes like these."</p> - -<p>"Can't we give 'em to the heathen? They are awfully good shoes for the -heathen, Doris. Why, they would last forever, and keep the snakes off, -and— Shoes like that were just intended for heathen."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid we can't, Zee. Sometimes I think there is quite a lot in -common between the heathens and us preachers—and this is another bond -of sympathy. So we will stick to the shoes ourselves."</p> - -<p>Zee looked very sad indeed as the shiny shoes were taken up-stairs and -carefully locked in an old trunk. Then sudden determination dawned in -her dark bright face.</p> - -<p>She raced into the yard, and began a desperate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> course of exercise, -jumping, running, clambering up and down. Gentle Treasure, trailing her -devotedly, was put to woeful plights. And Doris, looking out, could -hardly believe her eyes when she saw the violent performance of lazy -little Zee. Then came revelation.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry for you, Treasure," panted Zee, pausing a moment. "But I -am going to run and jump and climb and jar the life out of these old -stogies."</p> - -<p>For a moment Doris hesitated. Then she turned resolutely and closed the -window.</p> - -<p>"Providence had to overlook quite a little, even in the saints in the -Bible," she said to herself excusingly. "I guess I can overlook a few -things myself. Isn't it strange," she said to Rosalie, "that somehow -the naughtier folks act the sweeter they seem?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know what you are talking about," laughed Rosalie. "But if you -mean me, I quite agree with you."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV</span> <span class="smaller">THE BLESSING</span></h2> - -<p>Oh, day of rest and gladness!</p> - -<p>There was one hour in the week when Doris felt she could lean back and -sigh aloud in relief and contentment, with every member of her little -family before her and mischief out of the question—the hour of the -Sabbath morning worship. Father was in the pulpit, Rosalie was at her -side in the choir loft—and Rosalie in the choir loft was a changed -being, for some inner, inherent sense of fineness restrained the -naughty fairies in her witching eyes for that one hour only. And down -in the eighth pew to the right sat Treasure and Zee, very respectable, -very reverent, very austere.</p> - -<p>Rosalie never missed one word of her father's discourses, but Doris, -strangely enough, once in a while went wandering. It was so blissful to -see the brood safe sheltered before her eyes. It really<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> was the only -time when she could think with any degree of consistency or comfort, -without fear of violent and climactic interruption.</p> - -<p>But one morning, just as she was getting pleasantly relaxed, and father -was nicely started in Point One—she opened her eyes wide, and leaned -forward. There in the ninth pew next to the aisle—Deacon Fenton's -pew, and how annoyed he would be when he arrived in the middle of -Point Two—right there, as sure as you're born, sat that aggravating, -infuriating, mysterious Mr. Wizard that nobody knew.</p> - -<p>His eyes were upon her, and though his face remained properly grave -and in keeping with a Presbyterian service, gay greeting flashed from -his eyes to her, and Doris— Well, it was more than human frailty -could stand. She smiled, and then she blushed, and could not keep -her eyes away from that serene provoking face, though she did try -desperately and was ashamed of herself all the time. Father was doing -splendidly—she was subconsciously aware of that, and was so proud of -him. It had never before been quite so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> imperatively necessary that -he "do well." Rosalie looked very sweet and dignified, altogether in -keeping with a manse and a church, and not a bit frivolous as she had -at the Country Club da—party—that was a comfort. She was sorry she -could not point out Treasure and Zee to him also, they did look so -spiritual and fine in their Sunday clothes—it was really once in a -lifetime to designate them as manse material. He seemed to be paying -close attention to father— Whoever in the world could he be? And there -came Deacon Fenton, sure enough—with his usual prejudice against the -first point—and he got very red in the face, but the Exasperating -Thing smiled pleasantly and shoved along in the seat, and settled down -where he could see father when he looked at the pulpit, and could -see Doris when he looked at the choir loft, and—Doris openly and -deliberately nudged her sister.</p> - -<p>The Exasperating Thing lowered his eyes at her reprovingly, but Doris -could not resist.</p> - -<p>"Who is that in Deacon Fenton's pew?" she whispered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<p>Rosalie looked that way unconcernedly—she did not seem to notice how -romantic and curious and compelling he was—and shook her head. Doris -subsided then, but when she came down from the choir loft and found him -waiting for her at the side entrance, she was glad. She held out her -hand.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie did not know you either," she said. "I asked her. Will you -come and meet father?"</p> - -<p>"Sorry, but not to-day. It would spoil the mystery. Come along with me, -Little Seeker After Thrills, I want to walk home with you. I go your -very way."</p> - -<p>"I usually stay and shake hands with the members, but it will be fun to -slip away for once. Then they will be gladder to see me to-night."</p> - -<p>So they hurried away, and Doris noticed that while many nodded to her, -no one had a word of familiar friendliness for him—so she knew he was -a stranger to all. It seemed odd that he could remain unknown in such a -little town—he must live very quietly and to himself. He could not be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -a teacher, she was sure of that, for teachers, like "we preachers," are -honor bound to make friends.</p> - -<p>"Has the butterfly of the fold been in any new mischief since the -dance?"</p> - -<p>"Call it a party. We preachers do not go to dances. No, indeed, she -hasn't. Didn't you notice how sensible she looked this morning? She is -really very good, if she only takes time to think. She decided of her -own accord and free will not to dance any more at all."</p> - -<p>"Then since it was her own free will, I suppose you feel it was -predestined, don't you?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," said Doris politely, for she never could keep that -free-will-predestination puzzle quite straight in her mind—though she -was very sure father was right about it.</p> - -<p>"And what have you been doing since that night?"</p> - -<p>"Washing, and ironing, and cooking, and helping the girls with their -lessons, and scolding father, and patching. What have you been doing?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I? Oh, I have been haunting."</p> - -<p>"You have been—what? Now you are teasing again. I never knew any one -as grown up as you who teased so much. Do you live in this part of -town?"</p> - -<p>"You know we haunts just live around in the air, and do our ghosting -when the ghosting's good."</p> - -<p>"Oh, let's talk sense. I expected to see you before this."</p> - -<p>"I have seen you frequently."</p> - -<p>"You have! I haven't seen you once, and I have been looking for you."</p> - -<p>"One morning I saw you digging potatoes in the garden of the manse. And -your father stuck his head out the window and scolded you."</p> - -<p>"He doesn't approve of my digging potatoes, but he is so busy all the -time he forgets and so if I wake up early enough I sneak out and do it -to get ahead of him."</p> - -<p>"And one morning I saw you flying down the middle of the road in a -kimono, yelling at the milk man."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We were going to have company for luncheon, and I forgot to leave a -message in the bottle that I wanted cream," explained Doris, flushing.</p> - -<p>"And one morning, very early, I saw you run out-of-doors in a shower, -barefooted, and your hair hanging, and you wore your father's old coat -and hat, I think, and you were gobbling tablecloths off the line."</p> - -<p>"They did not dry, and I left them on the line over night. But the -shower came up, and I had to rush after them."</p> - -<p>"And one morning—"</p> - -<p>"Don't you ever sleep? How does it come that you always see me some -ghastly hour in the morning? Why don't you appear about three in the -afternoon, when I am nicely brushed and have on a fresh dress, and look -like a preacher?"</p> - -<p>"Morning is my own particular time of day. So beware how you venture -out, for you can't escape my eyes."</p> - -<p>"You must be a milk man."</p> - -<p>He only laughed. "Now tell me the truth, have you thought of me once -since the da—party?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, not being a regular sphinx, I have. I have thought of you very -often—you are the funniest thing I ever saw. But somehow I did not -expect to see you at church."</p> - -<p>He joined her laughter.</p> - -<p>"Come in and have dinner with us," she said warmly. "Please do. I am -a wonderful cook. Zee says my mashed potatoes taste almost exactly -like—plum pudding. Would you consider that a compliment?"</p> - -<p>"By all means. But I can not come for dinner to-day. We wizards do not -eat, you know. Be kind now, and get into more morning difficulties so I -may laugh at you, will you?"</p> - -<p>Doris walked into the manse with a very thoughtful air.</p> - -<p>"I have always told Rosalie it was silly to be constantly finding -mystery in every little thing—but I see now that mystery is more fun -than anything else. The silly old thing—why he must be nearly as old -as father. But how he does laugh! He isn't a minister, that's certain. -And he isn't a doctor, for everybody knows doctors, besides<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> they -always talk shop. And he doesn't look like a worker—I mean a hard -worker— Isn't it ridiculous? What do I care who he is—but it is lots -of fun."</p> - -<p>As they sat at dinner, Rosalie said suddenly, "Oh, father, you must -scold the General. She is getting very worldly. She was flirting with a -stranger in the congregation. She picked out a handsome man, and kept -looking at him, and he smiled at her, and she asked if I knew him right -in the middle of the second point."</p> - -<p>"Could you know him in the second point if you didn't know him anywhere -else?" demanded Zee.</p> - -<p>"There wasn't a handsome man in church except father," declared -Treasure.</p> - -<p>"General, I am astonished," said their father with smiling eyes and -solemn face.</p> - -<p>"Don't you believe her. He wasn't a stranger in the first place, and in -the second I only looked at him once—or twice," she finished feebly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what a story. He was, too, a stranger. Didn't you ask if I knew -him?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I can't remember his name. But I met him at the Country Club -da—party. I talked to him there quite a lot, and—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you dangerous girl! You know, father, these quiet modest -ones—look out! They always make trouble. No wonder you had such a -glorious time—flirting with a stranger."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie," said Doris with intense dignity. "I did not flirt. I just -talked, and we talk to everybody, don't we—we preachers?"</p> - -<p>"But who is he?"</p> - -<p>This, it seemed, only Providence could tell.</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you ask him?"</p> - -<p>Doris hedged quickly. It was all very well to play mystery with -that Aggravating Thing, but she had a strong feeling it would sound -ridiculous to the family, and they were such laughers.</p> - -<p>The day of rest, truly—but always a stormy one for families of -parsonage and manse.</p> - -<p>They had not finished dinner when the superintendent of the -Sunday-school called Mr. Artman to the phone.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Miss Munsing says she will not keep her class any longer," he -protested peevishly. "I want you to talk to her. Why, she is one of -our very best teachers, young and lively, and her girls adore her. She -says she is not capable, or some such nonsense—bright clever girl -like that. You talk to her, will you? She promised to see you this -afternoon."</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman shook his head despairingly as he returned to the table.</p> - -<p>"You women," he said. "You don't know how upsetting you are. I would -have sworn that Miss Munsing was more in harmony with her work than any -teacher in the school, and here she throws up her hands."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean she is giving up the class, father?" asked Treasure -breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"Just that. Says she is not capable, or something."</p> - -<p>"Why, Treasure, isn't she your teacher? And you all love her, don't -you?"</p> - -<p>"Hum, yes," said Treasure thoughtfully.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> "You talk her into it, father. -It would break up the class to lose her."</p> - -<p>"What is the trouble, anyhow? Has anything gone wrong? If there has -been any mix-up, you ought to know it."</p> - -<p>"The girls are just crazy about her, and we have the best record for -attendance in the whole school. I suppose she is giving up the class on -account of me."</p> - -<p>"On account of you!"</p> - -<p>This was unanimously exclamatory. Rosalie was always problematic, and -Zee was a living fount of mischief, even Doris was given to moods -and fancies. But Treasure was the serene untarnished blessing of the -family, always gentle, always friendly, tranquil and undisturbed. -Could Treasure, the sweet, cause agony to any young shepherdess of the -Sunday-school flock? The exclamation was followed by silence, long and -profound.</p> - -<p>"D—on't you like her?" asked Doris at last, in a weak voice.</p> - -<p>"I love her with all my heart."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do you cut up in Sunday-school, Treasure?" asked Zee. "I am surprised. -Miss Conroy has to shake her head at me sometimes—but I certainly am -ashamed of you. I—I didn't think it."</p> - -<p>"Of course I do not cut up in Sunday-school. I am surprised you would -even mention such a thing."</p> - -<p>"Well, go on, Treasure, and tell us," said Rosalie impatiently. "You -are the last person in the world one would suspect of disrupting a -religious organization."</p> - -<p>"Yes, go on and tell it, pet," said her father gently.</p> - -<p>"And talk fast, Treasure. You are so poky. I could tell six volumes -while you get into the introduction."</p> - -<p>"There isn't any introduction to it," said Treasure in her gentle -voice. "You know, father, when you go over the lesson with us on -Saturday night, you bring out a lot of good points that Miss Munsing -does not think of."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Of course, it would not be right for me to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> speak up and tell things -she does not know—it would sound smarty—as if I were trying to show -off. So I just ask questions, and sometimes she does not know the -answers. Then the whole class gets into a discussion, and then I say, -'Maybe it is this way,' and I tell what you have said, and she says, -'Yes, that is it, of course.' And sometimes I think of questions that -nobody has explained, and I ask—and she can't answer. This morning -she got rather red, and looked nervous. But she is a dear thing, and -I don't expect her to know as much as a preacher, of course. And I -hope you will make her keep the class, for we could never get another -teacher like her. I am truly sorry, father, and I will promise never to -ask another question."</p> - -<p>Doris flushed suddenly. "But—she ought to be free to ask questions, -father. Miss Munsing should study the lessons more, and find the -answers."</p> - -<p>"I suppose it is not just pleasant for a teacher to have her scholars -wiser than she," said their father slowly. "I can see how she feels -about it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But she ought to study more," insisted Doris.</p> - -<p>"I shall never ask anything else," declared Treasure. "We can't give up -Miss Munsing. I know the rest would rather have her than some one else -who could answer the whole Bible. I think I prefer her myself."</p> - -<p>"Finish your dinner now, girls; I shall try to think of some way to -manage," said Mr. Artman quietly.</p> - -<p>When Miss Munsing came to the door Doris greeted her cordially. "Father -is waiting for you in the study. Mr. Andrews telephoned that you were -coming."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you think I am just terrible to go back on my job," said -Miss Munsing, lifting troubled eyes to Doris' face.</p> - -<p>"I never think anybody is terrible," said Doris, laughing. "I am too -well acquainted with my own self to sit in judgment on anybody else. -Treasure says the girls will never give you up. Leave it to father. He -will fix you up."</p> - -<p>So Miss Munsing went up-stairs, and Doris and the others waited -impatiently until the front<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> door closed behind her when the interview -was over. Then they trooped eagerly into the hall, waylaying their -father on the stairs.</p> - -<p>"Did you persuade her?"</p> - -<p>"Was I the trouble?" queried Treasure.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you were the trouble sure enough," said Mr. Artman, pinching her -cheek gaily. "She felt the class should have a teacher who knew—and -she said frankly that she did not know. She had thought it quite a -simple matter to teach a class of young girls, using pretty stories to -illustrate plain points—but she said our gentle little Treasure hurt -her conscience to the point of insomnia."</p> - -<p>"Did you tell her I promised—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but Miss Munsing is no quitter. She would not hear of such a -thing. She said it would be bad for you, and bad for the rest, and -worst of all for her. She would not even discuss it."</p> - -<p>"What did you do, father? Of course you thought of something."</p> - -<p>"I suggested what we have been trying to arrange for the last year—a -teachers' study class. We have voted on it a dozen times, but always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -there was an overwhelming majority against it, because their evenings -were so full of other things. And I—although there were a few who -wanted it—I guess I was a quitter myself. I said if the teachers did -not want or need it, I had no time to waste on it."</p> - -<p>"No one could expect you to give up a whole evening for people who were -not interested," cried Doris loyally.</p> - -<p>"Miss Munsing and I picked out Tuesday night, and she and I are going -to have a Teachers' Study Class. The others will be invited and urged -to come. But Miss Munsing will be here, and I will be here—and we are -going to have that class if nobody else ever does show up. It was not -your fault, Treasure, and it was not Miss Munsing's fault, for she -did her best. It was really I to blame, for I should have counted the -evening well spent if it helped even one teacher in her work. Much -obliged, Treasure."</p> - -<p>Then he went up-stairs.</p> - -<p>"What in the world did he mean by 'Much obliged'?" puzzled Treasure. -"It was my fault,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> too, for now it means another evening of hard work -for him, and his evenings were so busy anyhow. And then he says 'Much -obliged.' Preachers are funny, even father."</p> - -<p>Sunday afternoon in the manse was supposed to be comfortably quiet—not -prosy. And for the first hour after the dinner work was finished things -went smoothly indeed. The girls read their Sunday-school papers. Then -Treasure and Zee had a game of Bible Prophets—enlivening it by betting -pennies on the outcome—"Not gambling at all," insisted Zee. "Because -the pennies go into the mission box on the kitchen shelf, no matter who -wins. The only difference is, if you win, you get the credit on the -Lord's account-book, and if I win, I get it."</p> - -<p>As long as Doris did not find out why that afternoon game of Prophets -was one of such intense and absorbing interest to the lively girls, all -went well enough.</p> - -<p>The Sabbath never failed to bring a problem for Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"Oh, General," she cried, dancing away from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> the telephone. "Our little -crowd is going for a long auto ride out to Miriam's for supper—a -nice Sunday supper of bread and jelly and milk and pie—and may I go, -darling General?"</p> - -<p>"But Christian Endeavor—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Bud promised faithfully to bring me back in time for it. The -others are going to spend the evening and sing, and roast marshmallows, -but out of deference to us preachers he promised to have me home by -seven."</p> - -<p>"Ask father," countered Doris.</p> - -<p>"Oh, General dearest, you know father ought not to be bothered on -Sunday afternoon. It wouldn't be right."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, don't ask me. I want you to do whatever you want to, but— -How many are going?"</p> - -<p>"Twelve, I suppose. Three cars full. Bud is going to take me in his -brother's runabout."</p> - -<p>"Twelve. Then it is a regular party."</p> - -<p>"Oh, not really, dearest. It will take an hour to get there, and -then it will be nearly suppertime, and we will have to come right -straight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> home afterward. You know Miriam's people are terribly -religious—not like us preachers, of course, but very particular. One -time they were dancing on Saturday night, and they sent us right home -at midnight—they said there should be no dancing in their house on -Sunday. I was there, but I did not dance." Rosalie laughed a little. -"So the next Saturday night when we were there, Miriam's Aunt Gertrude -turned the clock back an hour, to give us a little more time."</p> - -<p>"There would not be any dancing then, that is one thing," said Doris -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Well," admitted Rosalie honestly but reluctantly, "Miriam's parents -are out of town, and Aunt Gertrude is the chaperon to-day."</p> - -<p>Doris looked at her in exasperation. "You bad girl, you fooled me on -purpose. Run up and ask father, dear, won't you? It will only take a -minute, and he won't mind. I can't settle it for you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris, it would be mean," protested Rosalie conscientiously.</p> - -<p>"Very well, then, Miss Rosalie, decide for yourself. I think you get -along better on your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> own responsibility anyhow. Puzzle it out for -yourself, go or not, just as you think best."</p> - -<p>"Then I shall go," said Rosalie positively, and she went into the hall -for her hat. "You think it is quite all right for me to go then, Doris?"</p> - -<p>"I do not think one single thing about it."</p> - -<p>"But you will not object if I go?"</p> - -<p>"I shall not even mention it."</p> - -<p>"Everybody else goes, and they are just as good as we are—better than -Zee and I."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you bad General, you make me so cross," cried Rosalie, tossing -her hat to the floor. "Why didn't you just say I couldn't go—I never -disobey you, do I? Or why didn't you say I could go, then if my -conscience hurt me I could say it was your fault. Now you have spoiled -the whole thing!"</p> - -<p>Rosalie ran to the telephone and called a number in a voice unruffled -and sweet.</p> - -<p>"I can not go, Bud. It is really quite a party, you know, and Sunday is -the Sabbath for us preachers. It was just dear of you to bother with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> -me—I should think you must be tired of trying to be nice to a cranky -old preachy crowd."</p> - -<p>Then she listened a moment while he voiced fervent denials.</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is nice of you, Bud, and I know I should have loved it, but -you see how it is, don't you?"</p> - -<p>A moment later she gave a gleeful little cry, "Oh, truly, Bud, would -you enjoy that? I am sure it will be all right—wait a minute, till I -ask Doris. Oh, Doris, he says he does not care to go, and his brother -has given him the runabout for the rest of the day, and he wants me to -go for a quiet little drive with him, and— Is that all right? Oh, you -darling General!"</p> - -<p>"Of course it is all right, and ask him to come to supper here, -Rosalie, and go to Endeavor with us."</p> - -<p>So Rosalie gurgled rapturously into the transmitter and received a -hearty acceptance, and then flung her arms around her smiling sister.</p> - -<p>"Oh, General, I am so glad we decided it that way. I know they would -dance—a little—I would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> not, of course—but I do love to drive, and -I don't get a chance very often, and Bud is always so good to me. Will -you have something a little bit kind of extra nice for supper?" And -Rosalie danced off up the stairs, singing merrily.</p> - -<p>Doris smiled and sighed in relief. "That settles Rosalie for this -afternoon. The other girls will be up and going in a minute, I suppose, -the game must be nearly over. But it is a whole lot to have Rosalie -fixed."</p> - -<p>At that moment Treasure picked up the cards and began putting them into -the box, and Zee walked slowly but proudly to the kitchen. A second -later Doris heard the tinkling of pennies, and Zee came back into the -room.</p> - -<p>"What were you doing, Babe?"</p> - -<p>"Putting some pennies in the mission box," came the even answer.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do now, Doris? We don't want to play any more."</p> - -<p>"Haven't you something to read?"</p> - -<p>"We've read everything in the house a dozen times. May we go over to -Grahams'?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, not to-day, dear, they are so noisy. Wait until to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"May we make some candy, Doris? And pop corn?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Zee, not on Sunday. Why don't you take a walk?"</p> - -<p>"Too hot," objected Treasure. "Let's go and make father tell us a -story."</p> - -<p>"You wouldn't bother him to-day, surely. He has to go to Waltons' at -three for the wedding."</p> - -<p>"Why can't we go to the wedding with him? We are very good at weddings."</p> - -<p>"Not this time, dear. We weren't invited. It is just a quiet wedding on -the rush—they start east this afternoon, you know."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe in weddings on the rush—they ought to take their time -and have old shoes and rice and refreshments," insisted Zee stubbornly.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do then, Doris? You ought to think of something."</p> - -<p>Doris racked her brain. She had to rack her brain every Sunday -afternoon, but somehow she could not keep a supply of ideas in storage.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why don't you go to the meadow and pick some goldenrod?" she suggested -finally. "Bud is coming to tea with Rosalie, and think how it will -please her."</p> - -<p>Treasure and Zee looked at each other, and as neither could think of a -plausible objection, they acted upon the plan.</p> - -<p>When they were gone, Doris got up, luxuriously, and lifted her arms -high above her head.</p> - -<p>"Oh, day of rest," she breathed fervently, and wandered comfortably -through the house and into the yard. Sunday was a blissful day, after -all.</p> - -<p>Later in the afternoon she arranged the table attractively for tea, -and made a pile of dainty sandwiches. And it was in the midst of this -occupation that she was interrupted by the jingling of the telephone.</p> - -<p>"Is this Miss Artman? Miss Doris— Do you recognize my voice?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mr. Wizard, I wish I didn't. Then you would have to tell me."</p> - -<p>He laughed at that, and his laugh was as pleasantly aggravating by -telephone as in person.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<p>"However did you come to call me up?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Sad news, my friend, sad news. Two young girls claiming to belong to -you are under arrest out here on a charge of trespassing."</p> - -<p>Doris trembled so she nearly dropped the receiver.</p> - -<p>"Arrest?" she faltered.</p> - -<p>"Well, practically. You see there is a big sign up which says, 'No -trespassing,' and along came two young girls walking beside the creek, -picking flowers, and shooing birds, and chasing rabbits, as natural -as life. Out jumps a wild and angry game-keeper—so-called. He says, -'Didn't you see that sign, "No Trespassing"?' The little dark one -began to cry, but the other one said, 'We are not trespassing, we are -picking flowers.' 'They are my personal flowers,' said the game-keeper. -'Nothing of the kind, they are God's, you didn't even plant them, for -they are wild.' Then I arrive, like mercury on the wings of the wind, -and the dark one was still weeping—"</p> - -<p>"Zee doesn't cry," wailed Doris.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<p>"She does cry. She not only cries, she bellows. But the slender, white -one insisted they were not trespassing because they are preachers and -preachers do not trespass. What shall I do with them?"</p> - -<p>"I do not know," faltered Doris. "Father is at a wedding, and— Who is -the cross old bear, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Search me," he said blithely. "I think maybe I can bribe him off. -At present the girls are seated comfortably on a fallen tree eating -apples, the baby has quit bellowing, and the game-keeper is gathering -some late roses for them. Holding them in sweet confinement until you -guarantee that they are yours. I guess I can fix it up with the old -man. Don't worry then, I shall give it my personal attention, and see -that your erring and trespassing—for they were trespassing beyond a -doubt, manse to the contrary notwithstanding—sisters are restored -to the shelter of the fold. Don't worry. Aren't you glad you have a -mysterious wizard flitting about to shield your—your—your—I can not -think of a word to do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> them justice— Anyhow, to keep your sanctified -but erring family out of jail?"</p> - -<p>Then he hung up the receiver before Doris could even thank him.</p> - -<p>How agonizingly she waited—and how calmly and confidently they came at -last—the calloused little wretches—Zee bearing a bountiful armful of -goldenrod and crimson roses, and Treasure laden with luscious fruit.</p> - -<p>"Well, for goodness' sake," exclaimed Zee when she saw Doris, white -and trembling. "Did you think they could really arrest us—preachers? -Impossible! Of course the old reprobate—I use it scripturally, so -don't get excited—of course he scared me right at first, I wept a -little, very effectively, and Treasure put her arm around me and said -she wouldn't let him hurt me. He was very cross. We call him the -Corduroy Crab, for short—and because we don't know anything else to -call him."</p> - -<p>"You might know we would not let them arrest us, Doris," said Treasure -gently. "You should not have worried."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Of course, he was simply foaming at the mouth. He was going to march -us home in disgrace, to report us. But Treasure sat right down, and -said we would come and report ourselves, but we would not be marched -through town in disgrace. Treasure came out like a brick; I was -surprised at her."</p> - -<p>"What were <i>you</i> doing all the time, Miss Zee?"</p> - -<p>"Well," confessed Zee reluctantly, "I was behind Treasure most of the -time. And then the other fellow—I wonder who in the world he was?"</p> - -<p>"He made me angrier than the Crab did; he thought he was so funny!"</p> - -<p>"He was going along, and came in to see the excitement. And he laughed -at us—the hateful thing. And when we said we belonged to the manse -he laughed more than ever. He was not a farmer, I am sure—he wore a -silk shirt, did you notice that, Treasure? We call him the Curious -Cat—Curious because he was so funny, and Cat because he laughed. He -gave the old Crab some money and said he would assume responsibility<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -for us, and he told us to wait until he telephoned to verify us, or -something, and he asked the Crab to pick us some regular flowers to -atone for his irreverence in assaulting a manse, as it were, and -the Crab really was pretty decent after that. When the Cat went to -telephone, I asked who he was, and the Crab rolled up his eyes and -said he never laid eyes on him before. And then the Cat came back, and -brought us home in his car."</p> - -<p>"Where was it?" asked Doris curiously.</p> - -<p>"It was in the hickory grove, this side of the tumble-down house—I -did hear that some one had bought the place, but I did not believe it. -Every one says it is haunted. But of course haunts do not work in the -day-time, and the flowers were gorgeous. We got quite chummy with the -Corduroy Crab before we left, and asked if we might have a picnic there -some time, and he said yes."</p> - -<p>"However did you get away out there, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the Maples came along in their car and asked if we wanted a ride, -and when we got out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> there and saw how fine the flowers were we said we -would get a ride back easy enough."</p> - -<p>"Here comes father!"</p> - -<p>The girls raced down the stone walk to meet him, and Doris returned to -the kitchen.</p> - -<p>"Did you ever hear such a thing in your life?" she thought to herself. -"How does he get every place—and how does he know everything— Oh, I -think I'll take a walk out there myself some of these fine days—maybe -I'll get arrested, too!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V</span> <span class="smaller">THE WILL</span></h2> - -<p>"Father, are you studying, or are you plain fidgeting?" asked Doris -suspiciously, pausing in the act of dusting the pile of manuscript on -her father's desk.</p> - -<p>"Just plain fidgeting, I am afraid," he admitted. "I am nervous."</p> - -<p>"Nervous!"</p> - -<p>"I believe that old fellow left me something in his will," came the -sober confession.</p> - -<p>"Davison?"</p> - -<p>"Davison."</p> - -<p>"But why should he leave you anything?"</p> - -<p>"Well, for that matter, why shouldn't he? Didn't I have to preach his -funeral sermon—hardest job of my whole ministry?"</p> - -<p>"But what makes you think—"</p> - -<p>"Folsom called me up and asked me to be at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> his office at eleven -o'clock for the reading of the will. Folsom is his lawyer."</p> - -<p>"Oh, they just want you for a witness, goosie."</p> - -<p>"You don't witness wills when they are dead—I mean, you witness the -will when the dead person made it—before he is dead, of course."</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, I couldn't have bungled it worse myself," she cried -gleefully. "But if he left you anything, I hope it was money. Maybe he -left you a thousand dollars. Father, if he did leave you a thousand -dollars, will you buy me a pair of two-tone gray shoes, twelve dollars? -Somehow the height of my ambition seems to be two-tone gray shoes, -twelve dollars."</p> - -<p>"Two-tone gray shoes! Do they make shoes to music now?"</p> - -<p>"Absolutely—and very expensive music, too—an orchestra at the very -least. A thousand dollars!"</p> - -<p>"Don't set your heart on it. I don't think he had any money."</p> - -<p>"What did he have?"</p> - -<p>"A little farm, and some chickens, and some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> books that were handed -down to him from somebody else, and a pianola that he got by a -mortgage, and a gold-headed cane—"</p> - -<p>"That is it, father, of course—the gold-headed cane. I am sure of it. -Of all things in the world that you can't use, and I don't want, a -gold-headed cane comes first. So that is probably what you will get. I -feel it in my prophetic soul. Cheer up, dear, I believe you can pawn -it."</p> - -<p>"Why, General, what a pessimist you are to-day. Maybe he left us the -chickens."</p> - -<p>"No such luck," she answered gloomily. "Didn't he have a handsome -imported Italian pipe? Maybe he left you that. Or an old English -drinking tankard—he must have had drinking tankards. Or a set of -hand-carved poker chips— He would chuckle in his grave if he could -wish something like that on you. Don't talk to me of wills any more, -father. No wonder you are fidgety. Run along now, and if you get a -gold-headed cane don't you bring it into the manse. And if you get a -sterling beer mug, you give it to the heathens. Now scoot."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> - -<p>Laughing, her father scooted, and Doris smiled after him tenderly.</p> - -<p>"It would be nice if the old sinner did end his bad life well by -leaving father something really decent. And goodness knows father -deserves it. He had to get him out of jail twice, and pray him through -delirium tremens four times."</p> - -<p>Still she would not allow her hopes to rise too buoyantly, for she had -learned from a life of well-mixed joy and discomfort not to expect the -very greatest and grandest of all good things—and then whatever came -was welcome, because it was more than she expected.</p> - -<p>But when along toward noon she heard the call of the telephone, she -leaped excitedly to answer it.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, yes, of course it is. What did you say? What—did—you—say? -Do it again, father, and slowly." And then she repeated after him -solemnly, word for word, "The prize Jersey cow, or the red auto he was -always getting arrested for speeding. And take your choice. Mercy me! -Good-by."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> - -<p>Doris hung up the receiver and sat down on the floor. Of all things in -the world! A Jersey cow—or a naughty red car! And father was to take -his choice.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i102.jpg" alt="A Jersey cow or a naughty red car" /></div> - -<p class="bold">A Jersey cow—or a naughty red car!</p> - -<p>When the girls came clamoring in from school Mr. Artman had not -appeared, so Doris served them with hands that trembled, and finally, -when she saw that father would not come in time to break his own good -news, she said:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Davison left a will and father gets a Jersey cow or the red -car—which?"</p> - -<p>There was no more dinner after that—for the girls all began talking at -once—except Treasure, who looked volumes, but never had an opportunity -to break into the conversation—and how cross they were at father for -not coming home to share the excitement. But maybe he was learning to -drive the red car, or—</p> - -<p>"Milk the cow," faltered Rosalie. "You don't suppose father would let -them talk him into taking the silly old cow, do you?"</p> - -<p>"Absolutely not," said Doris imperturbably. "Father knows better than -to decide such a thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> by himself. He will come straight home—and I -choose the car."</p> - -<p>So the girls reluctantly went off to school again.</p> - -<p>At one o'clock a neighbor ran in. "Well, what do you think of that? Did -you ever hear of such a thing? Would anybody but old Davison ever think -of leaving a preacher anything in his will?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Davison was very thoughtful in many ways," said Doris with dignity.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I suppose so. Well, it certainly is wonderful luck for you folks. -It is a good cow, one of the best in the county. Everybody says so. -Worth two hundred dollars, and only three years old. And think of the -nice milk and cream and butter and—"</p> - -<p>"You don't mean to say father took the cow," gasped Doris.</p> - -<p>"Why, I don't know—I suppose so—I should think he would. Whatever -would your poor father do with that devilish little red car? Of course -he will take the cow."</p> - -<p>"You scared me for a minute. I thought maybe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> father had a mental -aberration and did it! No, he will not take the cow—not by any -means. He will take the car, and take it just as fast as ever he can, -and—and—and—"</p> - -<p>Of course, the neighbor lady was sure dear Doris was quite daft, but -Doris was tranquilly confident. Her faith in her father's wisdom -remained unshaken—he would come to her, and she had already chosen the -car. It certainly was a General's prerogative—choosing things.</p> - -<p>At four o'clock he came, smiling, his face flushed, his eyes bright and -boyish.</p> - -<p>"Most fun I've had in ten years," he said, mopping his brow. "I think -if the parishioners knew how much fun it is, more of them would die, -and remember me in their wills."</p> - -<p>"You mean—"</p> - -<p>"Never mind what I mean. I am not sure I know myself. Well, as I told -you, Davison says it is for my own personal use and pleasure, mine and -my family's—not for the church under any consideration—either the -cow or the car. Probably, he says, in his outspoken way, I shall be -fool<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> enough to take the cow, and in that case the car is to go to his -great-grand-nephew up in New London. And great-grand-nephew greatly -prefers the car, so he took me out to show me the cow, and explain what -a bargain she is, and how easy to milk, and how creamy the milk is, and -he figured up how many pounds of milk and gallons of— No, I mean it the -other way, gallons of milk and pounds of butter I will get per year, -at so much per gallon and per pound, and that will mean a clear profit -of—"</p> - -<p>"Father, you poor dear, shall I call a doctor?"</p> - -<p>"So, after seeing the cow, and she is a beauty—I said, 'How about the -car? Let's give her the once-over, too, while we are at it.' He says -it isn't much of a car, in terrible condition, would take a hundred -dollars to put it in shape, and fairly eats gasoline—gas going up, -too. And he says it is a bad car to handle, quite dangerous, in fact, -has a habit of running into telephone poles and trains and things. But -we backed her out of the garage, and great-grand-nephew and Folsom and -I had a ride. Which do you want?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Mercy, father, how abrupt you are. I thought it was settled long ago. -We want the car, of course."</p> - -<p>"All right, my dear, all right, but I have a hunch that -great-grand-nephew will not be particularly pleased. Lucky he lives in -New London instead of here—Congregationalist, too, that's good. And -when I consider that I got Davison out of jail twice for speeding the -thing, I think after all it is my just deserts. All right, call Folsom -up and tell him we take the car."</p> - -<p>Doris ecstatically did, and the lawyer said he would deliver the car at -their door in person the next morning at nine o'clock.</p> - -<p>"Can't you make it eight?" pleaded Doris. "I think the children ought -to be here, and they are in school, you know."</p> - -<p>Very obligingly Mr. Folsom consented to the change of time, and the -entire family sat up until eleven o'clock that night figuring out how -to make motor bonnets of left-over coats and planning vacation motor -trips for ten years in advance.</p> - -<p>At five-thirty the next morning Treasure and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> Zee made a tour of the -house, wakening every member of the family in no idle manner.</p> - -<p>"Going to sleep all day?" Zee demanded in a peevish voice when she had -shaken Rosalie four times. "Get up, so you'll be ready for the car."</p> - -<p>"Zee Artman, you go right back to bed, and let me sleep," protested -Rosalie. "Do I have to sit up all night just because the car is coming -to-morrow?"</p> - -<p>"You get out, or we'll pull you out. Treasure and I are all dressed. -We're not going to have things held up at the last minute because -somebody isn't down yet. Are you going to get up— Have you got the -water, Treasure?"</p> - -<p>In the face of such persistence the others were helpless, so they -rushed down and had a feverish breakfast, with Zee dashing away from -the table every three minutes to see if the car had come, and at -seven-thirty they were grouped impatiently at the front window.</p> - -<p>"Keep behind the curtains," Rosalie urged, "or he will think we never -had a car before in our lives."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We must call it the machine," said Zee. "Machine sounds so -unconcerned."</p> - -<p>"Motor, you little goose," said Rosalie. "Machine is what the business -men call it. The highbrows say, 'The motor will be here at six.'"</p> - -<p>"We must give it a name," said Treasure. "Let's call it the Shooting -Star."</p> - -<p>"Let's call it the Divine Spark— It is the only divine thing old -Davison ever did."</p> - -<p>"Girls," said Doris firmly, "don't you ever let me hear you speak -disrespectfully of poor Mr. Davison again. He certainly had a kind and -generous heart and he must have sympathized with dear father, walking -all over town in all kinds of weather, and—"</p> - -<p>"Pretty good sort, after all, wasn't he, Doris?" laughed Mr. Artman. -"One post-mortem virtue like this will cover a lifetime of delirium -tremens, won't it?"</p> - -<p>"Here she comes," shouted Zee, and the family forgot its ministerial -dignity and rushed pell-mell down the stone walk.</p> - -<p>It was a pretty car, giddy and gaudy as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> color, which fascinated -Zee, with a softly whirring motor that reminded Treasure of a happy -little kitten, and with long low lines that Rosalie declared were very -smart indeed.</p> - -<p>"Get in, folks," said Mr. Folsom gaily, "we must give her a trial run."</p> - -<p>So the three older girls stepped loftily into the tonneau, and Zee -snuggled up between her father and Mr. Folsom in front—there may have -been bigger, more wonderful, more luxurious cars—but the Artmans could -not be convinced of it, and Mr. Davison improved steadily with every -turn of the motor.</p> - -<p>Mr. Folsom, enjoying their passionate delight, volunteered to spend the -morning giving the minister his first lesson, and a near panic ensued.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris!"</p> - -<p>"Do we have to go to school?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear, sweet, darling General, it never happened before since we -were born."</p> - -<p>"What do you think, father?" said Doris slowly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are the General," came the quick response.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Doris, in a clear triumphant voice, "step on it! What do -we care for school, and work, and mending, and dishes, and— Begin, Mr. -Folsom. We'll see the morning through."</p> - -<p>It was lovely to see precious old father take that gay young interest -in bolts and screws—how readily his laughter sounded—how deep and -pleased his voice rang out. Poor, dear Mr. Davison—well, we preachers -are only to lead, and not to judge, and Doris was very, very sure the -angels in Heaven must know many good and tender things about the man -who did this kindness to her father.</p> - -<p>Some of the people of the fold thought the family had mentally run -amuck. Whoever heard of an impecunious minister taking an expensive -auto in preference to a money-making cow? It was incomprehensible. But -even those who wondered, smiled with loving sympathy when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> family -bundled joyously into the motor "just to have a good time for an hour."</p> - -<p>"But wherever in the world we are going to scare up money for gas is -more than I can figure out," said Mr. Artman, looking at the girls -with sober eyes. "We've got the car—but it won't run itself. It costs -twenty-five cents a gallon, and we only get about eighteen miles to the -gallon—"</p> - -<p>"Don't do figures, father, it makes my head ache," pleaded Doris. "We -must concentrate. Where is the money for gas? Everybody think now."</p> - -<p>After a painful silence Treasure came forward with the first sacrifice. -"I will give half of my allowance—but it is only a dollar."</p> - -<p>Zee frowned at her. "That's a poor idea," she said. "Now I have to live -up to your precedent, and give half of mine. That is another dollar." -And then, with a truly herculean effort she added, "And, Doris, I will -go ahead wearing stogies to school, and you can have the price of the -fine shoes for gas, too."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is just fine for a starter," said Doris. "And since you little -ones have set the example, I know I can cut down on the expense of -cooking—we must use less butter, and less sugar, and other rich -things. I am sure I can save a few dollars every month, and you will -never notice the difference. It will take a little more planning, and a -little more work preparing the food—but I am willing to do that. Put -me down for at least three dollars."</p> - -<p>Rosalie sighed. "What can I do? I have my winter clothes already, and -my allowance—I can't give it up, for if I haven't any money the other -girls will pay my share of things, and I can not sponge on my friends, -you know." Then she added slowly, "But father gave me the money to join -the Golf Club—and I only wanted to join because it is so smart—I get -plenty of exercise without it. It is five dollars to join and two-fifty -a month. That goes into the gas."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, that is lovely—and so sweet and unselfish. Now we can use -the car with clear consciences, and we will enjoy it all the more -because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> we are making a sacrifice to pay for our pleasure."</p> - -<p>"How can I help?" asked their father suddenly. "I should like to follow -your lead. Is there anything I can give up, or go without? How do men -economize, anyhow? I shave and shine myself already. Cigars—I never -use. Theater tickets—never even saw them. What can I give up?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, I never thought of that. You do not have any money -for yourself at all, do you? You always turn it right over to me. -Are—we—as poor as that?"</p> - -<p>There was tragedy in the young voice, and she broke over the words.</p> - -<p>"Why, Doris, I did not mean it that way. I have everything I want, of -course. Fortunately, a minister's clothes do not go out of style—and -it saves me trouble and worry to let you spend the family fund instead -of doing it myself."</p> - -<p>"Then you shall be treasurer of the gasoline money. It will make you -feel like a millionaire, you poor old soul." She ran to her desk and -brought out the box of household funds. "Here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> is my three dollars— And -don't you get reckless and spend it for tires and rugs and things."</p> - -<p>Laughing gaily, the other girls brought out their hoarded dollars and -thrust them into his hands.</p> - -<p>"I have not felt so affluent for lo, these many years," he declared. -"Let's go out for a spin in the motor, shall we? And we'd better run by -the garage and fill her up—the tank is nearly empty."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI</span> <span class="smaller">THE SERPENT</span></h2> - -<p>Mr. Artman looked up from his mail, frowning gently, and Doris, always -quick to note his changing moods even in the midst of directing -Treasure about the proper distance from the table for her chair, and -admonishing Zee to eat her oatmeal from the side of her spoon, was -prompt to voice a query.</p> - -<p>"Don't frown, father, it isn't ministerial. Has somebody else left you -a will?"</p> - -<p>"No such luck. I was not frowning at the letter—I have a headache."</p> - -<p>"Oh, father," cried Zee. "It is because the girls make such a racket. -Go to bed, won't you, and I myself will stand on guard and keep peace -in the family."</p> - -<p>"Zee's spirit is willing to be quiet, but her voice and her heels give -it no support," smiled Rosalie.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is not the noise. I like to hear the incessant chatter and chase -below stairs when I am working. This fellow—"</p> - -<p>"Fellow, father?"</p> - -<p>"Minister," he amended quickly. "He is a minister, but he is tired of -pastoral work and wants to try his skill in evangelism, and insists -on coming here to practise on us during his vacation. But we aren't -ready for evangelistic meetings—and personally I should prefer -another— Anyhow—" he frowned gently at the letter again.</p> - -<p>"Tell him so," advised Doris.</p> - -<p>"I did. But he says he is coming for a visit anyhow, and he insists it -is a direct guidance of Providence."</p> - -<p>"Direct guidance of his bank-account, probably," said Rosalie. "Don't -let him work you, father."</p> - -<p>He shook his head at her reprovingly. "If it should really prove a -guidance— Anyhow, as he says, he is coming and will be with us a few -days to think it over."</p> - -<p>"Then I can not go to the country to-morrow,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> said Doris. "Rosalie is -no fit person to cook dinner for a visiting minister."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry, dear."</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course you are. I can see quite plainly that you do not -want him any more than I do. But never mind. The country will remain -forever, but—"</p> - -<p>"Some visiting ministers do, too, if they get a chance," chimed Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie! I dare say he is very nice, and we shall all enjoy him -immensely. Shan't we, father?"</p> - -<p>"I hope so—I think so. He is—I do not know him very well."</p> - -<p>"Evidently he did not make a special hit with you," said Zee shrewdly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, girls, how prying you are. He is very active and enthusiastic. -That I was not personally drawn to him is rather my fault than his, no -doubt."</p> - -<p>"We are going to be very nice to him," said Doris. "And Rosalie can -take him in hand, so he won't bother you every minute."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, he is married. And I must say his wife is nice enough to make up -for—"</p> - -<p>"Father!"</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, dear, I mean his wife is—very nice indeed."</p> - -<p>So the visiting minister came, the Reverend Andrew Boltman, a nervous -energetic man with dark eyes, and hair just tinged with gray, and he -settled down for a visit in the manse, trying, meanwhile, to effect -arrangements for the services, which Mr. Artman still insisted were not -desirable at the time.</p> - -<p>On the second day of his visit, when Mr. Artman announced his intention -of going to a lecture at the college, Mr. Boltman said he preferred -to stay quietly at home and read if he might be excused, and his host -went away alone, seeming almost relieved to be free to follow his own -desires for the afternoon. Doris went serenely about her housework, and -Mr. Boltman picked out a comfortable corner in the living-room with his -book.</p> - -<p>But late in the afternoon, when her father <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>returned, he found Doris -alone at the window, impatiently tapping her foot on the floor.</p> - -<p>"Where is Mr. Boltman?"</p> - -<p>"Gone down-town. Something is wrong with Rosalie. She is up-stairs, -crying. It must be pretty bad, for she would not tell me about it."</p> - -<p>So Mr. Artman went up-stairs to Rosalie, slowly but without delay, -feeling that vague helplessness that comes to men when there is trouble -in the family.</p> - -<p>She was lying face down on the bed, rigid, her hands clenched tightly, -but her shoulders rose and fell with heavy sobs.</p> - -<p>Something in her attitude told him that this was vital, not just a -little tempestuous outburst that could be readily brushed aside. He sat -down close by her on the bed, and laid his arm across her shoulders -tenderly.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie," he whispered, and as she flung herself upon him he caught -a glimpse of a white face and stormy eyes, quickly hidden from his -searching gaze.</p> - -<p>Very gently he caressed her, asking no <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>question, patting and fondling -her as he would have done to a little hurt or frightened child. And -then when the sobs came more easily, she stood up away from him -suddenly and looked straight into his face, and her eyes were hard.</p> - -<p>"I do not intend to be a Christian any more—not ever any more. It -is all over. I hate them. I think they are horrible. Christianity is -nothing—it is a cheat—and ministers are the worst of all."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, my little girl, have I—done something?" he cried in a -startled voice, for this was new even to him, who had coped with the -moods of daughters for many years.</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, not you—how can you think that? Listen. It is that -wicked, abominable old married Boltman. What do you suppose he did? -I came in from school, and Doris was at the store. He said I was the -loveliest thing he had ever seen, and I said, 'Thanks,' very curtly, -for I thought it was downright impudence, that's what I thought. And -before I could even dream of such a thing, he put his arms around me -and kissed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> me twice—kissed me—right on the lips. He did."</p> - -<p>She had spoken in a low voice, but every word fell so clearly, so -distinctly, that it was almost as if she had shouted aloud.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie!" said her father in a hoarse whisper, and Rosalie could see -that his hands shook.</p> - -<p>"He did. He kissed me—twice. Is that all the ministry stands for? And -he is married, and has children of his own—and he is in our home, and -I—why, I am only a kid."</p> - -<p>"And can one—man—kill your faith in the sanctity of the ministry—one -man, Rosalie?"</p> - -<p>"There may be some other decent ones besides you—but how can I tell -which ones they are? How can anybody tell?" she wailed. "They all come -praying, and saying sweet and gentle things—how can you tell which -ones are true and which ones—are like Boltman?"</p> - -<p>"We have always had the wolves inside the fold, dear. And of old, you -know, they had their false prophets teaching error."</p> - -<p>Rosalie drooped her head against his arm, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> did not speak. The -gentle, so dearly loved voice, seemed to comfort her.</p> - -<p>"I had hoped—I have tried—to keep my life so clean before you girls -that if ever a time should come, like this, when your faith was put to -the test, you could look at me and say, 'But there is father.' I have -always felt it was a part of fatherhood, to be a living proof before -the children of the home. I must have failed you some time."</p> - -<p>Rosalie clung to him, shaking her head in violent denial.</p> - -<p>"He ought to be put out of the church," she whispered.</p> - -<p>"We are human, Rosalie, as well as ministers. And human flesh is not -invincible. God is very, very reasonable with us. David betrayed his -trust, but God forgave him. Peter denied his Lord, but was restored to -favor. I think that God forgives us when we fail Him even yet—even we -ministers—if we go to Him for purging."</p> - -<p>"But, father, if the ministry can't keep a man good—what can?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Nothing but the spirit of the Lord, working in us, nothing else, -Rosalie. And have you lost all confidence in the ministry?"</p> - -<p>Rosalie squirmed. "Not in you, dearest. Just in the rest of it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, is your faith so small? People on whom I counted have -failed me many times, yet I trust the next one just the same."</p> - -<p>"You have more trust to begin with than I have. And he looked so—ugly, -father—in his eyes. I hate to think that women have to sit in the -church and look up to him in the pulpit—God's pulpit, that is sacred."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, I want to talk to you just a minute, and then I shall go down -and leave you alone to think it over by yourself. Of all the ministers -we have had in our home, he is the first to betray our trust. Only one, -out of the dozens we have had. I put it to your sense of justice, to -your belief in fair play. Your finger is pricked by the thorn on the -stem of the rose, but you do not turn your eyes from all the lovely -roses forever after. The dog goes mad and bites the hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> that has -petted him, but you do not say all dogs must suffer death. One girl -who has been your friend is false to the friendship and betrays your -confidence, but you do not deny yourself the friendship of other girls -on that account. Many a woman has been deceived by her lover, but she -does not shut her heart to love and truth the rest of her life because -of that. And many parents have been cut to the quick by the ingratitude -and the disloyalty of a much-loved child, but they do not turn deaf -ears to the claims of other children. It may be <i>consistent</i>, Rosalie, -to say that if one of a species betrays you none of that species can be -trusted—it may be consistent, but it is not generous, it is not kind, -it is not womanly. Think it over, dearest, and I shall come to you -again after while."</p> - -<p>Then he went down-stairs, and stood grimly at the window waiting until -Mr. Boltman turned in at the gate of the manse, and went out the stone -walk to meet him.</p> - -<p>"Have you decided about the meetings yet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> Brother?" asked Mr. Boltman -eagerly, not noting the white lines on the face of his host.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have decided. I am going out to the garage—come along, will -you?"</p> - -<p>After a while Rosalie came down-stairs looking for her father, and she -hovered close to Doris as if enjoying the protection of her nearness, -but offering no explanations, and Doris asked no questions. So the two -were together when the kitchen door banged open, and Zee and Treasure, -trembling and pallid, rushed in upon them.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" cried Doris nervously. "What is the matter? Did something -happen?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, awful," cried Zee, quivering. "Father and Mr. Boltman had a fight."</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"They came into the barn—we were in the haymow, and father asked if -he was going to explain something, and Boltman laughed kind of funny -and said, 'Oh, be reasonable, Artman, you know we are all human.' And -father said, and his voice sounded very grim and—like an <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>archangel, -or something, and he said, 'Yes, thank God, we are, but some of us have -manhood enough to make us good to children and loyal to our friends.' -And father said, 'There is something in the Bible about the man who -puts a stumbling block in the way of one of His little ones— And you -have put a block in the path of faith for one of the children of the -church.' And Boltman said, 'Won't you pray with me, Brother?' And -father said, 'Yes, in a minute. But first I have to let you know what -I think of you.' And father knocked him down— He did that very thing, -we were peeking through the cracks, and Boltman's nose bled something -awful. Then father got a piece of waste out of the car, and wet it at -the hydrant and gave it to Boltman to wipe the blood off, and then he -said, 'Now we will pray.' And they knelt down— What did father say in -his prayer, Treasure? I was so scared I couldn't hear good."</p> - -<p>"He said, 'Oh, God, wash the heart of this man who professes to be -thy minister, and teach him loyalty, teach him tenderness, teach him -purity!'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> or something like that. And he said, 'And, dear God, help me -to remove that stumbling block from the path of Thy little one.' And -then father said, 'Now get out. I will pack your bag and send it to the -train for you.'"</p> - -<p>"And father struck out through the meadow as fast as he could go, and -Boltman wiped the rest of the blood off, and went toward town, and—"</p> - -<p>"Whatever in the world do you suppose—"</p> - -<p>"We must not ask any questions, girls," said Doris quickly, without -glancing at Rosalie's face. "It is something connected with the -ministry, and you know those things are sacred to father. So we must -not ask about it, but let it pass."</p> - -<p>Rosalie's eyes were suddenly very bright, and she turned and ran -breathlessly up the stairs. She knew that when her father was ready, -he would come to her. And after a time, came father, with a little of -shame in his eyes, and a flush on his face.</p> - -<p>"And how is the Problem now?" he asked gently.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>"All solved," she cried. "A fatherly blow from a strong right arm was -the answer."</p> - -<p>"I—You—How—"</p> - -<p>"The girls were in the haymow, but they do not know what it is all -about, and Doris said we preachers must not ask questions in a case -like that."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie," he said, "some people say that God does not watch over us, -and guard us. Yet Providence certainly kept that man out of the house -when you first told me,—I am afraid I could have killed him—there -was hate in my heart—not now, dear. And believe this, dear, I did -not strike him in anger. I thought it over carefully and decided it -would do him good. But I did not hit him furiously, or wildly—it was -deliberate."</p> - -<p>"Then you do not always believe in—turning the other cheek?"</p> - -<p>"I do not believe in carrying it to the point of offering another -daughter to the man who offends," he said quickly.</p> - -<p>"I think," she said thoughtfully—"I believe—a false prophet was -probably the Serpent in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> Garden of Eden. They are very upsetting, -you know—I am sure it was nothing less than a bad minister that -overcame Eve's scruples."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps." And then he added wistfully, "Do you still have that feeling -of abhorrence for—us preachers?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, nobody could lose confidence in the ministry when you -emphasize your argument with your muscle. It is all over. Isn't it a -good thing I know you? For you could cancel a dozen bad preachers, -for me at least. I'm sorry for the way I talked. It was very foolish, -and very wicked. Why, do you know, for a while, I actually held God -responsible for that creature? I thought, 'How can God allow such a -monster to go about preaching His gospel?' And then, after you talked -to me, I saw that he was only the serpent trying to despoil God's -vineyard."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, how many of us do that very thing. Instead of thanking -God for the lovely vineyard He has given us, we blame Him for the -serpent curling at the roots. Yet the serpent is not all powerful—even -we have strength to drive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> him away—God saw to that. But no, instead -of using our strength as it was intended, we say, 'God should not allow -the serpent in the vineyard!' Then it is all over, and you are still -glad and proud to be one of 'Us Preachers,' are you?"</p> - -<p>"Gladder and prouder than ever," she said warmly, but her father saw in -her eyes a little dark shadow of disillusionment that had never been in -Rosalie's bright eyes before.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII</span> <span class="smaller">DISCIPLINE</span></h2> - -<p>"Oh, we had a perfectly glorious time, Doris," cried Rosalie, skipping -into the manse with her face fairly glowing. "It is such a lovely -crowd, and we have such laughing times together—and we got whole sacks -full of hickory nuts, and Bert gave me his share, too. Is supper ready? -I am so hungry. We thought we had twice too much lunch, but we ate it -all, and were tempted to raid the orchards coming home, we were so -ravenous. Do hurry along, there's a nice General. Do we have to wait -for anybody?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, how young you are when you are hungry," cried Doris -affectionately. "It isn't nearly time for dinner, but we'll eat as soon -as the girls come. Father won't be here to-night, and we only have -cream potato soup, but you love it, and I made heaps. Aren't the girls -in sight? They promised to come early and—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, here they come. You dish up the soup, and I'll carry it in."</p> - -<p>So with a great deal of chattering and laughter, and endless running -back and forth, Rosalie pulled up the chairs and carried the plates -of soup to the table, waltzing Doris to her place just as the younger -girls came in.</p> - -<p>"Hurry, hurry," begged Rosalie. "Father isn't here to-night, so you -needn't take time to brush. For once I am glad we don't have to wait -for the blessing."</p> - -<p>So the girls rushed to the table, and when Rosalie was happily immersed -in her soup, Doris said, rather shyly:</p> - -<p>"I am glad you spoke of the blessing, Rosalie, for—I want to say -something about that myself, and I haven't had the nerve, though I -have been thinking of it for quite a while. I think it is a shame for -us preachers to sit down and eat without giving thanks, just because -father is not here to do the talking for us."</p> - -<p>Rosalie paused, spoon lifted in mid-air. "Mercy, General, are you brave -enough to tackle that?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I agree with you, Doris," said Zee promptly. "I feel like a heathen -when we eat without the blessing. And I think you and Rosalie ought to -be ashamed of yourselves."</p> - -<p>"I am willing to take my turn," said Treasure, "if you won't be -critical."</p> - -<p>"Why, Treasure, you dear little thing. Then is it all settled that we -take turns giving thanks when father is away? For I believe father -thinks we do it right along, and I should be ashamed to let him know we -don't."</p> - -<p>"I can't—I am too young," said Zee bashfully.</p> - -<p>"You aren't too young to thank father when he gives you a nickel."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will try it once, but I speak for the last turn. And if -Rosalie so much as smiles I'll never do it—"</p> - -<p>"Say, do you think I am an infidel?" demanded Rosalie indignantly. "Of -course I shall not smile. Go ahead, then, General, begin." She dropped -her spoon and shut her eyes.</p> - -<p>"Maybe—shall we—do you think I ought to—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Let's draw cuts to see who takes the first plunge," cried Zee. "I'll -hold the straws while the rest of you draw."</p> - -<p>"Zee, sit down. I am surprised at you. We must not draw cuts about -the blessing. I will begin." Doris looked anxiously about the table, -scanning her sisters' faces for signs of amusement, but they were -preternaturally grave and earnest.</p> - -<p>So in a meek and lowly voice, in a manner that spoke of anything but a -pharisaical blasting of trumpets, Doris asked a blessing on their food. -And the girls sighed with satisfaction when she said Amen, proclaiming -their comfort in having conformed to the ministerial proprieties, and -kept the sanctity of the manse intact.</p> - -<p>"We had a perfectly ducky time to-day," said Rosalie, while Doris was -refilling her plate with soup. "We got a half a bushel of nuts apiece, -and Bert gave me his besides, on condition that I invite him to help -eat them once a week."</p> - -<p>"By the way, who went nutting to-day, anyhow?" asked Zee suddenly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We did—our college bunch."</p> - -<p>"It was not your Sunday-school class, was it?"</p> - -<p>Rosalie flashed a questioning look at her sister. "No, it was not the -class—exactly," she said reluctantly. "The girls are in my class, -though."</p> - -<p>"Was it the whole class?" persisted Zee.</p> - -<p>"Why are you asking so many questions? What difference does it make -to you who went? Whatever made you think of the Sunday-school class -anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"We met little Nora Gordon on the street to-day, and she asked if you -went nutting, and who went along, and I said Mabel and Frances and -Gloria and Annabelle and Sara and the college boys. And she said, 'Then -it was their Sunday-school class, and they didn't invite my sister and -she feels awful.'"</p> - -<p>"Oh, mercy," said Rosalie, "we tried to keep it from her—that is, we -didn't suppose she would find out—anyhow, it was a college crowd, and -Alicia Gordon does not go to college."</p> - -<p>"Did all the rest of the class go except Alicia?" asked Doris.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, yes, it isn't a very big class, you know, and we all go to -college, except Alicia. She works. But is was a regular college -crowd—and the boys don't like Alicia, she never has a date with -anybody. She is kind of poky."</p> - -<p>"You knew it would hurt her feelings if she found it out, didn't you?"</p> - -<p>"Well, perhaps, but we didn't intend she should find it out. I wonder -who told her? It was a nasty little trick, and if you did it, Miss -Zee—"</p> - -<p>"I didn't. What did I know about your old picnic? And when I saw how -Nora felt, I told her over and over it was a college affair, didn't I, -Treasure?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but their feelings are hurt, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Now, of course, you are blaming me, Doris, but we couldn't take her -along. The boys don't care for her, and she can't expect us to make -dates for her."</p> - -<p>"What is the matter with her?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, but she sits around like a stick and never says boo. Boys -make her nervous. I like her well enough myself, though she never says<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -much and clams up completely when a man heaves in sight. A pretty -enough girl, and dresses well—but what could we do with her on a -nutting party?"</p> - -<p>"I think it was a very un-manse-like thing to do, and I am sorry."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry she found it out myself. But I hardly know her."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you know her, if she is in your class?"</p> - -<p>"She never goes where we go, and—you just can't get acquainted with -her."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever try?"</p> - -<p>"Um, not very hard, I suppose. She ought to meet one half-way."</p> - -<p>"Some people can't, and you know it. That is why they have us -preachers, to go the whole way to meet those who can't, or won't, come -a step toward us. I'm afraid—you ought to be disciplined, Rosalie."</p> - -<p>Zee leaped up, clapping her hands. "Good. Whip her, Doris. Go on, give -her a good one, for once, the bad thing."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, Zee, Doris can't whip a big thing like Rosalie," protested -Treasure anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Don't be silly, girls," said Rosalie. "I see what you mean, Doris, and -I am quite willing. Pronounce the sentence, General."</p> - -<p>"Well, Alicia works on Saturday morning, but she is off in the -afternoon, isn't she? So the punishment is that you must have her -come and spend the afternoon and stay for supper and all night and go -to Sunday-school with us the next morning. Then you will have a good -chance to get regularly acquainted with her."</p> - -<p>Rosalie went directly to the telephone. "Well, now is the— Oh, Doris, -not this week. We are going to stay all night at Adele's you know, and -make taffy."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry," said Doris gently.</p> - -<p>Rosalie soberly searched her sister's face a moment, then without -comment, called the number, and asked for Alicia. She gave the -invitation in a friendly cordial voice, showing no hint of perturbation -or coercion, and after a moment's pause, Alicia accepted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But whatever in the world we are going to do with that solemn Alicia -Gordon for eighteen hours, I do not know. You'll have to do most of the -talking, Doris."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, indeed; she is your guest. We put her in your hands absolutely -and you alone will be responsible for her comfort."</p> - -<p>"But, General—"</p> - -<p>"If she is my company, you won't get much punishment out of it, will -you?"</p> - -<p>Rosalie sighed heavily. "Eighteen hours—she will come right from -work—that means luncheon. Oh, Doris, you do not know what a blow she -is. And a nice enough girl, too—but whatever can we talk about for -eighteen hours?"</p> - -<p>Doris had no suggestions forthcoming, and to make the affliction -greater, on Saturday she made unexpected arrangements to drive to the -country with her father.</p> - -<p>"And you can get lunch for yourself and the girls, can't you, Rosalie -dear?"</p> - -<p>"But Alicia Gordon—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, she won't mind. I'll be home in time to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> have a nice dinner for -you. Bye, Rosalie; good luck."</p> - -<p>Alicia arrived from her work almost as soon as Rosalie came in from a -business meeting of the Literary Society, and a heated discussion of -menus was immediately in progress.</p> - -<p>"You must help us, Alicia. We are trying to get up a fashionable -company luncheon in your honor, and we can't think of anything -fashionable that I have brains enough to cook."</p> - -<p>Zee watched closely, but Alicia never so much as smiled, though any one -might know Rosalie had meant to be funny.</p> - -<p>"Let's not be fashionable," she said evenly. "Let's figure out what is -easiest to prepare, and have it."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't be proper," insisted Rosalie. "Doris always wants us to be -proper when we have company."</p> - -<p>"French fried potatoes are fashionable," said Zee.</p> - -<p>"Too much work."</p> - -<p>"Corn fritters are nice," said Treasure.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I do not like corn," said Alicia.</p> - -<p>They looked at one another soberly. "I tell you what," said Rosalie at -last. "Let's go to the pantry and see what we can find."</p> - -<p>The four ran pell-mell to the pantry, and looked over the shelves -hastily, but with thoroughness.</p> - -<p>"A custard pie, thank goodness," said Rosalie. "That settles the -dessert."</p> - -<p>"I am going to have this apple sauce and bread and butter," said -Treasure suddenly. "You folks can get what you like."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm going to have toast and milk," cried Zee. "I'll toast it -myself—and—"</p> - -<p>"I'd like a fried egg sandwich," said Alicia, "if you do not mind. And -I want to fix it myself. I just love them, and mother never has time to -make them for our big family."</p> - -<p>"I'll have one, too," decided Rosalie. "Suppose you fix mine when you -do yours, and I'll be making hot chocolate for all of us. And we'll -have some sweet pickles if Zee will bring them from the cellar."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the confusion of getting four separate luncheons on one gas stove -at the same minute, one could not find time for much formality. Zee -stepped on Alicia's toes, and Alicia splashed hot butter on Treasure's -hand, and Rosalie let the chocolate boil over on the eggs. But finally -they were seated companionably about the table, and by that time they -were fairly well acquainted.</p> - -<p>When luncheon was over, Zee and Treasure set about the dishes, and -Rosalie and Alicia disappeared. But when Rosalie came into the kitchen -on an errand a little later, Zee said:</p> - -<p>"She seems all right, I think. I bet she needs a beau."</p> - -<p>"What makes you think that?"</p> - -<p>"Well, you say you need them to keep your soul in—to—to—I forgot -just what you do say, but anyhow you always declare you can't be normal -without a beau. And I guess all girls are alike, so Alicia needs one, -too."</p> - -<p>Rosalie went out of the kitchen, thinking hard. "I wonder—" she said. -"I believe I can—" She went directly to the telephone, and called -Bert.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have a friend spending the night with me," she said. "A town girl. -You know I told you I was busy and could not keep our date. But I -wonder if you can't get another man and come and help us make candy?"</p> - -<p>Bert was desolated, but since Rosalie had said she was busy, he had -made other arrangements—he didn't care two cents about the girl they -picked out for him—wasn't it beastly luck— He would break the date, -that's what he'd do.</p> - -<p>Rosalie would not hear of it, and she stopped the conversation abruptly -and looked at Alicia.</p> - -<p>"Men are all alike, aren't they? Here he has been telling me for two -months that I am the only girl in college—I shall get even with him. -I'll just have a senior, and that will make him wild. Bob Harton is -always asking me for dates, but is always just too late. So I can -ask him perfectly all right, and we'll have him bring—let me see—I -know—Arthur Gooding, a 'post'—and terribly sensible."</p> - -<p>So she ran to the telephone again, in spite of Alicia's protests, and -called the second number.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, Bob," she began, "this is Rosalie Artman. I am always taken when -you try to make a date with me, so I thought I would try my hand on -you. I have a town girl staying all night, and we want you to come and -help us celebrate. And can't you ask Arthur Gooding to come? I do not -know him very well myself, but he is so sensible, and this is a very -sensible girl, so they ought to get on wonderfully. Will you see? Oh, -that is just lovely."</p> - -<p>"I do not know how to talk to men, Rosalie, I never had a date in my -life. I can't think of things to say."</p> - -<p>"Leave it to me," cried Rosalie blithely. "I can do most of the -talking. And Arthur is so sensible you won't have to talk. Just sit -back and look wise, and he will think you are wonderful. And Bob is -lots of fun, and—oh, it will be easy."</p> - -<p>The rest of the afternoon passed comfortably enough getting ready for -the evening, and the girls had told the boys good night, and gone -up-stairs before Rosalie remembered that Alicia was a bore.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - -<p>When they went into their room for the night, she turned Alicia's face -to the light and scrutinized the bright quiet eyes, and the flushed but -still placid face.</p> - -<p>"Marvels will never cease," she said solemnly. "I am not sensible, I -don't want to be sensible, I don't even believe in sense, and I talk -all the time, and the silliest talk I can think of—but that perfectly -dignified sober Arthur Gooding, who is a 'post,' fell for me like a -flash, head over heels. And he was invited for you! And you sat back in -a corner saying as near nothing as possible, but that irrepressible Bob -Harton could not keep three feet away from you all evening, and never -took his eyes off your face once. Come now, 'fess up. Did he make a -date with you?"</p> - -<p>"Three—one for to-morrow, and two for next week," admitted Alicia, -smiling softly. "Isn't he funny and bright?"</p> - -<p>Rosalie turned her back, and stared up at the ceiling. "Well," she said -at last, "I always have thought you quiet girls were dangerous, if you -ever get started."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> - -<p>Alicia came over to her suddenly, and said, "Thank you for getting me -started. I had a lovely time. I thought you did not like me, Rosalie. -You'll forgive me, won't you?"</p> - -<p>Rosalie flung her arms impulsively around Alicia's shoulders. "I had -a lovely time myself. And I do like you—but I shall try to forgive -you, if you never do it again," she said virtuously. But as they were -getting into bed, she said suddenly, "Isn't that Zee the shrewd one, -though?" And Alicia wondered what Zee had to do with the question in hand.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE BISHOP</span></h2> - -<p>Doris went to bed very early in the first place, a thing she firmly -resolved never to do again under any circumstances. Zee and Treasure -were soundly and sweetly sleeping. Father had gone, in the car, to some -very formal and dignified affair where there were to be two college -presidents and a Methodist bishop, and no one ever knows when to expect -folks home if there is a bishop in it. Rosalie was spending the evening -with one of her friends, and just an hour ago had telephoned that she -was going to spend the night, and Doris should not wait up for her.</p> - -<p>So in the face of all that, there was nothing for Doris to do but go -to bed. But she could not sleep. She tossed and tumbled, and finally, -after counting both sheep and stars long and persistently, and after -repeating to herself all the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>soothing and sleep-provoking poetry she -could think of, she did fall into a troubled slumber.</p> - -<p>A long time afterward she became conscious of vague unrest. It must be -terribly late, yet Doris was acutely certain that some one was moving -around—doing something—things evidently were not right.</p> - -<p>She slipped out of bed, and drew her flannel kimono about her. In the -next room, her younger sisters were sleeping heavily. Her father's door -was ajar, and she peered in, noting the humpy outlines of the beautiful -blue and white Ladies' Aid quilt over the tall figure. Then a sudden -glance from the hall window beside her sent a chill to her very heart.</p> - -<p>The door of the barn—the "garage" now, by grace of dear Mr. Davison's -red car—was slowly, softly opening. A man stepped out from the shadow -and passed inside, the door swinging wide behind him. Then came the -whirr of the engine, as he stepped on the starter.</p> - -<p>Like a flash Doris leaped into her father's room, and clutched his -shoulders.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Run, run," she shouted lustily. "Run for your life. Some one is -stealing the car. Father!"</p> - -<p>Under the exertion of her strong arms, the figure rose quickly in the -bed, and a long shaft of moonshine rested across his face—and it was -a stranger. Doris stared at him in amazement, holding the flannel robe -about her throat more tightly, and then she sank back away from him, -still staring.</p> - -<p>"Who—are—you?"</p> - -<p>"I am the bishop, my dear," he answered, too startled to remember he -wasn't the only bishop in the world. "Your father brought me home with -him to spend the night.—Isn't he here? Why, where is he? He came to -bed with me."</p> - -<p>"Good night," said Doris, with icy dignity, and she arose and swept -haughtily from the room.</p> - -<p>At the hall window she heard again the spin of the motor, and the low -purr as the engine leaped into action, and the car rolled out of the -garage. It was father, of course—and bareheaded, too, in the middle -of the night—an idiotic thing for a minister to do, going off for -a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> midnight joy-ride leaving a bishop in his bed— Well, Doris should -worry! If a preacher couldn't take care of himself, who could?</p> - -<p>She went resolutely back to bed, but not to sleep. Where in the world -had father gone? Why had he brought a bishop into their home, and put -him to bed, and then sneaked off and left him there? And by every -conceivable stretch of the imagination that fellow in father's bed was -too young to do any respectable bishoping, she was sure of that. Maybe -he had only pretended to be a bishop, and father had discovered the -deception, and gone for the sheriff—or—oh, dear!</p> - -<p>If he was a bishop, Doris knew that no one on earth but the Methodists -would have such a young one. The Presbyterians did not approve of -bishops in the first place, but if they did, they would have old ones -with gray hair and wrinkles.</p> - -<p>When she heard the car run into the garage again she leaped from her -bed and hurried down-stairs. Her father and Rosalie were coming in -together, laughing as unconcernedly as though bishops were every-day -occurrences.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris, father was so excited about the bishop he forgot me," -giggled Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"You said you were not coming home," said Doris indignantly.</p> - -<p>"I changed my mind. I have a class at eight in the morning, and I was -afraid I might not make it. So I just phoned father to call for me in -the car, and he told me to wait until he got there, and I did, but he -forgot me."</p> - -<p>"The bishop came home with me, and—"</p> - -<p>"Don't I know it?" interrupted Doris hotly.</p> - -<p>"And I forgot Rosalie, and then when we got to bed I remembered. And -the bishop was asleep so I slipped out, and—"</p> - -<p>"Good night," said Doris curtly, and stalked up the stairs like an -offended Lady Macbeth.</p> - -<p>"Isn't she dramatic?" laughed Rosalie. "Would it shock the church if we -put her on the stage?"</p> - -<p>"I wonder what happened? Well, let's go to bed, she'll be all right in -the morning."</p> - -<p>"Aren't you hungry, 'fath'? Let's raid the pantry, shall we? That will -be a good joke on Doris, to pay her for her airs."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the lunch they crept softly up-stairs to bed, and Rosalie kept -up a pleasant chattering conversation which Doris met with unfriendly -silence. What in the world would the bishop think of her? Whatever were -they going to have for breakfast? Of course, father had always been -free to bring people whenever he liked—but a bishop! Oh, well!</p> - -<p>The next morning she ran down-stairs very early, and took stock of -the stores in the pantry. For the first time she almost wished she -had chosen the cow instead of the car—real cream would cover so many -breakfast shortages. Fortunately there was one can of peaches in the -cellar—they were being saved for a special occasion, but nothing -could be any more special than a bishop. They could not have oatmeal, -for Rosalie and father had finished off the milk. There were three -eggs—she might cook them for the bishop, and tell him the family was -on diet—ridiculous! She might make pancakes—that would be ample -excuse for Doris to remain in the kitchen, too, and although she was a -social<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> soul, she did not yearn to appear before that bishop, in spite -of wondering whether he could truly be as young as he had looked in the -moonlight in the middle of the night.</p> - -<p>She stirred up the batter with commendable zeal.</p> - -<p>"Doris," came an imperative call from Zee at the head of the stairs. -"Oh, Doris!" And Zee's voice was shrill and penetrating. "Do—ris! Make -Rosalie give back my blue ribbon—she borrowed it—and she can't!"</p> - -<p>"Ummmmmm," muttered Doris grimly. "Wouldn't that be sure to happen on a -bishop morning?" She ran to the bottom of the stairs.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, you can't borrow it if Zee won't lend it," she said softly, -but in a determined voice. "But I am surprised that Zee would refuse—"</p> - -<p>"I didn't refuse," protested Zee. "I am always willing to lend things. -But she did not ask. She just snitched it."</p> - -<p>"Zee, you must not say snitched."</p> - -<p>"She may borrow it, if she asks, and says please," said Zee.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then Rosalie flashed into the hall and dropped on her knees, both hands -outstretched, and cried, "Oh, sweet young sister, for the sake of my -immortal beauty, may I—"</p> - -<p>"Rosalie!"</p> - -<p>"'Scuse me, General. Please, fair Zee, may I borrow this bonny blue -ribbon to wear in my golden locks? And you'd better say yes, for I'm -going to borrow it anyhow."</p> - -<p>Zee promptly pushed her over backward, and Rosalie leaped up and -made a whirling rush at Zee, who tore into her own room, where Doris -could hear them bouncing into the middle of the bed with a resounding -spring—and then came stifled laughter, and squeals, and—</p> - -<p>Doris ran breathlessly up the stairs. She looked soberly at the flushed -and laughing girls, all tangled up in the bed-clothes on the floor, and -then she closed the door.</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, what will the bishop think?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, mercy, I forgot the bishop," cried Rosalie. "Zee Artman, you bad -thing, see what you've done. You've shocked a bishop, and now he will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -say we Presbyterians are not orthodox. It was all your fault—"</p> - -<p>"Bishop? What bishop? Where's he at? Where'd we get him? You don't mean -to say father brought a bishop here without a week's notice? Isn't that -like a preacher?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, girls, please get dressed and come and help me. The house is a -sight. Treasure left that sticky stuff—"</p> - -<p>"Papier-mâché," said Treasure with dignity. "It is very scholastic, we -use it to make maps with. I guess it won't shock a bishop. But don't -call it sticky stuff—say papier-mâché."</p> - -<p>"I do not care what it is called, dear, it must not be left all over -the chairs in the dining-room—not when there is a bishop in the state."</p> - -<p>"It is a shame, General, that's what it is," said Rosalie penitently. -"We'll just fly now, and help like good preachers. You run back to your -pancakes, and don't worry."</p> - -<p>They made so much haste after that to atone for their mischief -that almost immediately they were down-stairs. Treasure hurriedly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>straightened the living-room, Rosalie set the table most -irreproachably, and Zee slipped into the back yard and picked some -golden glow.</p> - -<p>"Oh, the roots were on the Davis side of the fence, but what I picked -was on our side," she declared when Doris frowned at her. So Rosalie -arranged the flowers in a big blue bowl on the table, and when the -bishop and their father came down-stairs laughing agreeably, everything -was lovely, and the girls were spotlessly clean, soft as to voice, -and gentle as to manner. And although the bishop's eyes twinkled a -little, his face was properly grave. He was not even as old as their -father—think of that now—and a bishop—and he had a way of telling -stories which was quite attractive in regular preachers but seemed a -little out of harmony in a bishop—and in a few minutes they were all -good friends.</p> - -<p>"Is this the whole family?" asked the bishop, smiling on the three -girls with approval.</p> - -<p>"My oldest daughter, Doris, is getting breakfast. As a special treat, -she is giving us pancakes and maple sirup, and she feels they require<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -her constant presence. She will be in presently, however."</p> - -<p>Doris, listening at the door, could have blessed her father for the -words. He had spoken of the pancakes as a favor instead of dire -necessity—and perhaps the bishop would think that ordinarily they had -common things like bacon and eggs, and hot muffins, and strawberry -preserves, and grapefruit. More than that, he had offered a half -apology for her absence, and Doris flatly refused to appear. She would -cook for the bishop, she would wash his dishes and make his bed—but -look him in the face she could not.</p> - -<p>Presently they went out to the table, and Zee carefully carried the -platter of cakes to the table, and later took it back to the kitchen -for refilling. And Rosalie chattered, and smiled into the bishop's -eyes—for practise, she said afterward, not because she really hoped to -dazzle a bishop, and the breakfast went smoothly on.</p> - -<p>Doris, in the kitchen, flapped the cakes over, and pulled the griddles -back and forth with a fury none the less real because it perforce was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> -silent, for in spite of her resentment not one sound would she permit -to reach the ears of the bishop in her dining-room. And the heat of the -stove made her cheeks crimson, and her bad disposition made her eyes -like bright sweet stars.</p> - -<p>When breakfast was over the bishop seated himself comfortably with a -paper in a far corner of the living-room where he was out of the way, -and Rosalie ran off to college. After doing up the dishes, the younger -girls also hurried to school, and Mr. Artman went out to the garage -to look over the motor—not that he knew anything about motors, but -because all conscientious owners of autos do it.</p> - -<p>Doris was very much ashamed of her childish temper by this time, but -after so long an absence she had not the heart to appear properly and -humbly before the bishop to welcome him to the manse, and she stuck -resolutely to the kitchen getting things ready for dinner. Still the -bishop rocked comfortably in the living-room, the door open between him -and the dining-room through which Doris must pass to reach the other -part of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> the house. And there was so much to be done up-stairs—maybe -she could slip out to the barn and make father take the odious bishop -for a ride.</p> - -<p>Well, did you ever! There came a sudden light knock on the kitchen -door, and before Doris had time to slip off the table where she had -been swinging her heels in perplexity it opened, and the bishop's -friendly face appeared.</p> - -<p>"Good morning. May I come in? How busy you are to-day. I am afraid I -have caused you extra work. You are Miss Doris, aren't you? I shall -never forget the hand that is responsible for those delicious pancakes."</p> - -<p>"Can you ever forget the hand that jerked you out of dreamland in the -middle of the night?" she asked, laughing, the last trace of her anger -vanishing forever.</p> - -<p>Then they were friends, and since any one could see plainly there was -nothing in the house that needed her particular attention, she took -the bishop into the yard and they walked under the bare branches of -the maples, dragging their feet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> through the crinkly fallen leaves, -and then they visited father in the garage, teasing him for his motor -madness. And it was lunch time before one could realize that breakfast -was entirely a thing of the past.</p> - -<p>Doris could have apologized for her rudeness very easily, for the -bishop had a way of helping one to speak. But she knew it was not -necessary, for the bishop also had a way of understanding even when -words were left unsaid. And Doris wondered how he ever came to be a -Methodist!</p> - -<p>As Rosalie said afterward, "You ought to know better than to feed a man -such pancakes if you want to be enemies with him."</p> - -<p>And as Zee pointed out very plainly, "His age has nothing to do with -it. He was married once, and you could not expect them to un-bishop him -just because his wife died—I suppose bishops' wives can die if they -want to, like anybody else."</p> - -<p>And as Treasure insisted, "Doris is a lovely thing, in spite of being a -general, and why shouldn't the bishop enjoy a manse for a change?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> - -<p>At all events, the bishop tore himself away from the manse with the -most utter and apparent reluctance, and kept coming back now and again -in a way that was flattering, as well as unprecedented. And Mr. Artman -began to look at his oldest daughter with puzzled wondering eyes, with -something of pain in them—and the pancakes got better right along.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it funny how regular bishops are, when you get to know them?" -Doris said to Rosalie. "Why, I don't see any objection to them at -all—we Presbyterians might have a few of our own." Then she said, "But -between you and me, I think it is lots more fun to talk to people you -don't understand, and do not know, and—perfect strangers, you know, -who are very friendly. It is so much more thrilling."</p> - -<p>"But how could one be a perfect stranger and still be very friendly?" -laughed Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"Why, very easily indeed. You don't know him, who he is, or where he -lives, or anything—but when you are together you are great friends."</p> - -<p>"Who are you talking about?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why, anybody. Just any stranger that you do not know, but who has a -way of being very intimate."</p> - -<p>"Doris, you are dreaming," cried Rosalie. "Whoever heard of such -a thing? If you are intimate, he can't be a stranger. If you are -intimate, you've <i>got</i> to know each other."</p> - -<p>"Oh, not necessarily. Not by any means."</p> - -<p>"Well, for my part, I prefer people I know and like—people who sit -down in the big chair and read the paper and act human."</p> - -<p>Doris laughed gleefully. "I don't," she said. "For once you are more -sensible than I am. I like perfect strangers that I do not know a thing -about—but can tell from their eyes that they are good—I like people -who just flit around, and come and go—like wizards."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX</span> <span class="smaller">THE RUNAWAYS</span></h2> - -<p>Treasure and Zee were in the garage, studying history in the roomy back -seat of the red car.</p> - -<p>"Father is very pettish about some things," said Zee, suddenly banging -the covers of the history together. "Why in the world does he always -say we are too young to drive? He taught Doris, and she grips the wheel -like mad—a very unprofessional thing to do, everybody says so. And he -taught Rosalie, and she goes tearing along, smiling here and nodding -there, and nearly runs over dogs and wagons and— But he says we are too -young, though you are very cautious, and I am smart for my age. I know -perfectly well how she goes."</p> - -<p>They dropped their books on the floor and clambered over into the front -seat, Zee at the wheel.</p> - -<p>"First you turn this little business, and then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> you put this sparker -thing here, and bang down with your heel on that, and push out with -your left foot, and pull this thing back into low, and give it the gas, -and away you go, tralalalala."</p> - -<p>"That is right," said Treasure. "You do know, sure enough. I have -watched them hundreds of times."</p> - -<p>"So have I," said Zee in a discontented voice. "But that's all the -good it does. They won't let us, though we know how, perfectly well. -Treasure, don't you think maybe father would let us drive if we could -prove to him that we know how? He says we are too young to learn, but -if we show him we have learned already he certainly wouldn't have much -argument left."</p> - -<p>"Father is rather particular."</p> - -<p>"But think how useful it would be if we knew how—then if anybody -should get sick, or die in a hurry, we could rush after father in the -car, and—I am sure he would not object, if we could just show him. -Let's practise by ourselves a little, and then he won't say a word. -Think how surprised he will be."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Maybe you could not stop it."</p> - -<p>"Why, you just turn the key, that's all. It is perfectly simple. A -child could do it. Look out and see if there is any one around, will -you? I know I can do it."</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i168.jpg" alt="Why, you just turn the key, that's all" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"Why, you just turn the key, that's all"</p> - -<p>Treasure dutifully looked, and no one was in sight.</p> - -<p>"How surprised they will be. Won't we have the laugh on them when we -come driving up to the door?"</p> - -<p>So Treasure opened the door of the garage and got in beside her sister -again. Zee sat up very straight, and pursed her lips together.</p> - -<p>"First, turn the key."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>Zee turned the key.</p> - -<p>"Now put the sparker business down in the middle."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>Zee put it down.</p> - -<p>"Step on the starter."</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>Zee stepped on it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - -<p>This produced a low aimless whirr, quite powerless.</p> - -<p>"Pull up that little flooder thing," said Treasure. "Father always does -that."</p> - -<p>Zee pulled it to the tiptop, and banged her heel on the starter again. -This time the enticing tug told her the engine had caught, and was -ready for action.</p> - -<p>"Push with the left foot and put her in low," said Zee, between her -teeth.</p> - -<p>She found it took quite a vicious pull on the gears to "put her in -low." And the instant it clicked into place, the car shot forward out -of the garage with a violent pull that dashed them against the seat -and took their breath away. And there was a tearing and crashing of -wood—the garage door was none too wide—</p> - -<p>"Father's fault," shouted Zee, pulling on the wheel for dear life. -"Just splintered a little."</p> - -<p>"Slow up," cried Treasure.</p> - -<p>The car was in the main road now, swerving over the corner to the -right, which fortunately was a low grassy bank with no curbing. Zee,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -rocking dizzily in her seat, moved the wheel from side to side at such -a furious pace that she kept the car almost inside the road, and clear -of the ditches on either side.</p> - -<p>"Go slow," begged Treasure.</p> - -<p>"I can't," cried Zee. "She must be leaking."</p> - -<p>After two blocks of riotously dangerous riding, Zee remembered that -if she shoved with her left foot it did something to stop it—and she -shoved, and the engine lifted, and the car slowed down.</p> - -<p>She turned a white anxious face toward Treasure.</p> - -<p>"That was some speed," she gasped.</p> - -<p>"Watch the road, Zee. You had the gas thing in the middle instead of -the sparker thing—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, sure enough, wasn't that silly?" Zee put the hand feeder in its -proper place and prepared to start again.</p> - -<p>"I know how to drive this car—I know how, and I will do it," she said -between her teeth.</p> - -<p>She put it into low again, and started once more, very slowly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Put it into second now," suggested Treasure.</p> - -<p>Zee shoved the gear shift grimly forward—into reverse—and there was -a grinding of wheels and a curious sound of stripping gears that would -have broken the heart of an older driver.</p> - -<p>Zee discovered her mistake, and remedied it quickly, pulling the gear -into low once more, ready for a fresh start.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Zee, let me drive," begged Treasure. "I am sure I can do it."</p> - -<p>By rare good fortune, Zee succeeded in getting it into second gear, and -finally, with a tearing racket, into high, and leaned back in her seat.</p> - -<p>"This is something like, now," she panted, releasing her scarlet lip -from between her teeth.</p> - -<p>"The fender is all bent," mourned Treasure.</p> - -<p>"Oh, father'll fix it. See how well we're going now."</p> - -<p>Treasure said nothing. They were not yet home, and there was a wagon -coming toward them.</p> - -<p>Zee swung the car to the right to pass the wagon—too far—she was -fairly in the ditch at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> the side—with a wild turn of the wheel they -bumped into the road again, the fender banging the back wheel of the -wagon.</p> - -<p>"Hay, you blithering—" shouted the man angrily, and then, seeing their -predicament, he pulled off to the side of the road and turned about in -his seat staring after them.</p> - -<p>Zee, panic-stricken at the collision, lost her wits completely, and -couldn't remember how to stop it—but kept jamming desperately on the -gas feeder, harder and harder, swinging along the road, swaying from -side to side, while Treasure, with one long cry of agony slid into the -bottom of the car and clasped her hands over her ears.</p> - -<p>The car dashed madly on, and between bursts Zee pulled everything -in sight and pushed everything she could find—but that car was a -demon—it went over hills and through ditches like a thing possessed. -It swung around wagons, and ran down a flock of chickens, and—oh, -kindly Providence, which watches over straying preacher bodies—of -its own free will, though guided, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> course, by a friendly -predestination—the car went slower, and slower, with a funny choking -powerless sound quite unlike its natural brisk chug, and presently -Zee's scattered wits returned to her. She turned the key, and the car -stopped.</p> - -<p>Treasure, sobbing pitifully, untangled herself from the gears, and -stumbled out of the car.</p> - -<p>"I—drove—it," quivered Zee, and she opened the door and stepped -out—falling limply on the ground.</p> - -<p>Treasure, forgetting her own plight, ran to Zee's assistance.</p> - -<p>"Nothing at all's the matter," stammered Zee, smiling pluckily. "Just -wobbly, that's all—can't stand on myself."</p> - -<p>So Treasure sat down beside her in the road, and they had a -heart-restoring cry in each other's tender arms, the dust of the road -mingling with their bitter tears and leaving tell-tale tracks upon -their sorry faces. Zee recovered first.</p> - -<p>"Crazy old thing," she said with a vicious little kick at the bent -fender. "I always said Doris should have chosen the cow."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What shall we do now?" asked Treasure helplessly.</p> - -<p>"I am going to sit right here until father comes and finds us. Oh, -Treasure, you'd better drive it off to the side of the road—and—"</p> - -<p>"Who—me? Not on your life. I won't touch it. It is bewitched."</p> - -<p>"Somebody will run into it then. Let's push it."</p> - -<p>Treasure had serious objections even to that form of locomotion, for -she felt in her inmost soul that the only way to keep that red demon -stopped was never to give it a start. But as Zee was insistent, she -finally consented to get behind and give a grudging push. Due, however, -to the fact that it was still in gear, and the brakes were set, they -could not budge it. So they went off to the side of the road where it -could not fall on them if anybody did run into it and waited.</p> - -<p>After a time a car came along, passed by, slowed up and stopped. The -driver leaned over the door of his car and asked pleasantly:</p> - -<p>"Are you in trouble, girls? Can I help you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, no, thank you, we are waiting for father," said Zee primly.</p> - -<p>The driver regarded them curiously. "Don't you think you'd better pull -off to the side of the road a little? Pretty narrow passing there."</p> - -<p>The girls looked at the road in surprise. "Why, so it is. Isn't that -too bad?"</p> - -<p>"Can you drive off to the side?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed, father does not allow us to drive."</p> - -<p>"I'll give you a push," he said very obligingly, and came at once to -their assistance. He frowned a little when he saw the car in gear, and -the brakes set, but he released them without comment, and the girls -helping bravely, the disgraced red car was moved out of the main road.</p> - -<p>"Shall I tow you back to town?"</p> - -<p>The girls winced visibly. Be towed home in disgrace—rather would they -sit there and freeze and starve and die of hunger and thirst forever.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, thank you. We'll just wait for father."</p> - -<p>"Where is your father?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He isn't here just now," said Zee faintly.</p> - -<p>So the man drove slowly away, looking back now and then. The girls, -in spite of the dust, did not sit in the car. They would not trust -themselves alone in that car under any circumstances. Instead they went -soberly up the bank and sat down again, side by side. Once in a while -Zee wiped her pale brow wearily.</p> - -<p>"Such a life," she muttered once.</p> - -<p>"Here comes something now," said Treasure, looking hopefully down the -road toward town. "Maybe it is father."</p> - -<p>"Horseback rider."</p> - -<p>"I hope he does not offer to tow us home."</p> - -<p>"If he does, I shall tell him to mind his own business."</p> - -<p>As the rider drew near, the girls leaned forward and studied his -features.</p> - -<p>"He will laugh at us," said Treasure sadly. "That is worse than -offering to tow us home. It is that horribly sarcastic Curious Cat that -kept the Crab from arresting us when we trespassed on his ugly old -ditch."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - -<p>Zee flipped over on the ground and buried her face in her hands. "I -will not look at him. Tell him I am dead, tell him— Tell him anything, -but I can not let that hateful old thing look at me and grin."</p> - -<p>"Zee," begged Treasure, "sit up and be decent. I can't talk to him. Sit -up, and help me."</p> - -<p>Zee was obdurate. So Treasure, determined not to face the Curious Cat -without support, turned her back to the road and gazed off over the -landscape.</p> - -<p>The rider drew up beside the car, and stopped his horse. He looked -intently at the two girls, who saw him not—except from the very -tip tails of their eyes. Then he examined the car, whistling -cheerfully—and his whistle was more aggravating than his laughter, if -such a thing could be. He got off his horse presently and slipped the -bridle over a fence post. Then he carefully inspected the bent fenders, -and looked at the engine. And then—wasn't he the most infuriating -thing you ever saw in your life?—from the pocket of his riding coat -he pulled a package of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> milk chocolate, and sauntered over to the bank -where the girls still sat, oblivious of his presence. He flung himself -on the ground near them and began nibbling the chocolate.</p> - -<p>Treasure's lips trembled with the shame of it. Zee twisted the toes -of her shoes into the ground in impotent fury. The Curious Cat ate -deliberately, soulfully, complacently, and tossed his hat to the -ground, laying his head comfortably on his arm, his face toward the -girls.</p> - -<p>And to add to the insult of his presence he began humming that idiotic -little ditty about "two babes in the woods" in a soft sentimental tone.</p> - -<p>Zee stood it as long as she could. Then she sat up, seeming to blink -the sleep from her bright eyes.</p> - -<p>"Why, Treasure— Why, I <i>did</i> go to sleep, didn't I?" Then she saw him, -apparently for the first time. "Why, how do you do?" she said brightly. -"Where did you come from? I drove and drove until I was so tired—I -couldn't stand it, and so we stopped to rest."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> - -<p>She held out a cordial hand, and he took it gravely. Then Treasure -turned upon them, and said, "Why, you here? I was—enjoying -that—beautiful view."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I noticed that you were wrapped up in it. Had you a pleasant -ride?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, lovely. But I am not used to driving, and I got so tired. I don't -believe I can ever get the thing home."</p> - -<p>"Maybe your sister can—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Treasure will not drive. She is afraid of motors."</p> - -<p>"Maybe I can take you home."</p> - -<p>"Oh, we want to walk. We are so stiff from riding. But won't you please -take the car in—we feel like walking ourselves—it will do us good."</p> - -<p>He looked at them keenly. "Do you want some chocolate?"</p> - -<p>The girls accepted it gratefully.</p> - -<p>"Suppose we go on to the Haunted House, and let the old grouch give us -some tea? I feel rather weak. Don't you?" he suggested finally.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Very," they said with sincerity.</p> - -<p>"But father will find out—I mean—they will worry about us. We have -been gone—quite a while," protested Treasure.</p> - -<p>"He will not worry. He knows nobody would hurt nice little preacher -girls like you. I am willing—more than willing—to take the car home, -but I've got to find a place to leave my horse, and I've got to have -some tea. Is it a bargain or not? You come with me for tea, I take you -home—and I will try to sneak you in the back way so your father will -not catch you. But no tea, no sneak."</p> - -<p>Zee stood up. "Treasure, you may sit here and be ministerial if you -like. I want some tea."</p> - -<p>"That is something like. Now, you drive the car down the road to the -rustic gate, and—"</p> - -<p>"Who, me? I am tired of driving. I guess I won't go after all."</p> - -<p>"Well, then you girls must sit in the back seat and lead the horse. I -shall drive slowly."</p> - -<p>"I feel more like walking. I do not want to ride."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is a mile and a half, and you've got to get home some time. Don't -be silly. I know how to handle a car."</p> - -<p>So in quivering fear the girls stepped in and he gave Zee the bridle. -Then he started the car—the treacherous, ungrateful thing!—it went -off as smoothly and gently as a perfect lady. How tenderly Zee thought -at that moment of the Jersey they did not choose. Down the road they -went very slowly, then up a long winding trail among the trees by the -creek to the Haunted House, an old-fashioned rambling building with -vines and flowers running riot in every direction.</p> - -<p>"Maybe he will not like it. He has a terrible disposition, you know."</p> - -<p>"We shall charm him. He and the house are haunted, but fifty cents will -enslave them both."</p> - -<p>"Fifty cents would buy two gallons of gas," whispered Zee, shocked at -the recklessness, but even her frankness did not extend to the point -of protesting at the extravagance of a stranger—especially when she -needed tea.</p> - -<p>The Corduroy Crab greeted them as <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>unconcernedly as though they came by -invitation, and took the bridle from Zee's hand.</p> - -<p>"Sir, we had a sad accident," said the Curious Cat in a respectful -voice. "We are thirsty, tired, and—much wiser. May we have a cup of -tea on the porch in a hurry?" He slipped a half-dollar into the man's -willing hand as he spoke.</p> - -<p>The Corduroy Crab seemed not at all surprised. "Of course," he said -briefly, and led the horse away.</p> - -<p>"Now there's a gentleman," said the Curious Cat appreciatively. "Took -my money like a—preacher."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean—like a preacher?" demanded Zee resentfully.</p> - -<p>But the Curious Cat did not seem to hear, for he was piling soft -cushions into wide porch chairs where the girls might sit in comfort.</p> - -<p>A little later a black serving man came out and pulled a small table -from a corner of the porch, arranging it deftly with doilies, and in -less than five minutes the girls were eating chicken sandwiches and -drinking tea—to be sure, they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> not allowed to drink tea at home, -but Zee said truly that their nerves required something out of the -ordinary. And there was a small silver basket of chocolates on the -table—</p> - -<p>"Isn't that lucky?" said the Curious Cat, eying the candy greedily. -"It is my one and only weakness. Apart from chocolate I am free from -worldly affectations. But chocolate—I eat it with every meal, and -take a piece to bed at night. Without it I am become as a ravening -wolf and a—a thirsting camel. It does seem rather a refined and -ladylike accomplishment for one as rough and rude as I—one of the -eccentricities of Nature, who played me many pranks."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Treasure politely.</p> - -<p>"However do you suppose the Corduroy Crab—"</p> - -<p>"Zee!"</p> - -<p>"The what?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, excuse me— He won't tell, Treasure. We call him the Corduroy Crab -because he was so disagreeable, you know. I was just—"</p> - -<p>"Pardon the interruption—but do you mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> telling me by what -particular form of endearment you designate me?"</p> - -<p>"The—the Curious Cat," said Zee, though Treasure kicked her smartly -under the table. "Because you were so cattish to us, making fun of us, -and laughing. Very catty thing to do. And we added the Curious because -you really are awfully—queer, you know."</p> - -<p>"And what were you wondering about the Crab?"</p> - -<p>"I was just wondering how he comes to have things fixed so lovely? -It is wonderful here. It used to be all tumbly and crazy, and things -growing everywhere, and little funny animals and bugs shooting around -in every direction—it was awful. Father brought us once because we had -to write a theme in school—and we couldn't sleep for two nights."</p> - -<p>"It still looks wild," said Treasure softly. "But it is such a lovely -wildness—all the ugly grime is gone, and the beauty of it is more -beautiful than ever. And it doesn't make you shiver now—it only makes -you sad."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It does not make me sad," said Zee. "I am never sad when there are -chicken sandwiches. And this china— Well, I know it is better than -ours at the manse, and it was given to us by our last Christian -Endeavor, so you may know it is very nice indeed—but this is better -still—and I believe to goodness these are regular silver spoons. And -do you suppose the colored man is his servant? And hasn't he any wife? -And do you think he bought this place? I wonder where he got the money? -And why does he stay out of sight—he ought to come and eat with us, -since we are company?"</p> - -<p>The Curious Cat waved his arms helplessly. "I am trying to bring a -spirit from the air to answer your questions. But it does not work. I -am afraid I ate too many sandwiches. I never can do my enchantments -when I eat more than six sandwiches at a sitting."</p> - -<p>"I think we ought to go," said Treasure. "I am afraid we are not just -welcome. Wouldn't it be lovely to lie around here a whole day, Zee? But -we have to go."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Can you truly sneak us in without any one catching us?"</p> - -<p>"We are going to try."</p> - -<p>So they drove hurriedly home to the manse again, and the girls said -good-by to their Curious Cat and felt that after all he had his good -points. He did not say a word about the shattered door of the barn, and -the girls did not wonder until he had lifted his hat and disappeared -how he was going to get back to his horse again.</p> - -<p>They closed the doors of the barn sadly and went into the house.</p> - -<p>How quiet and cool and beautiful the manse was that afternoon. They -walked slowly, appreciatively through every room. Doris, sitting in -the bay-window with the eternal mending, was like a glorious madonna, -and they put their arms around her and kissed her tenderly, as girls -returned from a long absence. But she took it very placidly. They saw -Rosalie lying on her bed up-stairs, reading, and eating an apple. How -pretty and dear Rosalie was. They stood in the doorway and looked at -her almost worshipfully. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>Outside their father's study they stood a -long time, thinking, but went at last to their own room and closed the -door.</p> - -<p>A little later they heard their father at the telephone, asking -questions—but it was aimless conversation, they could make nothing of -it. How strange it was that they had not been missed. Such wonderful -things had happened, life had been spared to them by less than a -fraction of an inch—and here were their loved ones, Doris mending, -Rosalie eating apples, father writing a sermon—as serenely as though -two dear young daughters had not just been returned to them from the -shadow of the grave.</p> - -<p>They sat in their room, waiting, talking not at all. After a while -Doris called them to supper, and they took their places in subdued -silence. What a wonderful way father had of asking the blessing—why, -every word of it seemed to call down a benediction on every one at the -table. And how good the dinner was—they were not hungry, but it was -delicious food, unbelievably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> well cooked. And Doris in the big kitchen -apron was exquisite.</p> - -<p>When they reached dessert, Zee rose to the height of public confession.</p> - -<p>"Father, Treasure and I—and principally I, for I did it—were very -naughty. We took the car out of the garage, and smashed the door -getting it out, and we drove into the country and nearly killed horses -and wagons and autos and ran into ditches and bent the fenders and ran -down a lot of chickens, and got stuck, and a man brought us home. We -are very sorry."</p> - -<p>How calmly they took it!—a climactic, criminal thing like that—after -all, they were rather a sordid family.</p> - -<p>Father looked at the girls soberly, noted their pale faces, the dark -circles under their weary eyes.</p> - -<p>"I know it," he said at last gravely.</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, you knew it—and you didn't try to find us?" There was -pain and reproach in Treasure's voice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I knew all that was happening," he said quickly, with a reassuring -smile at Treasure. "Mr. Smelton telephoned that he helped you to the -side of the road—that was the first we knew of it. And a little later -some one else—I did not just get the name—but he telephoned that he -was giving you some tea, and you were quite safe, and he was going to -bring you home."</p> - -<p>"It was that Curious Cat— You know, Doris, the one who made the -Corduroy Crab be good to us—"</p> - -<p>"The Curious Cat? Oh, father, what was his name?" cried Doris, leaning -way over the table in her eagerness.</p> - -<p>"It sounded like—Saunders—something like Saunders—"</p> - -<p>"Saunders, nothing," cried Zee. "Saunders is the Corduroy Crab—we -heard that. Oh, it must have been him who phoned—"</p> - -<p>"He."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he. Because the Curious Cat was not away long enough—he just -left a minute—to see about the horse."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And then he told Saunders to telephone—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course."</p> - -<p>Doris sat back. "The old torment. How can anybody find out about such a -curious old—Curious Cat?" she wondered to herself.</p> - -<p>In answer to her questions, the girls could tell little.</p> - -<p>"He does not live at the Haunted House, just the Corduroy Crab—and -the—the—"</p> - -<p>"The Courteous Coon," cried Zee. "Let's stick to our harmony."</p> - -<p>"They live there, and the Curious Cat lives somewhere very near—and -things are lovely at the Haunted House, there are flowers on the porch, -and pictures, and curtains—did you ever hear of such a thing? Soft -brown curtains of silk rubbery stuff—and it is lovely. And the vines -are all red and gold, and the ground is a mass of fallen leaves."</p> - -<p>"Father, please tell us the punishment. It gives you such an—empty -feeling to have—unknown punishments hanging over your head."</p> - -<p>"Oh, the punishment," he said, and started<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> promptly for the door. -"That is why we have a General. Leave it to her."</p> - -<p>The girls turned appealing faces toward Doris. "Tell us, General," they -said, in the tone of martyrdom.</p> - -<p>"You can not ride in the car again for three whole weeks. When the rest -of us drive, you two must walk. And that is all—for you have had quite -a little punishment already."</p> - -<p>The girls thanked her warmly, and went out. In the hall they looked at -each other lovingly, and smiled.</p> - -<p>"Isn't that ducky?" said Zee. "It is not any punishment at all. Somehow -since this afternoon the smell of the engine makes me seasick."</p> - -<p>Treasure quivered. "Ducky? Oh, Zee, it is delicious. Suppose she had -made us ride all day to-morrow. I couldn't have stood it."</p> - -<p>"Anyhow, I guess I proved that I can drive the car," said Zee stoutly. -"Only, of course, since father does not wish me to, I shall never think -of doing it until I am older."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X</span> <span class="smaller">MR. WIZARD</span></h2> - -<p>Doris had taken a sudden and unaccountable predilection for morning -strolls. The family did not understand it, for she had always been -partial to her final morning nap. She did not neglect her work, no -indeed, she was getting up early, very ridiculously early—at five -o'clock!—and then going around for a jaunt all by herself wherever -fancy prompted.</p> - -<p>To herself Doris admitted candidly that she wanted to see that awfully -aggravating Curious Cat, as she called him to herself, though she -reproved the twins very seriously for the disrespectfulness of it. But -she did not see him. She walked east, west, north and south, but he -remained hidden from view.</p> - -<p>She did not forget that twice he had appeared to the girls in the -neighborhood of the erstwhile Haunted House. But it was too far—she -could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> not walk there, however much she wished to do so. Then came a -sudden idea. She would take a morning drive, instead of a stroll—and -she might, if necessary, walk along the creek herself in search of wild -flowers— Of course, it was too late for wild flowers, far too late—but -anyhow one never could tell what one might find.</p> - -<p>So the very next morning, dimply with the delight of it, she took the -car and drove gleefully out to the lovely hickory grove, and ran the -car deliberately up beside the road, and waited. No Mr. Wizard gloomed -on the horizon. Not even a Corduroy Crab came crashing through the -fallen leaves which blanketed the ground around her. So she got out of -the car, climbed through the fence, and sauntered comfortably along by -the creek, under the big bare trees. Still no angry keeper dashed out -upon her. She took small pebbles and tossed them into the trees to see -the squirrels go scampering—nobody minded in the least. It was very -annoying—like everything else connected with that Curious Cat.</p> - -<p>She was very near the Haunted House now, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> near she could not go any -farther. Even a wilful and deliberate trespasser could not walk right -into the very doors of an irate proprietor.</p> - -<p>She was quite vexed. Why did he claim to be a wizard, and boast of -fairy powers, if he could not see there was a damsel out in search of -him? She turned and walked briskly back down the creek toward the road. -Putting her hands on the top rail of the low fence, she vaulted lightly -over, and cried out in surprise and fear.—The car was gone.</p> - -<p>She had left it there, not fifteen minutes ago. She could not be -dreaming—there were the broad smooth tracks in the dust. Some one had -stolen the dear, darling little car.</p> - -<p>"Now every one will say I should have chosen the cow," she thought -bitterly.</p> - -<p>Doris was several miles from home, and it was breakfast time. They -would know that she was out for her silly morning walk—and when father -found the car gone it would be apparent she had gone for a drive -instead. Oh, dear—it was a long way, and very hot, and dusty—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -she was so unhappy. And it was only natural to blame it all on that -perfectly disgusting Curious Cat, who should have been there, and was -not.</p> - -<p>Because she was angry, the first mile passed quickly. But neither anger -nor grief shortened the second mile, nor the third, nor the fourth. -Then she got a ride with a friendly farmer, who openly marveled at -her being in the country so early in the morning. But Doris was not -communicative. They were preachers, of course, but if they wanted to be -in the country, they could be—and the whole neighborhood did not need -to know the wherefore. At eight o'clock she marched grimly into the -manse, and found the family at breakfast.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you runaway," laughed Rosalie. "I had a terrible time getting -breakfast. Aren't you a good housekeeper—not a bit of flour in the -house and the cream sour."</p> - -<p>"Give me coffee," said Doris, sitting down wearily and resting her -elbows on the table. "Black coffee, strong coffee, lots of it, no sugar -and no cream."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why, you poor dear, you are tired," said Rosalie in her softest, most -gurgly voice. "Let me make some fresh toast."</p> - -<p>"No toast—just coffee—but lots of it."</p> - -<p>"I always said it was silly, walking around without breakfast. I told -you that before. You look positively yellow."</p> - -<p>"Dust."</p> - -<p>"At the least, you should choose a cool and shady street," said her -father. "You look jaded, dear. I am afraid it is too much for you."</p> - -<p>"I <i>am</i> jaded. Father, my poor dear father, be prepared for a bitter -blow."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"The car, the beautiful red car that dear Mr. Davison left you, is -stolen."</p> - -<p>"Stolen!"</p> - -<p>"The car?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris, I'll bet you had a wreck."</p> - -<p>"What happened?"</p> - -<p>"I went for a drive instead of a walk, and I left the car just to walk -through the woods a little—and when I came back it was gone."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Gone!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris! You would not let us ride for three weeks, and now it is -gone and we can never ride again—the dear darling precious little car."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, girls, if it is gone, no use to worry."</p> - -<p>"Every one said we were foolish not to take the cow in the first place."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, please don't throw that up to me," said Doris tearfully. -"I loved it too much, I was just crazy about it, I thought of it day -and night. Maybe it is a punishment, I suppose it is. And it is all my -fault, for I did adore it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, Doris. I am sure that had nothing to do with it. You know we -preachers do not have many of these physical, sensational joys—and the -car has been an ecstasy for every one of us. I am sure an understanding -Providence has rejoiced in our pleasure, and not begrudged us a second -of it."</p> - -<p>"Why should <i>our</i> car be stolen?" wailed Zee. "Why couldn't it have -been a banker's, who could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> buy another? Or a bad man's, who did not -deserve one anyhow? Or a sick man's, who couldn't enjoy it? Why is it -always we preachers who get the raw deal?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Zee!"</p> - -<p>"I had several perfectly lovely things I wanted to do with the car," -said Rosalie regretfully. "I am sorry I put them off from day to day."</p> - -<p>Treasure slipped away from the table and out of the room. She had -uttered no protest. She had made no complaint. But she crept sadly out -to the garage—she wanted to sit down in the dust where the dear red -car had been of yore, and weep over the spot, as at the passing of a -dear companion.</p> - -<p>She opened the door with hands that trembled—and stopped aghast. Her -lips parted several times, and she uttered a curious sputtering gasp. -The red car was right there where it belonged—it was not stolen at -all. Doris was out of her mind!</p> - -<p>She walked slowly, dimly back to the manse,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> her eyes swimming. Poor -Doris—she had walked too far and too fast. Treasure entered the -dining-room, pale, with eyes still clouded.</p> - -<p>"I am so sorry," Doris was saying. "I know you are all very angry at -me, and I do not blame you."</p> - -<p>"Where did you leave the car?"</p> - -<p>Doris blushed. She could not admit to keen-witted Zee that she had -deliberately gone to their Haunted House in the hickory grove.</p> - -<p>"Oh, out in the country about six miles—along the Emery Road."</p> - -<p>Treasure threw out both hands, and her lips parted spasmodically.</p> - -<p>"She is having a nightmare," said Zee, staring at her sister.</p> - -<p>"Is the garage gone, too?" demanded Rosalie.</p> - -<p>Treasure's lips parted again, but no sound came.</p> - -<p>"Shake her, father. She is having a spell or something."</p> - -<p>"Out of her mind," said Treasure, at last, with a violent effort.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> - -<p>The family gazed upon her, speechless.</p> - -<p>"Car's in the garage," she stammered. "Isn't gone—at all."</p> - -<p>With one accord they arose from their chairs and made a united dash on -the garage. It was quite true, the car was there, shiny and serene, in -its accustomed place. They gazed on it silently as Treasure had done, -and then they turned to Doris, wide-eyed and horrified.</p> - -<p>"You're off," said Zee succinctly.</p> - -<p>"It was a dream, dearest," said Rosalie, slipping a tender arm around -her sister's shoulders. "You haven't been well lately."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, Doris. It must have been a dream."</p> - -<p>"It was not a dream. I was away out in the country by the hickory -grove of the twins' Haunted House—I left the car and walked along the -creek—"</p> - -<p>"Did you see the Corduroy Crab?" asked Treasure eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Maybe he lammed her on the head," said Zee, touching her own curly -brow suggestively.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I did not see any one. And I went right back to the road— You know I -couldn't go way out there on foot, father."</p> - -<p>"You must have been walking in your sleep, dear," said Rosalie. "Maybe -you only dreamed you were there. You are home now, anyhow, and the car -is here, and everything is all right."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie, do you think I am out of my head?" demanded Doris sharply.</p> - -<p>"I think it was a bad dream, dearest."</p> - -<p>"Come on back to the house," said their father pleasantly. "Be glad the -car is here."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet the old place <i>is</i> haunted, and they've put a spell on Doris. -Maybe it was the Curious Cat—he says he can put charms," suggested Zee.</p> - -<p>Doris smiled at that. As far as she could see, it was the only -explanation possible—the Curious Cat had certainly put his charm upon -her.</p> - -<p>She was very cross at Rosalie—for Rosalie insisted that Doris lie -down, and she herself stayed at home from school to do the work, and -father sat by the cot all morning—it was perfectly infuriating. They -looked at her with <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>tender solicitude, and Rosalie made more hot -coffee for her, and bathed her brow every few minutes, and Doris fumed -impotently. For she was helpless. Father had said, "I think you'd -better, dearest," and when father said things in that quiet settled -voice even the General refrained from argument.</p> - -<p>But to lie there like an invalid—when she had only been on the trail -of mystery and— She had found mystery, though! She could swear by her -life's blood that she had driven the car out to the hickory grove. And -she had certainly walked home. But how in the world came the car safely -back in the manse garage? It was more than Doris could understand.</p> - -<p>When the girls came home to lunch they kissed Doris tenderly and spoke -to her in a softly soothing way that made her long to shake them. When -they were eating their lunch Zee was called to the telephone, and she -crossed the room on tiptoes, and whispered "Yes," very softly, and then -she gave a little scream.</p> - -<p>"You—did?—Mercy! Well, thank goodness!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> Oh, you horrible thing, won't -Doris rage?—Why, no, Mr. Curious Cat, your charm did not work worth -a cent. It was not Treasure and I at all. It was Doris, and the poor -thing had to walk all the way home, and she is in bed, and we thought -she was out of her mind, and she said the car was stolen." She hung up -the receiver abruptly, and did not hear the sharp exclamations at the -other end of the wire.</p> - -<p>Doris rose from the cot, and the family rushed from the table.</p> - -<p>"Tell it, and talk fast," commanded the General.</p> - -<p>Zee flung herself into a big chair and rocked and screamed with -laughter. "Oh, Treasure, we are even with the Curious Cat at last." -Then wiping her eyes, and between bursts of laughter, she explained. -"He began talking in that sarcastic smart little way he has, and he -said, 'Say, Miss Zee, the next time I find that red car of yours stuck -in front of my house I am going to take it as a gift from Heaven, and -keep it. But this time, just to be friendly and keep you out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> a -scrape, I drove it home for you and left it in your garage. I suppose -you were playing hooky, and got stuck. Did I save you? I shall never do -it again.'"</p> - -<p>How they all laughed, even Doris, and how heartily she ate of the -luncheon Rosalie had prepared, and what a splendid joke it was— Only -Doris did wish she had just remained in the car instead of strolling up -the creek—he was such a funny Curious Cat—maybe—Oh, then he did own -the Haunted House, after all!</p> - -<p>"He was teasing you girls again," she cried. "The Crab and the -Courteous Coon must be his servants, for he said you left the car in -front of <i>his</i> house."</p> - -<p>Then the girls were freshly indignant—pretending he was getting tea -from the Crab, when it was his own tea, and he could give it away if he -wished! But it was funny anyhow, and now he was a more Curious Cat than -ever.</p> - -<p>That afternoon, when the girls had gone to school, deciding that Doris -could safely be left alone now—and when father had gone calling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -Doris hurried up-stairs and arranged her hair in most enticing little -curls around her forehead, and put on her very daintiest, bluest, -floweriest dress—because he was in honor bound to call her up and -make apology. Oh, of course, he would not see the enticing curls, -and the dainty blue flowery dress—but it was a great moral support -to know that she looked irreproachable, even when none was there -to see. And she wanted to be very clever and interesting over the -telephone—because—he really had done a very disagreeable thing, and -she wanted to make him sorry.</p> - -<p>And then he did not telephone at all. He came himself—in person—and -Doris knew some kindly angel had been guiding her actions that -day. When she heard the ring she went to the door so lightly, so -unconcernedly, sure it was something trivial and some one unimportant. -And there he stood, smiling at her, regret in his eyes.</p> - -<p>"I brought my apology with me. May I come in and deliver it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, please do. I know where you live, and that is a beginning, isn't -it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How did you learn that?"</p> - -<p>"You said the car was in front of your house. And it was the Haunted -House," she cried gleefully.</p> - -<p>"Did you really have to walk home?"</p> - -<p>"Four miles and a half." Somehow it did not seem half so long and weary -a way now as it had been seeming all the day. "And I was sure the car -was stolen. And when we found it in the garage they thought I was ill -and put me to bed, and Rosalie stayed home from school to nurse me."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry. It was terribly stupid of me. I was sure the girls were in -another scrape, and when the car stuck on them had got a ride back to -school. It was a terrible blunder."</p> - -<p>"I am glad of it now, because it brought you to visit me."</p> - -<p>And he seemed in not the least bit of hurry, but settled back and -talked, and he had a wonderful basket of fruit, apples and grapes -and golden pears, and he hoped Doris would accept them in token of -forgiveness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But when you tell your father, will he ask who brought them?"</p> - -<p>"I shall just say the Curious Cat brought them to apologize—and father -is not a bit inquisitive. He will think it is quite all right—he has -the dearest way of thinking things are quite all right."</p> - -<p>Doris did long to know how old he was—of course she could not ask—he -surely was not nearly so old as father, yet he did not look young. The -college men of Rosalie's favor looked like children beside him. And he -talked like a man who knew things. But he could not be old—he laughed -so readily, and teased so constantly, and his eyes were so friendly and -warm. Father was forty-three, and forty-three is very terribly old when -one is twenty.</p> - -<p>They had tea together—on the Endeavor china. He was much more fun -than the bishop. And in spite of the very-close-to-gray-hairs at -his temples, he had a dear boyish way of settling back in a chair -and getting himself comfortable and happy. And when you see another -thoroughly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> comfortable and happy right at your side, you are bound to -feel the same way yourself. And Doris did.</p> - -<p>After she had watched his departure from the shelter of the front -window, she came back into the room, and there on the card tray—how in -the world it got there she could not imagine—but she knew instantly it -was his card—and she pounced upon it eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Daniel Amberton MacCammon."</p> - -<p>After all, the name meant nothing. And there was so much she wished to -know. His age, and who he was, and why he came there, and what in the -world he was doing in the Haunted House, and—oh, a thousand things.</p> - -<p>But Doris looked at the card in a friendly companionable way, and said, -in her softest and chummiest voice:</p> - -<p>"Honestly, I like you."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI</span> <span class="smaller">THE PHILOSOPHER</span></h2> - -<p>"Now, Doris," began Rosalie briskly, "you must help decide my life -career. They gave us a fine talk at chapel this morning, urging us to -spot our high ambitions for guiding stars to work toward. Of course, we -can change our minds later on if we like, we are not to be irrevocably -bound to what we say, but no student 'can plan most wisely and most -surely for the future, without a pole star ever shining in his mind's -eye,'" she quoted patly. "Now, what are my ambitions?"</p> - -<p>"Mercy, Rosalie, you know your ambitions better than I do," said -Doris, as earnestly as though the same subject had not been discussed -regularly ever since Rosalie was a freshman.</p> - -<p>"I think I was born for the stage, barring the one accident of the -ministry. But since that avenue of fame is closed, what shall I -do? Shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> I be a teacher—and if so, a teacher of what? I am not -particularly clever, you know."</p> - -<p>"You are very clever, indeed, and I think you would be a wonderful -teacher."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, but I have neither patience nor dignity, and all authorities -agree that they are prime requisites."</p> - -<p>"You can be as patient and dignified as anybody if you want to. And -you are tactful and pleasant, both good teaching qualities. I suppose -you do not feel particularly drawn to any religious work, missionary, -or—or pastor's assistant, or anything like that?"</p> - -<p>"I am interested in gymnasium work," said Rosalie. "It seems my -only forte. I am very good at all outdoor sports, and I have a fine -physique, and adore exercise."</p> - -<p>"That would be nice."</p> - -<p>"Some places I might have to teach dancing. I could handle it as one -form of physical development, and if the naughty things took it into -the ballroom it wouldn't be my fault, would it?"</p> - -<p>"Not—exactly—I suppose."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But I ought to have an extra year for special study somewhere after I -finish college. Do you suppose we could manage it, father?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman looked up from his mail absently. "Yes, dear, what? I am -afraid I was not paying attention." His eyes wandered back to the -letter in his hand.</p> - -<p>Rosalie promptly deposited herself on his knee, pulling his arms around -her.</p> - -<p>"Doris has just decided that I would be a lovely athletic director -for girls if I could have a year of special training after college. -Prospects, please?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe we could arrange it—I hope so. It would be fine. But—things -might interfere."</p> - -<p>"Always granted, of course, dearest, but am I justified in saying it is -my present plan if things do not interfere?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, to be sure, but—remember—plans have a way of going astray, -dear."</p> - -<p>"Why, father, that does not sound like you."</p> - -<p>"I know, forgive me, but I do not feel like myself to-day. Look ahead -to it, Rosalie, by all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> means, and count on it, and if it is right for -you, it will come."</p> - -<p>"That is the way for a preacher to talk," said Rosalie. "Then it is all -settled, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>She ran back to her chair, and her father turned anxious eyes on the -letter again. He did not notice that his girls looked at him often, -and very wonderingly. Presently he went to the telephone and put in a -long-distance call to Chicago. Two years previous he had taken a course -of study at the seminary in Chicago, and ever since had made frequent -appointments with Doctor Hancock necessitating hurried trips to the -city.</p> - -<p>"Some old 'prof' at the seminary, I suppose," Doris said lightly. -"They won't let us preachers settle down and preach and be comfortable -nowadays. They keep us up and coming every minute, studying this and -studying that, and then practising what we study on the public. It is -no easy matter being a preacher any more."</p> - -<p>And so, although the Chicago trips had grown more and more frequent, -Doris gave them small heed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> - -<p>But after her father had left the house the next morning, she walked -soberly up-stairs to where Rosalie was dressing for school and said, -"Rosalie, I hate to push my worries on to you, but—does—father act -funny some way? Or do I imagine it? He seems so serious and anxious."</p> - -<p>"He has been rather quiet lately," said Rosalie slowly.</p> - -<p>"I am sure he is not well. I wish he did not take these Chicago trips -so often. I think they expect entirely too much of us preachers. He is -always tired and worried when he gets home. If we had a bishop, I think -I should report it."</p> - -<p>Rosalie said nothing.</p> - -<p>Both girls watched their father closely when he returned home late that -night. He was tired indeed, and his eyes were darkly circled. He did -not laugh so freely as usual at their merry chatter, and though he was -tender with them as always, he seemed distrait and absent-minded, which -was not like him. And Doris pondered over it anxiously.</p> - -<p>The next morning he came down-stairs <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>wearing wide amber glasses, -"which," he explained apologetically, "I am not wearing for style, I -assure you, but the light seems rather too much for me. I think it -causes the headaches."</p> - -<p>The girls had great fun with the amber glasses, shaking their heads -sadly over his worldliness, for every one knew that amber glasses were -fashionable. But after that, he always wore them except when he went -into the pulpit.</p> - -<p>Two days later, when he came in to lunch, his face was as bright and -smiling as it had been in the olden days when his laughter had been as -spontaneous as Rosalie's or Zee's. He began talking, boyishly, before -he reached his chair at the table, and the girls smiled happily at his -cheerfulness.</p> - -<p>"I met a very clever man down-town to-day, and had quite a talk with -him. He is an author—a psychologist and philosopher—he wrote all -those books I have been so interested in lately. Very entertaining -fellow, and so I invited him to dinner to-night."</p> - -<p>"Good night, nurse," gasped Doris. "You <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>invited an author and a -psychologist and a philosopher to dinner to-night?"</p> - -<p>"Only one, Doris," he explained patiently.</p> - -<p>"Father, there is something the matter with you. First you -flash a bishop on us in the middle of the night, and now a -psychologist-philosopher combination. Whatever in the world do you -suppose he eats?"</p> - -<p>"Cheer up," said Rosalie. "He is a philosopher, remember, so he will be -satisfied with what he gets. Food, nowadays, is the greatest test of -human philosophy."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he is all right. I am sure he eats regular things. He has bought a -place out here to do his work—close to his publishers in Chicago, and -far enough out to be isolated when he is on a book. It will be a great -treat for me to have him here." He looked at Doris reflectively. "Let's -have a good dinner, regardless of the cost, and, Doris, I hope you—I -mean, I hope all of you—will look your very sweetest and act your very -dearest."</p> - -<p>"Is he married?" demanded Zee. "I believe on my soul you have a scheme -to marry one of us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> off to him. Doris, I suppose, for I am too young, -and Treasure is too good, and Rosalie is too frivolous."</p> - -<p>"Does he write fairy stories, or—"</p> - -<p>"He does not write fairy stories, but I believe he tells them -sometimes," laughed their father. "And I have no matrimonial designs on -him, I assure you, but I want him to be our friend. It will be a great -pleasure to me, and a great help—and I need both."</p> - -<p>Doris and Rosalie looked swiftly at each other at that, but neither -made any comment. When Mr. Artman had gone up-stairs, still laughing -with satisfaction, the four of them put their heads together.</p> - -<p>"Let's think up a dinner fit for a—fit for a—"</p> - -<p>"A pope," suggested Zee.</p> - -<p>"Zee, I am surprised at you. Fit for a president."</p> - -<p>"Since father said spare no expense, I say fried chicken, and I want -the wishbone."</p> - -<p>"A good idea. We'll have fried chicken. Now what else?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Let's do it up in style, and have courses. Treasure can wait on the -table without spilling things, and then come quietly to her place -without banging chairs. Soup—"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then chicken, mashed potatoes, and—"</p> - -<p>"Corn fritters—I've been asking for corn fritters for six weeks."</p> - -<p>"Well, corn fritters. Salad—"</p> - -<p>"Olives are easy, and—"</p> - -<p>"No, let's have a salad like regular folks. Mrs. Andrieson makes lovely -thousand island dressing, and I have only one recitation this afternoon -so I'll just run down after class and get her to show me how. Then -we'll have head lettuce with the dressing, and—"</p> - -<p>"And coffee with whipped cream, and—"</p> - -<p>"For dessert—"</p> - -<p>"Ice-cream. If I do any baking I'll be too hot to look nice. Treasure, -you run over to Wilcot's and get a quart of milk and a pint of cream -and a half pint of whipping cream, and Rosalie you call up the ice -company and have them leave a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> dime's worth of ice on the first -delivery without fail, and I'll freeze it first thing. And, Rosalie, I -leave the salad entirely to you."</p> - -<p>"I will go to Benson's after school and get some flowers," said -Treasure. "Mrs. Benson is always glad to give me the carnations that -are not fresh enough to sell, but too good to throw away. And we can -pick out the best ones."</p> - -<p>"Isn't that grand? Won't father be pleased?"</p> - -<p>"And what shall we wear?"</p> - -<p>This brought forth a prolonged and heated discussion of ribbons and -gowns, for father had said to look their sweetest and act their -dearest—and being girls, they knew the latter was impossible except -when the former had been accomplished. Finally all was arranged, and -the dresses were laid out nicely on their various beds, and Treasure -was given a quarter to buy a new blue ribbon because she got oil on -the old one sticking her head under the car to see what father was -doing. And the girls rushed excitedly to school, to tell their friends -carelessly that they had to hurry home to-night and could not stop to -study Latin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> en masse, for "Father has invited a perfectly enormous -author and psychologist and all that to dinner." And although none of -them had a very clear idea what kind of a psychologist he was, or what -he did, or why he was so perfectly enormous, the very meagerness of -their information added luster to his halo.</p> - -<p>The table that night was a dream of loveliness, and the girls had -everything ready and were up-stairs taking a last final reconnoiter -of their physical charms when they heard their father greeting the -perfectly enormous guest.</p> - -<p>They filed down breathlessly, eyes bright with anticipation, their -hearts palpitating with the unwonted glory of it. And then—</p> - -<p>"Why, it is only the Curious Cat," ejaculated Zee.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Wizard," gasped Doris. "Father, you knew it all the time."</p> - -<p>"Well, I am glad my girls have been encroaching on your hospitality, -Mr. MacCammon, for otherwise we might not have the privilege of -extending ours to you now."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. MacCammon held Doris' hand warmly in his. "I hope the charm has -not all gone with the mystery," he said. "I was ashamed to conceal my -identity any longer, and besides I wished to see more of you, and I -wanted to know your father. But if you have lost all interest in me -now, I know I shall wish I had not come at all."</p> - -<p>"I haven't—it isn't—not by any means," stammered Doris nervously, and -hurried away to the kitchen to look after the dinner.</p> - -<p>Oh, but wasn't she glad father had stipulated they should spare no -expense? It was a wonderful, delicious dinner, and when he turned from -gay banter with Rosalie and Zee, to real intense discussion with her -father, and always bending warm and friendly eyes on her—really, it -was too good to be true.</p> - -<p>"But I always said I liked him," she told herself, comfortably.</p> - -<p>After that he came often to the manse, and many times he took them all -out to the Haunted House, where Mr. Artman was immediately lost in the -depths of huge volumes, and where <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>Treasure and Zee wandered off to -look for baby rabbits with the Corduroy Crab, who wasn't a bit crabbish -any more, and where Rosalie flung herself into a big hammock with a -plate of fruit and a chatty story—and what could he do, as host, but -entertain Doris, who was left without other form of amusement?</p> - -<p>"Oh, but you wait till the bishop comes," Rosalie whispered to Doris, -when they were safe in the manse again. "What will he say to these -carryings on? Your very own bishop—"</p> - -<p>"He is not my very own bishop. And if he is, I will not have him. And -it certainly is nothing to the bishop if father has a friend."</p> - -<p>"I do not imagine the dear bishop cares two cents how many friends -father has. But what your bishop will say to you is more than I can -imagine. And who but a serious sensible girl would ever dream of -bandying with a bishop? Frivolous and all as I am, General, I should -never be guilty of trifling with a bishop's affections."</p> - -<p>"He hasn't any."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, he has. He has oceans of them. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> what difference does it -make to you how many affections he has?"</p> - -<p>"No difference at all," admitted Doris, laughing. And she added, -flushing a little, but still laughing, "But I should really like to -know whether—father's friend—has any."</p> - -<p>And then she ran away, before Rosalie could catch and shake her.</p> - -<p>The Chicago trips were very frequent now, and in spite of his evident -pleasure in the new and brilliant friend, Mr. Artman grew more -preoccupied. Sometimes Doris could hear him pacing up and down his room -at night, when he should have been asleep. And very often he pushed his -plate away from him at the table, and could not eat, although Doris -had patiently and painstakingly prepared the dishes he loved best. And -every day he spoke of little headaches, and kept the blinds lowered in -his room, working with the amber glasses. And many times, when they -thought he was working, he was sitting at his desk with his head in his -arms.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, I can't stand it," Doris cried at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> last. "I know there is -something wrong with father. But some way—I can't ask him. I am afraid -to. I know he is sick."</p> - -<p>"No, he is not sick, Doris. I know what it is."</p> - -<p>"Rosalie!"</p> - -<p>"One day I got a Chicago city directory—oh, long ago, when he first -began making these trips to see Doctor Hancock—I got a directory, and -looked the doctor up. He is not a minister, as you thought. He is an -oculist."</p> - -<p>"Father's eyes!"</p> - -<p>"Yes. And last week I wrote to the doctor myself, and told him we -were worried about father, and asked him to tell me. He says father's -eyes are very bad, and he must have an operation as soon as possible. -It should have been done some time ago, but father has been putting -it off. And the doctor says by all means he should rest his eyes for -several months, a year if possible, without using them one little bit."</p> - -<p>For a moment all the bright room went swimming before Doris. Then she -cried out, in pain and self-reproach.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh Rosalie, I was happy myself, and I forgot to look after father. It -was you who thought of him."</p> - -<p>"That is nothing. Do you remember, Doris, away last fall, when you said -I must begin to solve my problems for myself? I have been trying to, -that is all. And father is one of them. Somehow, as long as I could -throw my worries off on you and father, I was glad to do it, and did -not care what came of it. But when you put things squarely up to me, -I found to my surprise that I had a sort of personal pride that kept -pulling me up to the mark. You were pretty slick, General. And so I -have been sort of looking ahead, and trying to help plan for father."</p> - -<p>"I am going to have it out with him right now. He shan't bear it alone -any longer."</p> - -<p>She went softly up-stairs, and into her father's room, which was always -in shadow now, although Doris in her happiness had thought nothing of -it, and crept very quietly into her father's arms.</p> - -<p>"Let's talk it over, father. How soon do you plan to have the operation -on your eyes? Is <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>Doctor Hancock the very best you can get? Tell me -what arrangements you have made."</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i222.jpg" alt="Let's talk it over, father" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"Let's talk it over, father"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris," he cried brokenly, dropping his head on her arm and -holding her very close, "do you know? I have tried so hard to tell -you—but I hadn't the heart. Yes, let's talk it over." And then, in -quick broken sentences, without a trace of bitterness, he told her how -his eyes had been growing constantly weaker and weaker, and how the -doctor had tried in every way to strengthen them and to arrest the -trouble, but now the operation was unavoidable and could not be put -off long, and it would mean so many months of idleness—and how could -he preach without his eyes? And he was too young to be "supered"—how -could he step aside for the rest of his life? And how could he rest, -with four young girls to keep going?</p> - -<p>Talking it over was a comfort. His voice grew gradually firmer and his -face brighter. Now that he had the bright eyes of Doris beside him, -blindness seemed more remote, and more impossible. New strength came to -him from her vivid warm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> vitality. And in trying to buoy her with hope, -hope came to him also. Two hours they sat there, just talking, saying -again and again that there was a way, only they did not see it—not -just yet.</p> - -<p>"I am going to tell the girls, father. They are old enough—and it -will hurt them to be shut out of what touches you so closely. And -Rosalie—father, Rosalie is coming out just fine."</p> - -<p>Quickly she told him of Rosalie's way of finding out, and of her quiet -confident facing of facts—so unlike the problematic butterfly they had -worried over so many, many times.</p> - -<p>"Send her up to me, will you? I think she will do me good." And while -Rosalie was with her father Doris told Treasure and Zee.</p> - -<p>"Just be quiet about it to-night. After a while it will come natural. -But we must not talk much, for father feels very badly. Just let him -see that we are sorry—and we must all be very positive there is a -grand way out for us, and we must find it."</p> - -<p>There had never been such sweet and tender harmony in the manse as on -that night—the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>sorrow falling on each one alike drew them very close -together. And when they went to bed at last, each one in characteristic -way thanked God that there were five to bear the hurt, for grief -divided by five, after all, is only one-fifth a grief.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII</span> <span class="smaller">FINDING THE PATH</span></h2> - -<p>That Mr. MacCammon had suspected the trouble long before he was told of -it did not surprise them at all. Somehow they always expected the most -unexpected things of him. And he entered into their plans naturally and -helpfully, as became one who boasted fairy powers.</p> - -<p>"I have a grand idea," announced Doris. "I thought of it just as Mr. -MacCammon came in. Not that he has anything to do with it—but the -sight of him inspired me."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and what is the grand idea?" urged her father, who knew from of -old that her ideas were always well worth considering.</p> - -<p>"There is only one month of school before vacation, and then we will be -a united family to handle you—and fathers take a lot of handling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> you -know. Now, I think you should ask for your vacation right away—on full -pay, you understand—and go to Chicago and have the operation at once. -Then by the time school is out the worst will be over. It will be quite -easy to fill the pulpit now, because the town will be full of ministers -here for commencement, and the trustees' meeting, and such things, and -they will be glad to preach when they find how father is taking his -vacation."</p> - -<p>"A good idea, as you say. And it will be a relief to have it over. -Maybe I can arrange—"</p> - -<p>"You needn't arrange anything. Leave it to me. I shall go to the -president of the college, and put up a scheme with him—when ministers -come visiting he will tip me off, and I shall personally invite them to -preach. Leave it to me."</p> - -<p>"But suppose you should miss a meeting?"</p> - -<p>"If she does, I shall give them a lecture on the psychology of -religion. I can tell them a few things that are not mentioned in the -Bible, but can help to make them better Christians none the less," -offered Mr. MacCammon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You should not suppose such things anyhow, father, it isn't -ministerial. But since you hesitate to trust me alone, maybe you can -let Providence and me together assume the responsibility with Mr. -MacCammon to back us up."</p> - -<p>"That puts it on a firm foundation, at least. In the meantime I shall -use my eyes as little as possible—"</p> - -<p>"Not at all! Rest them absolutely," said Mr. MacCammon quickly. "Get -them in good shape for the operation. Wear the biggest, blackest -glasses you can get, and do not look at a paper or book. Do not even -touch your Bible."</p> - -<p>"I know my Bible pretty well, and I can <i>think</i> my Scripture. But I -shall miss the head-lines."</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, let me read the paper to you every morning. I am a -good reader," cried Rosalie. "I come out strong on the right words, -everybody says so."</p> - -<p>"The problem will be afterward. How can I preach those weeks when I can -not study?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, we've been scheming," cried Doris. "Rosalie and I got out -the barrel of old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> sermons you had at Delta before we came here, and we -sorted over the outlines and picked out a lot of good ones, and—you -can preach from those this summer. You tell the rest, Rosalie—it is -your contribution."</p> - -<p>"Well, father," she said shyly, "when I knew about your eyes I began to -get ready to help. For I knew Doris would have the family to manage, -and that I was the proper one to stand with you. And so I took a lot of -special courses in Bible study and practical Christianity and social -service stuff, and I can look up references as quick as a wink, and -really I know a lot. So I shall be your pastor's assistant, and furnish -the eyes while your own are resting."</p> - -<p>"Why, Rosalie, you little—Problem," he said brokenly.</p> - -<p>"I wanted to surprise you, father. And all the time I was talking of my -career—I knew that my career would be—right here with you and Doris, -backing up the manse."</p> - -<p>He held her hands very closely in his, and did not speak for a while. -"Every one is taking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> hold," he said at last. "I have worked all my -life—every day crowded full to overflowing— Now everything is going, -and— How shall I fill the days?"</p> - -<p>"There is where I come in," said Mr. MacCammon quickly. "I have to -begin some very important proof-reading on my newest philosophy, -my very best work and the most pretentious. And I was wondering if -you wouldn't come out and loaf with me most of the time—and let me -proof-read aloud to you—I really need some expert opinion as I go -along. Maybe it would help you with the time—I know it would help me -with the book."</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman sat silent again for a while. "Girls," he began finally, -"I am ashamed to say I was puzzled. I could not see the way. Now it -is opening up, step after step—and the rest will come in its proper -time. I shall never worry again. And to-morrow night I will ask for my -vacation at once."</p> - -<p>"Have you got the money, father?" asked Zee.</p> - -<p>"We may have to squeeze a little," he said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> smiling. "The board will -advance my June salary, I know, and the household bills can run for a -while. There is a little in the bank—I do not know just how much—"</p> - -<p>"Forty-two dollars and eighty-six cents," said Doris practically. "But -the bills for this month are paid—I can see the hand of a tender -Providence in that. For it is mighty seldom we have the bills paid and -forty-two dollars and eighty-six cents besides."</p> - -<p>"The forty-two dollars will run you here at home, and the June salary -will see me through at Chicago."</p> - -<p>"Just as I am always trying to show you," said Zee. "We preachers have -our troubles, but there is always a plain path made for us."</p> - -<p>"When we get to it, yes. The trouble is that some of us have a habit of -wanting to see the path before we get there. I like to use a telescope -on it, miles ahead, I am afraid," her father admitted.</p> - -<p>How simply and naturally things worked out, after all the months of -anxious fear. The <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>vacation was arranged without the slightest trouble. -The June salary was paid in advance with no dissenting voice. And one -elder, the dearest of them all, said gently:</p> - -<p>"And there are a few of us who wish to make up a little purse—oh, -not much—just a little word of appreciation, you know—we'll get it -together and put it into the bank for you—it may help a little."</p> - -<p>Mr. Artman's conscience kept him awake hours that night, for he had -been worrying about money, too—worrying in spite of the fact that -every step had been cleared when the time for stepping came—and he had -worried about the bills there would be when the operation was over and -he was at home again. For his expenses in Chicago would be heavy, even -though he went to the Presbyterian hospital where "they do ministers -for nothing." And Doctor Hancock had arranged with the surgeon that the -expense of the operation could wait till a convenient time. The girls' -expenses would be much lighter when school was out, and they would not -use the car<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> quite so often, only now and then when they could not -resist the luring call of it.</p> - -<p>"I want you to come for a drive with me in my car to-night, Doris," Mr. -MacCammon said one evening. "You have taken me in yours several times -and you are always so concerned with speedometers and gears that you -pay no attention to my conversation. To-night you go joy-riding on my -gas."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, I shall be glad to," said Doris in her very politest -manner, for to go joy-riding on some other person's gas was a great -treat, and to go joy-riding on Mr. MacCammon's gas was the greatest -treat of all. So she put on the charming blue motor hat—home-made out -of old veils and scraps of velvet, but which, as Rosalie said, was just -as flirtatious as though it had cost forty-two dollars and eighty-six -cents at Marshall Field's. Mr. MacCammon helped her into the car very -formally, and Rosalie from the front porch waved them away.</p> - -<p>"Father," she said to him when the car had disappeared, "I hope your -eyes have not affected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> your mental vision. I suppose you realize that -your perfectly wonderfully philosophical psychologist or whatever he -is, is quite humanly and commonplacely and every-dayly in love with -your darling Doris."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, don't give me anything more to worry about. I do not care -how perfectly wonderfully philosophical and psychological he is, he -shall not come upsetting my household, that is certain."</p> - -<p>But Mr. Artman smiled. After all, Doris was a dear girl, and Mr. -MacCammon was—even more than Rosalie had said. And it was one -opportunity in ten thousand, in his private opinion. And wasn't it just -like Providence to give that opportunity to one of the sweet simple -girls of the manse, rather than to some of the more pretentious, more -expectant girls of the little town?</p> - -<p>"What I particularly wished to say to you is this," Mr. MacCammon was -saying to Doris—"if you can get your eyes off the mileage long enough -to listen."</p> - -<p>Doris turned around sidewise in the seat and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> snuggled back among the -cushions and looked at him so directly that his mind went wandering on -the instant, and they were silent a while.</p> - -<p>"A penny for them," he offered suddenly.</p> - -<p>"I was just wondering how old you really are. It has bothered me -so long. And you need not give me the penny, I much prefer the -information."</p> - -<p>"I am thirty-six. And I was going to say this—are you planning to go -to Chicago with your father?"</p> - -<p>"Now I know you are truly a wizard. I have thought of that every minute -of the whole day. I am afraid we can't. We wanted to, Rosalie and I -both, but we just have to save the pennies. So I think we shall hand -him over to Providence when he gets on the train."</p> - -<p>"It does not cost a great deal—"</p> - -<p>"Six dollars per round trip—and it costs a fortune to stay in Chicago -even a few days. We can not afford it." She sighed a little. Once in a -while it really hurts to be poor.</p> - -<p>"I think I told you, didn't I, that I have to go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> to Chicago myself -this week to arrange for the publishing of the new book? What, didn't I -tell you? Stupid of me to forget it."</p> - -<p>"You did not tell me, and I know you are just going to watch over -father, and I think you are wonderful."</p> - -<p>She caught his hand and kissed it with girlish gratitude, while he -smiled on her with tender eyes.</p> - -<p>"Of course, you do not care if <i>my</i> car is smashed," he said -whimsically. "I notice you keep both hands on the wheel every minute -when you have that precious little red thing of yours out. But my car -is different."</p> - -<p>"Oh, excuse me," she smiled brightly, winking back the tears.</p> - -<p>"Well, let me finish. I have a small apartment in Chicago—not much of -a place, but a cozy corner out by the lake where I can sneak off and -work when I wish and nobody else can find me. It has a little kitchen -and some stuff where Bangs can fix me up a meal, or I can do it myself -if he is not with me. I keep the apartment all the time,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> to be ready -for a hurry order, but I have a friend in the city, too, and when I -just run in for a couple of nights or so, with no special work to do, -I bunk with him, to be sociable. So why couldn't you and Rosalie go up -and take my apartment for a week, and I can stay with Johnson? It would -be easier for you to stand it there than here—and I think your father -would like it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is just— But the fare— Still, it wouldn't be— Oh, dear me, -now I don't know what," cried Doris desperately.</p> - -<p>"Of course, I will excuse you for interrupting me, since you ask it," -he said evenly. "But I was far from through. I am going to drive up -to Chicago in my car. I have a lot of running around to do, out to -Evanston and to the University, and all over town. I haven't the time -to bother with street-cars, nor the patience to bother with taxis. So -I shall take my own locomotion with me. It is a good road all the way, -and I can make the run in a few hours. Of course, your father could -not drive up in the wind, but you and Rosalie seem fairly healthy, and -I have a back seat. So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> if you feel any desire to go with me, why, I -think—"</p> - -<p>Doris put her head in her arm on the back of the seat and sobbed. Then -she sat up quickly and patted his arm as warmly as she dared with any -degree of safety to the steering, and said:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Wizard, please wake me up. You have me under the spell of your -charm, and I am dreaming things."</p> - -<p>"I hope you are under the spell of my charm, and I wouldn't wake you up -for a thousand dollars," he said explosively, and although of course it -was only a joke, Doris blushed and began making plans for the trip very -hurriedly.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do with the little girls?" she asked, confident of his -ability to do something.</p> - -<p>"I had not reached that portion of the family yet. Let me see—they can -have Bangs to take care of them."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't they love that? No, we'll get Miss Carlton. She has been -hinting to come for a visit for quite a while, and now is just the -time. It will shock her to find father gone—but she is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> fine in an -emergency, and this is one. Now let's hurry home and tell father."</p> - -<p>When Rosalie heard of this new and wonderful dispensation of Providence -in the person of the enormous philosopher, she looked at him very -steadily and said in her softest voice:</p> - -<p>"Mr. MacCammon, you haven't a brother, have you, a younger brother who -looks like you—or a son?"</p> - -<p>"No," he said, staring at her in surprise. "I haven't anybody. Why?"</p> - -<p>"I wanted to put in an application for him, that is all."</p> - -<p>"Why, Rosalie." Suddenly he laughed aloud, and drew her away to a -remote corner of the room. "Then I take it that my efforts along this -line do not meet with your disapproval?"</p> - -<p>"Quite the contrary."</p> - -<p>"Can you assure me of success?" he asked, still smiling, but Rosalie -observed that his eyes were very bright and very earnest.</p> - -<p>"No," she said slowly. "One can not quite do that, you know."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> - -<p>He looked suddenly startled. "You don't mean—is there anybody— There -can't be any one—"</p> - -<p>"Has she told you about the bishop?"</p> - -<p>"No, she hasn't mentioned the bishop—or anybody," he said in a voice -quite changed.</p> - -<p>"Why, Mr. MacCammon, you would not want to win your heart's desire too -easily, would you? Think what a satisfaction it will be later on to -know that you outclassed a bishop!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but suppose I don't. These—excuse me, these—bishops, you -know—something about the cloth—the glamour of the church— But it -helps to have your blessing. I thought you hadn't noticed."</p> - -<p>"You thought I hadn't noticed? Mercy! What ails the man? Thought I -hadn't noticed— Why, how could I help it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Hang that bishop! Oh, shucks, what is a bishop? Come on, -congratulate me—do it right now, to spur me on and just to prove that -we don't care two cents for the bishop."</p> - -<p>Rosalie held out her hand. "I congratulate you with all my heart. You -are not good enough for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> her, but if she is satisfied, I should worry. -On behalf of the manse, I welcome you."</p> - -<p>"Thanks. Now it is all settled. I feel better." And they laughed -together gaily.</p> - -<p>"What in the world are you two doing, whispering back there in the -corner?" asked Doris curiously. "Mercy, are you holding hands?"</p> - -<p>"We are sealing a solemn pact," he answered blithely. "Rosalie has a -way of making me very happy sometimes."</p> - -<p>Doris caught her breath suddenly, and crushed her fingers against her -lips. A dark shadow came into her eyes, and she looked searchingly into -Rosalie's laughing face. Then she crossed the room and stood by her -father, her fingers gripping his sleeve, and very soon she slipped away -up the stairs and went to bed. When Rosalie came to find her, she said -she was tired and nervous— Wouldn't Rosalie say good night for her, and -tell him how kind he had been?</p> - -<p>When Rosalie repeated the message to Mr. MacCammon he looked perturbed.</p> - -<p>"Isn't she coming down at all?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Seems not. But she is nervous, really, and worried about father—and -your kindness has upset her."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet she is thinking of that bishop," he said grimly. "You run -up-stairs and talk about me, will you? Tell her how nice I am, and how -handsome, and what a good husband I will make—put it on pretty thick, -you know how it is done. A lovely diamond ring for your pains, young -lady, if you play it right. There's a nice little girl."</p> - -<p>So Rosalie obediently ran up and sat beside Doris on the bed, stroking -the hot hand, and saying over and over how charming and clever and -thoughtful dear Mr. MacCammon was, and how much more attractive than -that stupid bishop, and how wonderfully good she was sure he would be -to any girl who became his very own.</p> - -<p>And Doris lay on the bed quivering, too loyal to her sister to voice -a protest, but lacking the moral courage to speak agreement. And -Doris did not sleep that night—although she hated herself for being -so sorry over such a little thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> as— Well, as what? Anyhow, she -was surprised, that was all—but was ashamed even to think of such a -trifle, in the face of father's so much greater grief. And when she -wept softly into the pillow she had to tell herself over and over again -that every tear was for father, and every sob, and every bit of ache -that was in her heart.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII</span> <span class="smaller">ROSALIE'S WAY</span></h2> - -<p>As the days passed, and the plans for the future matured, Rosalie kept -shrewd eyes on her sister's face.</p> - -<p>"She is worried about father, of course, but so are the rest of us, -and we don't act like that," she thought soberly. "It can't be Mr. -MacCammon, surely, for he does not try to hide what he thinks. And -anybody can see what she feels toward him—anybody but Mr. MacCammon, -for he really is fussed about the bishop." And Rosalie laughed -gleefully, for she solemnly believed that no lover had any right to win -his heart's desire without a few sharp pangs of jealousy.</p> - -<p>Doris was pale and gentle to an unwonted degree, but she shirked no -whit of her responsibility. She arranged with the president of the -college for filling the pulpit during her father's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> absence, and he -acceded to her request with hearty good will.</p> - -<p>"If I can't get anybody else, I'll do it myself. So get that off your -mind right away. As a matter of fact, I have quite a few things I'd -like to tell the people in this town, but I never had the courage to -do it with your father's kindly eyes upon me. But with him out of the -road, I surely will relieve my feelings."</p> - -<p>Miss Carlton promised not only freely, but fulsomely, to come and -chaperon the younger girls during the week the others were in Chicago. -And Mr. Artman was argued into accepting their friend's kindly offer in -a way that was scientific to the highest degree.</p> - -<p>On the morning he took train for Chicago Doris and Rosalie, with their -shabby bags, were tucked into MacCammon's car among his portfolios and -manuscripts. Curiously enough, Doris insisted on sitting in the back -seat alone.</p> - -<p>"Please," she said, when MacCammon and Rosalie both protested. "I am -so tired and fidgety. When I am in front I sit up straight and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> watch -the road every minute. But in the back I can settle down and rest. Let -Rosalie sit in front, she likes to watch the road and get excited, and -squeal when you spin on the corners."</p> - -<p>Rosalie and MacCammon eyed each other grimly when Doris slipped into -her chosen place without waiting for the help of a friendly hand.</p> - -<p>"The bishop," whispered MacCammon ominously.</p> - -<p>"The bishop your grandmother," thought Rosalie, turning around to -squint thoughtfully at her sister.</p> - -<p>The first twenty-five miles were traversed in absolute silence, -MacCammon driving with grim and rigid energy, Rosalie looking through -half-closed lids reflectively into space, Doris crouching in the corner -of the back seat alone.</p> - -<p>Thirty-five miles—and then MacCammon laughed suddenly.</p> - -<p>"Hang the bishop," he said in a low voice.</p> - -<p>Rosalie laughed with him. "You can't hang him—it isn't orthodox."</p> - -<p>"Burn him at the stake then. She hasn't— Anyhow,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> I don't—I am not -going to get cold feet yet— That— There is no reason—"</p> - -<p>"Faint heart," scoffed Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"All right, I am game. Suppose you drive a while." Turning to Doris, -he said, "Rosalie is going to drive a while, and I am coming back to -help hold down the back seat. Don't argue. You know very well the back -seat is too bumpy for one little light girl by herself. You need not -hurry, Rosalie," he said, surrendering the wheel. "Doris is cross, and -I have to reason with her. It takes time. You need not listen unless -you particularly wish."</p> - -<p>He got into the back seat serenely enough, and looked astonished when -Doris withdrew to the farthest corner of the roomy seat.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter? Does the seat slope over to that corner? That is a -shame, I must have it fixed." And he sat down very comfortably in the -middle of the seat, where Doris could not possibly keep the hem of her -gown from touching him, nor even her rigid elbow, though it plainly was -her desire.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<p>Rosalie drove with a nicety of concentration that was most commendable, -but Doris was stiffly mute to his overtures. And in spite of his -persistent and determined tender chaffing, he was really calling down -anathemas on the head of the offending bishop by the time they reached -Aurora.</p> - -<p>"Let's find a place to eat. I am hungry. I have done a hard day's work. -Digging ditches has nothing on that," he said to Rosalie.</p> - -<p>She nodded sympathetically. "Think well before it is too late," she -warned. "Women are always like that—they go by spells. Sometimes they -are and then sometimes they are not."</p> - -<p>"Chiefly they are not, I perceive," he said doggedly. "She liked me -well enough while I remained a mystery."</p> - -<p>"Well, of course—"</p> - -<p>"If you say bishop to me again I'll stone you," He cried, and Rosalie -only laughed.</p> - -<p>By this time Doris had finished patting her hair before the small -mirror in her bag, and joined them quietly. But she was not hungry, -she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> drank two cups of very strong coffee—and Mr. MacCammon suddenly -was not hungry either. Rosalie munched comfortably through six courses -and when she reached her ice-cream and macaroons she told MacCammon he -might run along and get the gas if he liked while she was finishing, -which he promptly did. As soon as he was gone she looked at her sister -slyly.</p> - -<p>"General—I—may I confide something—in you?"</p> - -<p>Doris stiffened instantly, and turned a frigid face that way. "Yes," -she said somberly, "go on, let's get it over with. I have been -expecting it for some time."</p> - -<p>A mischievous smile darted to Rosalie's eyes, but the shielding lashes -hid it. "I—Do you think I am too young to fall in love?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Doris desperately, "I do not. I don't think anybody is too -young, or too old, or—anything."</p> - -<p>"Age has nothing to do with love, has it?"</p> - -<p>"No, age hasn't, nor brains, nor sense, nor <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>dignity, nor—sometimes I -think even <i>religion</i> hasn't anything to do with love."</p> - -<p>"Of course I may be mistaken—"</p> - -<p>"No chance."</p> - -<p>"But he is so dear and nice, and though he has not proposed—still I -know he is infatuated with me—and when he finishes school—he is a -senior now, you know, and then he can marry if he likes."</p> - -<p>Doris looked up, a sudden shining through the clouds. "He—what?"</p> - -<p>"He graduates this year. He is a senior. But we are not engaged, not by -any means. Only sometimes I think maybe I am not too young to fall in -love. Bob Alden, you know."</p> - -<p>Doris leaned weakly back in her chair.</p> - -<p>"Are you joking?" she whispered with dry lips.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris, I wouldn't do such a thing."</p> - -<p>"Am I just imagining things or—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I think you are."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, you bad little girl, what have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> you done? I really -believe Mr. MacCammon likes you."</p> - -<p>"Likes me! Ye gods, aren't some folks blind? I can always tell when men -are stuck on me long before they can tell it themselves, but some folks -are so slow. You are a stupid girl, Doris, I have no patience with you. -Poor dear Mr. MacCammon and the bishop, too—both of them—I think it -is downright reprehensible, to dangle a bishop and a psychological -philosopher at the same time. I wouldn't do such a thing."</p> - -<p>Doris glimmered softly, the old Doris struggling weakly but jubilantly -back to her own again.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie, don't talk about the bishop," she said.</p> - -<p>MacCammon was waiting for them at the car, with several magazines and -boxes of candy on hand to help give the car a professionally touring -appearance. And after the chill fog of the last week, Doris came to -him, gleaming and glowing.</p> - -<p>"I am all rested now," she said, smiling <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>tremulously. "Please, Mr. -Wizard, may I ride in front?"</p> - -<p>He looked at her in astonishment more utterly blank than ever. Then he -looked helplessly at Rosalie, humming brightly to herself as she picked -out the largest box of candy to take with her into the back seat.</p> - -<p>"Can you beat that? They are, and then they aren't. And when you just -about get your mind made up that they aren't, and no use to talk about -it, all of a sudden they are. And nobody ever knows why, or how it -happened."</p> - -<p>"What are you talking about?" asked Doris curiously.</p> - -<p>"Psychology, dear Doris. Please get in quickly—yes, here in front—oh, -this seat slopes toward the middle, does it? Fine! Well, as I was -saying, do you think I'd better tie you in before you decide you -aren't? And as for psychology, there is no such thing—not in a world -that has women."</p> - -<p>It did seem rather heartless to be so ecstatically happy when -poor dear father was having such trouble, but then, Doris thought -philosophically,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> that is what religion is for—to make us happy even -in spite of our grief.</p> - -<p>The rest of the ride was wonderful, through such gloriously beautiful -country, and as for the dust—it was nothing, and the car ran like -velvet, and almost before they knew it they were settled in their -little borrowed apartment, laughing at the tininess of it, and getting -ready for MacCammon, who had gone to break his presence to his friend.</p> - -<p>He came for them at six o'clock and took them out to dinner with him, -ordering the dishes so carefully and with such sweet regard for their -youthful appetites—but after all, they could not eat, for the shadow -of the operation was settling upon them. Yet how much better it was to -be here in the big city within reach of father's kindly hand than to be -away off in the manse quivering with the anxiety of what they did not -know and could not guess, with only telegraph wires to link them each -to each?</p> - -<p>It seemed MacCammon would never be done with that sickening apple -pie, but after an endless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> time they were really tripping softly, -breathlessly, along the hall of the hospital in the wake of the -"rubber-soled nurse," as Rosalie naughtily christened her. And there -was father sitting alone in a white room, his eyes bandaged closely. He -knew they were there before they spoke, and held out his hands to them, -warmly impulsive. And they sat on the arms of his chair and petted the -opposite sides of his head, and talked quietly and sensibly, as if the -operation were nothing at all.</p> - -<p>But almost immediately the door opened again, and a man— Yes, a -minister— That blessed bishop, of course—MacCammon glared at him— How -long the fellow was holding Doris' hand!— Right before her father—and -Doris was letting him!— Well, couldn't he see that Rosalie was there, -too—and a stranger?</p> - -<p>"Your father said you would be here, so I stayed to speak to you."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and I came, too, Bishop," said Rosalie brightly. "You must not -overlook me."</p> - -<p>MacCammon blessed her for the words. For the bishop dropped Doris' hand -hurriedly and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> turned to her— What in the world could the church be -thinking of, to have bishops as young as that?</p> - -<p>"I do not believe he's as old as I am, and I am not old at all," -thought MacCammon resentfully. "And they call him a father in the -church. What are we coming to, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>Doris was back at her father's side now, where she belonged, and -MacCammon was being introduced to the bishop. They sized each other up -very frankly.</p> - -<p>"I'll bet he resents me as much as I do him, that's some satisfaction," -MacCammon thought with boyish relish. "And I brought her up, too, all -that long way—that will cut."</p> - -<p>They did not stay very long—a gentle movement of the rubber-soled -one's eyebrow hurried their departure.</p> - -<p>The bishop could not accept MacCammon's invitation to come with them -in the car, because he had his own little runabout. But wouldn't Miss -Doris come with him for a run through the park,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> and along the lake -front? MacCammon held his breath. Would she?</p> - -<p>Doris put out her hand, quietly but cordially. "I know you will excuse -me to-night, Bishop. I do not feel like talking, or—anything—just -like going home quietly with Rosalie to think."</p> - -<p>Never had MacCammon loved her as he did at that moment. The bishop -walked down with her to the car and opened the back door for the girls.</p> - -<p>"But it is my turn to sit in front," said Doris, smiling faintly. "We -think it would be unfair to let Mr. MacCammon sit alone when he is -driving us. And Rosalie and I always have each other, you know."</p> - -<p>So the bishop had to help her into the car—MacCammon's car—and into -the front seat with MacCammon himself, and the bishop had to stand on -the curb while they drove off. No wonder MacCammon was whistling softly -to himself. With Doris out of the question, the bishop was a nice -enough fellow, clean, clear-cut, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>straightforward—but with Doris in -the question he was an eternal nuisance and a bore. And MacCammon could -never get Doris out of his questions any more.</p> - -<p>"Will you come up?" she asked as they drew up beside the apartment.</p> - -<p>"Not to-night," he said softly. "But thank you for asking." She had -not asked the bishop. "To-night you girls must run straight to bed -and rest, and I will come for you to go with me in the morning. No, -you must not try to cook until the operation is over. I will eat with -you after that to even up. I know a grand place for hot cakes and -sirup—very close. Good night, Rosalie, you are a good little scout," -he called, as she started up the stairs. Then he drew Doris into a -shadowy corner and said, "You must not worry, Doris. Rosalie is taking -this better than you are. Hasn't your religion taught you that things -work out just right for—men—like your father—who are whole-souled -and pure-minded?"</p> - -<p>"Christians, you mean," said Doris, smiling at his evident desire to -avoid the tone of preaching.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> "Yes, I know. I do believe that things -will come right eventually, and I do not worry—much. But father is too -good to suffer, and be hurt. It should have been some one else."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris, don't you know that your father will have more tenderness -and more gentleness for all sickness and all suffering, after he -himself has suffered? Before this, he has <i>spoken</i> kindness. Now -he will <i>live</i> it. It takes the ultimate caress of pain to give us -understanding."</p> - -<p>Doris moved her hands softly in his.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you must go." He put his arms around her, and her face fell -against his shoulder. "Go, dear Doris, and dream of sweet and lovely -things—your father strong and well and tenderer than ever—and dream -of me, not very good, I know, but—very fond of you. And please forget -the bishop."</p> - -<p>Doris laughed at that, quickly, breathlessly. "I will, just for -to-night," she promised.</p> - -<p>"No, for all the nights."</p> - -<p>He kissed her hair where it curled beneath the blue motor hat, warmly, -tenderly—for somehow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> he felt that this night of her anxious sorrow -was not the time to press the kiss of love upon her lips, though he -knew in his heart it would not have been denied him.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV</span> <span class="smaller">THE DOCTOR</span></h2> - -<p>It seemed very terrible to the two girls to stay there quietly waiting -in their father's painfully bright room at the hospital until he was -brought back to them on the wheeled table from the operating-room. They -could not speak. Doris sat with her hands clenched tightly in her lap, -with Rosalie on the arm of the chair, leaning against her. MacCammon -stood beside the window, coming to the girls now and then to give -them reassuring pats and smiles, and then going back to the window. -Presently a nurse came in, carefully darkened the room, and put water -bottles and flannels in the bed. She smiled encouragingly at the girls, -who tried very hard to twist their lips into a semblance of good cheer -in return.</p> - -<p>Then the table was wheeled in again, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> father was slipped deftly -back into the bed, and the doctor was talking to them brightly, and -smiling.</p> - -<p>"Just fine. Worked like a charm. Why, when I think of how that man -must have suffered for the last months— Why, it is preposterous— It is -downright— Anyhow, it is over now."</p> - -<p>The girls did not speak.</p> - -<p>"Come on down-stairs and let's beg some coffee. It does not seem -particularly cold to-day, but you folks give me a chilly sensation."</p> - -<p>"And leave father?" gasped Doris.</p> - -<p>"Why not? And why do you whisper? Your father, my dear, will have a -nice quiet rest for an hour or so, and there is no reason why we should -sit here in the dark and hear him breathe. Come on, MacCammon, don't -you need a tonic?"</p> - -<p>"Are you sure he is all right?" asked Doris, looking closely at her -father's face, showing grim and rigid in the darkened room. "He looks -very sick."</p> - -<p>"He looks sick, my dear, but he is all right. The operation was -absolutely successful to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> minutest degree. You do not think he is -going to die, do you?"</p> - -<p>"Doctors are strange," said Rosalie in a hushed voice. "How do you know -he will come out from the anesthetic?"</p> - -<p>"Because he is out from the danger of it now. Only he does not know it -yet. His heart is pumping away, and he is breathing normally, and in a -few hours he will be wide awake. Come now, don't argue with me. Your -father has spoiled you, I see that. I would never allow any argument, -if I had girls of my own. But I haven't any."</p> - -<p>"Are you married?" asked Doris with some interest.</p> - -<p>"No, I am not married. But I know how I would rear my daughters."</p> - -<p>"Sure you do," laughed MacCammon. "So do I. All of us unmarried fellows -know all about rearing daughters. Come on, girls, we may as well go -quietly and try to live at peace with this quarrelsome creature your -father has pushed on to us."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> - -<p>The girls passed slowly from the room, but their faces brightened a -little when one of the nurses said:</p> - -<p>"Don't worry. The doctor is right. The danger is all over. We do not -know yet just how fine the eyes will be—but the danger is gone. Run -along and get your coffee. Your father will sleep a long time."</p> - -<p>"Then may we wire the girls now—that he is all right? I know they will -be anxious."</p> - -<p>"Yes, indeed, wire them at once. Tell them there is no danger, and we -are sure the eyes will be infinitely better—certainly there will be no -more headaches and pain. And cheer up."</p> - -<p>After the telegram was safely on its way it seemed quite natural for -the four of them to sit at a small table in the nurses' dining-room, -sipping the hot coffee, realizing that after all they were alive, and -father was nearly all right, and things were going on just the same as -before he had kissed them good-by and gone into the grim white room -that held so many terrors for them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> - -<p>After their coffee the doctor took them around the hospital with him, -introducing them to ministers here and there. They smiled at a few -whom the doctor frankly pronounced cases of chronic grouch, and were -smiled at by other, very sick ones, who, the doctor declared, were -endowed with an abundant and all-pervading Christianity that kept their -dispositions riotously pleasant in spite of physical pain. And then he -invited them to come with him in his car to call on another patient of -his down the road a way—"one of the greatest living testimonies to the -efficacy of the Christian religion, because he has the most pronounced -absence of it of any one I have ever seen."</p> - -<p>The girls hesitated, wanting to get back to their father, but he would -brook no opposition.</p> - -<p>"He will not know you are there. He will be laughing or crying or -making love to the nurse, maybe using a little strong language on the -side, and it will be no pleasure to him to have a witness, and no -pleasure to you—and you will be a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> pleasure to me, so that settles it. -Come along, while you have the chance, for I shall not have time to -bother with you after to-day."</p> - -<p>And he crowded them into his small car and carried them off to inspect -the "awfully un-Christian patient," who looked at them sharply when the -doctor presented them.</p> - -<p>"If he told you I am an infidel, he is a liar," said the old man, -looking suspiciously at the doctor's placid face. "I was the treasurer -of a church—"</p> - -<p>"Yes, he was," said the doctor, sniffing. "He was treasurer of a -church for three years, and now he is a millionaire. Draw your own -conclusions."</p> - -<p>"I have been a church-member all my life."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he has," snorted the doctor. "To the everlasting disgrace of the -church, I must admit it."</p> - -<p>"I have contributed—"</p> - -<p>"You have contributed to the unhappiness of more poor people than -anybody else in Chicago, and you know it," said the doctor curtly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> - -<p>"If you weren't the best doctor in town I would discharge you."</p> - -<p>"If I did not intend to bleed you out of half your fortune before you -die I would not 'tend to you another day," snapped the doctor.</p> - -<p>The girls looked on in silent horror. MacCammon smiled appreciatively. -The patient was lying helpless under the doctor's skilful hands, -obeying his orders with child-like confidence, and the doctor -was ministering to the physical needs of the old man with tender -professional touches. But all the while the patient glared venomously -up into the doctor's face and the doctor glowered back.</p> - -<p>"Turn over," said the doctor sharply.</p> - -<p>"Ain't he polite?" sneered the old man. "Ain't he a perfect gentleman?" -But he did not hesitate to obey the doctor's word.</p> - -<p>"Now turn back. I did not want anything. Just wanted to see if it would -hurt you to move. There's nothing the matter with you anyhow but an -overdose of devil germs. You've bulldozed and browbeaten so many people -for so many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> years that you've got a calloused heart and a calloused -soul. It gives you indigestion. That's all that ails you—spiritual -indigestion."</p> - -<p>Doris came forward with gentle sympathy and laid a slender hand on the -man's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"He is a bad doctor. This is no time to throw up your weaknesses, is -it?"</p> - -<p>"Well," admitted the old man, "he is a fiend, but he is a good doctor. -All the rest gave me up to die—and he came, and operated—it was a -terrible operation on the brain—and I am nearly well. He is a good -doctor—but he is a fiend. But then, if it comes to that, I haven't -been an angel myself."</p> - -<p>Doris could not help laughing.</p> - -<p>"An angel. I am surprised you know the word," scoffed the doctor. "You -wouldn't recognize an angel if you ran into one. Your eyes are blind to -everything but the dollar-mark. If you ever get to Heaven, your crown -will be made up of dollar bills instead of diamonds."</p> - -<p>"If you ever get to Heaven you won't have any crown at all. Just a -hypodermic needle to go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> around sticking into poor angels that trust -you, and you'll have crutches to play on 'stead of a harp."</p> - -<p>"Well, come on, girls. You have had enough. Don't let him soak into -your dispositions."</p> - -<p>The girls put out soft and timid hands to say good-by, and the old man -took them bashfully, blushing beneath their friendly eyes.</p> - -<p>"If you are still alive, I shall see you Wednesday, but I have hopes," -said the doctor.</p> - -<p>"It would be a pleasure to die just to get away from you," shouted the -old man after him.</p> - -<p>"Doctor, that was terrible," said Doris. "How could you do it? The poor -sick old man!"</p> - -<p>The doctor only laughed.</p> - -<p>"You may as well make up your mind to sitting with me," he said to -Rosalie, helping her into the front seat. "You do not seem absolutely -essential to their happiness, do you?"</p> - -<p>"Not absolutely, no. But I tell you right now if you begin on me as you -talked to the old man, I shall fall right out and get run over. Like -him, I think death is preferable."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Sometimes I feel that I missed my calling," said the doctor in a -genial tone. "I believe in my heart I should have been a minister."</p> - -<p>"Oh, mercy!" gasped Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"Why, my dear little girl, do you think I was hard on the old bird? Not -a bit of it. He told you the truth—he would have died except for me. I -have simply goaded him into strength. He lives to spite me. And I not -only brace him up physically, I am helping his soul." The doctor said -this complacently, and was greeted by derisive laughter.</p> - -<p>"Fact, for all you may laugh. Twice since I have had him he has -extended mortgages. First time he ever did such a thing in his life. -His lawyers think he is in his dotage. The trouble with him is that he -never caught the connection between religion and business—he practised -them both, separately, and consistently. But when it came to religion -he never used his brains—he gave to everything the minister advised, -whether it was sensible or not, just because the minister advised -it—and he sat around and prayed to any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> old mutt of a preacher, just -because he was a reverend. No business sense about it. And then when -it came to business, he did not let his religion interfere. I am the -connecting link between his religion and his business—and I expect -to make a man of him. I think in time I shall work out his soul's -salvation. Quite seriously, I believe I would have made a cracking good -minister."</p> - -<p>Then he took them back to the hospital and up to their father's room. -Doris stepped quickly to the bedside.</p> - -<p>"Doris? Is it my little girl?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you dear father, Doris and Rosalie are here."</p> - -<p>They sat beside the bed, one on either side, and stroked his hands -tenderly, glad tears streaming down their faces. After a time, when he -thought he could control his voice, he said:</p> - -<p>"Girls, I am sorry—but I am quite blind. I can hear you, but I see -nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh, dearest," cried Doris brokenly, "of course you can't. Your eyes -are bandaged. You are not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> supposed to see yet. You must wait. The -operation was a perfect success."</p> - -<p>"Why, my dear old fellow," said the doctor in an annoyed tone, "do you -think I am a miracle man? You are not supposed to step right out of the -ether into the broad light. You are a dandy, sure enough. Aren't these -preachers the limit? Growling because he can't see when he is plastered -up in ten inches of cotton."</p> - -<p>The minister laughed, softly, happily. "It was foolish. I see it now, -of course. But it gave me a terrible jar. I was sure I was blind."</p> - -<p>So while the girls sat beside him the doctor and MacCammon went away to -leave them alone for a while.</p> - -<p>"The real tug will come when he gets home," said the doctor. "He has no -business to use his eyes for at least six months. He ought to play for -fully half a year. But he does not know how to play. That is the worst -of these preachers—they get so used to the grind, grind, grind, that -they can't let up. What we'll do with him for the next six months is -more than I can figure out."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The girls will think of something. They are wonderful girls."</p> - -<p>"Yes, very. Rosalie in particular," said the doctor.</p> - -<p>"Doris in particular also," supplemented MacCammon quickly. "He can -preach, can't he? I imagine he will need the money."</p> - -<p>"Yes, he can preach if he's got it in his head. He can't do any -reading."</p> - -<p>"It will not be easy. But we can leave it to Doris all right."</p> - -<p>"That Rosalie is a lovely girl—a beautiful girl," said the doctor -warmly.</p> - -<p>"They both are," came quickly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, get out. Can't you take anything impersonally? Don't come mooning -around to me. I have troubles enough of my own. I say that Rosalie -is lovelier than your Doris, has a better figure, finer hair, more -attractive features, and infinitely better eyes, and if you don't like -it, go to thunder," and the doctor went out quickly, laughing, and -slammed the door behind him.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV</span> <span class="smaller">RISING TO THE MANSE</span></h2> - -<p>In answer to intense and persistent pleading on the part of Treasure -and Zee, the girls decided to remain in Chicago until their father also -returned home. It did not seem at all expensive living in the big city, -thanks partly, of course, to the continued hospitality of MacCammon -and the bishop, and the doctor, and other friends of the Presbyterian -fold. And since school was practically out anyhow, Rosalie knew she -was missing nothing except good times, and there never was a time good -enough to tempt her away from her father when he so evidently enjoyed -her presence.</p> - -<p>It was very surprising, of course, that those unaccountable little -mischiefs at home were so happy in the presence of Miss Carlton, whom -they had never particularly admired. But since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> they insisted, and -since father did say it was sweet to have them with him, and since -MacCammon had developed a strange partiality for the young girls at -home, strongly seconding every suggestion they made, Doris and Rosalie -lingered in Chicago. Their father's strength returned rapidly, and -although he was kept in constant heavy shadow, there were many good and -rollicking times for all of them. And in spite of the doctor's open -declaration that he would never have time to bother with them after the -first day, he did find many, many hours to while away in their gentle -but merry presence.</p> - -<p>"You are sure you have time? You are sure there is nobody clamoring for -you to come and cut them to pieces?" Rosalie would say sweetly.</p> - -<p>And the doctor was always comfortably and confidently sure.</p> - -<p>And when at last the day came for getting ready to return home he hung -around the little apartment sitting on things they wished to pack and -getting in the way of suit-cases and bags that needed to be moved, -seeming quite to forget that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> he was a famous surgeon and that people -were waiting patiently for him to wield his knife.</p> - -<p>"If anybody urged me particularly I think I'd take a day off and go -home with you. Your father may need attention when he gets there, and I -need a vacation, and I could come back on the night train. But nobody -thinks of inviting me, of course."</p> - -<p>"Please come," said Doris promptly.</p> - -<p>"I won't invite you," said MacCammon pointedly. "The girls think you -are responsible for saving their father's eyes—though anybody else -could have done it just as well—and when you are around nobody pays -any attention to me at all. So I think you'd better stay in Chicago, -where you belong."</p> - -<p>"There you are—isn't that gratitude for you?"</p> - -<p>"Don't mind him," said Doris. "I am the General. Do as I say."</p> - -<p>He looked hopefully at Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"They sit in the front seat and entertain themselves," she said, "and -never bother about me alone in the rear. I invite you to come and sit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> -with me, and let's not say a word to them all the way home."</p> - -<p>He accepted that invitation immediately and rushed off to make -arrangements to keep his patients alive until his return.</p> - -<p>Zee had insisted most strongly that the whole family should arrive -home at the same identical minute, and not come stringing in all day, -keeping them upset, and MacCammon, with his usual loyalty to her, said -flatly it must be done.</p> - -<p>"It can't be done," protested Doris. "The doctor will not let father go -in the car, and how can we get there the same minute?"</p> - -<p>"We shall start early in the morning, and your father will go on -the noon train. Then we shall plan to get to town just exactly at -two-twenty-seven, meet the train, pick your father up bodily, and carry -him home in triumph."</p> - -<p>"It can't be done."</p> - -<p>"If Zee says, 'Do it,' it shall be done," said MacCammon decidedly. -"Her confidence in me must not be shattered. We leave this town at -eight-thirty to-morrow—allowing time for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>blowouts and quarrels en -route. And if we see we are getting in early, we'll stop beneath a big -tree outside of town and point out the scenery to the doctor, who does -not know anything about any kind of scenery except bones and skin."</p> - -<p>"But father—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the bishop can get him on the train and start him home. That's all -bishops are good for," said MacCammon imperturbably. And he made the -arrangement himself to the intense delight of Rosalie, who giggled at -his elbow all the time he was discussing the plan with the bishop.</p> - -<p>Then came the long lovely ride home, Doris and MacCammon blissfully -content in the front seat, and the doctor taking a most unprofessional -interest in Rosalie's softness and girlishness and gurgliness in the -tonneau.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rosalie," Doris said to her teasingly when they were in the -dressing-room at the hotel "smoothening up" for luncheon. "Oh, Rosalie, -dear, do you still—er—wonder if you are too young to fall in -love—with a senior?"</p> - -<p>Rosalie laughed brightly. "I have decided, Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> General, that I am not -too young to fall in love with—anybody." And then she added, "But I -know now that seniors are quite too awfully young to be fallen in love -with—Bob Alden, for instance—why, he is a perfect infant!"</p> - -<p>Surely enough, they had a long wait under the maples just outside of -town, and MacCammon persisted in pointing out the different grains -coming up in the fields around them, and the different birds flitting -in the branches, and the different flowers nodding by the roadside—to -the intense annoyance of the doctor, who said openly he did not care -two cents about grains and birds and flowers, and very much preferred -to concentrate on other things that interested him more.</p> - -<p>Then came the last flying rush to the station, where father was met and -welcomed as though he had not been seen only a few hours before, and -they sped quickly to the manse.</p> - -<p>"Do hurry," Doris begged. "I know they have a surprise for us, and I -can't wait."</p> - -<p>The surprise was evident as soon as they entered the door. For all the -manse was softly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> sweetly shaded, with silky green and rose-colored -curtains before every window. Every light was covered with dainty -shades of the same soft colors. There was no glare, no bright splashes -of light, no gleam, from any corner.</p> - -<p>The doctor himself removed the heavy goggle glasses from their father's -eyes.</p> - -<p>"This can't hurt anybody," he declared. "It is charming. Look around, -man."</p> - -<p>"Why, you dear little girls," said Mr. Artman. "Did you do this for me?"</p> - -<p>"For all of us," said Treasure. "We knew it would make us all happy if -you could be right in the home with us, and comfortable, not shut up by -yourself in a dark room alone up-stairs, and so we did it for the whole -family."</p> - -<p>"Where is Miss Carlton?" asked Doris.</p> - -<p>"She left yesterday," said Zee. "We wanted to have the house to -ourselves."</p> - -<p>"But wherever did you get the money?" wondered Doris.</p> - -<p>"Ladies' Aid," they shouted triumphantly. "We were going to do it with -cheaper stuff out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> of our allowance—but when they heard about it they -chipped in—and, oh, how we have worked." Zee danced about on joyous -toes. "And the house cleaning is all done—and come up-stairs and see -father's room."</p> - -<p>There was not even a white coverlet on the bed in his room, only the -very palest and softest of colors—and upholstering on the chairs in -deep green tones—even the paper on the wall was changed.</p> - -<p>"Whoever in the world—" gasped Doris.</p> - -<p>"Bangs and the Corduroy Crab," exulted Zee. "They worked and worked, -and made the whole room over. Isn't the Curious Cat a darling not to -tell you? He knew it all the time."</p> - -<p>Doris held out her hand to him impulsively, and he took it, and kept it -in his.</p> - -<p>"And that isn't all—sit down, everybody," cried Zee nervously. "We -haven't half shown you everything. Sit down, and— You tell it, -Treasure, your part comes next."</p> - -<p>"You tell it, Zee, you talk more—I mean better, than I do."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well," began Zee, nothing loath, perching herself on her father's -knee and beaming around on them like a fairy godmother, "you see when -we first knew about father's eyes, and Doris and Rosalie were doing -everything for father, we felt just terribly badly, because we couldn't -do anything, and we felt so useless, we just hated to be alive. And so -we talked to our nice old Cat—"</p> - -<p>"Zee!"</p> - -<p>"It is a compliment, Mr. MacCammon," she said, smiling on him warmly. -"And between the three of us we figured and schemed—for we were -determined to do our share, and—and—come up to the manse, you know. -We wanted to rise to the—the occasion with the rest of you, even if we -are young and usually in trouble. And so guess what Treasure did."</p> - -<p>"Tell us," begged Doris.</p> - -<p>"Nobody can ever tell what either of you ever did," said Rosalie.</p> - -<p>"Well, she began going to domestic science classes, hours and hours and -hours. And when Miss Carlton was here, they worked every <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>minute, both -of them, like—like dogs—cooking and baking, and learning stuff, and -Treasure is a perfectly wonderful cook—better than Doris herself. She -can cook anything in the world, and bake bread, and—she can cook the -whole meal, all by herself, and she loves it, and she is going to do it -all the time after this, so Doris will have more time for father, and -to help with the church, and to—entertain Mr. MacCammon, and so forth."</p> - -<p>"Honestly?"</p> - -<p>"Wait till dinner, and you shall see."</p> - -<p>"And, father," began Treasure gently, "you know I do not care for -school much, and now I have finished high school, I thought maybe you -would not make me go to college. I can't teach or anything. I am too -afraid to get up before folks, and—won't you please let me stay at -home and be your cook, and just study music, and a few little things -like that?"</p> - -<p>"Why, Treasure!"</p> - -<p>"Well, think it over," said Zee. "It is open for consideration anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Tell about your part, Zee."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, mine is not important," said Zee, "the cooking is the big job."</p> - -<p>"It is, too, important," cried Treasure indignantly. "Poor little Zee -has been darning and mending every minute for the last month—and her -fingers are all pricked up, and she got so tired of it—but she can do -it just fine, and she is going to all the rest of the time—and she -and I have been making beds and sweeping, and we are awfully smart at -it—if we do say so ourselves—and so, Miss General, you are out of a -job. Zee and I take the whole house."</p> - -<p>"But what am I to do?" asked Doris dazedly.</p> - -<p>MacCammon squeezed her fingers suggestively, but Doris could not or -would not get the message.</p> - -<p>"You are to play with father, and call on the sick," said Zee glibly. -"We've got it all figured out. You and father and Rosalie are to play -all summer, go camping, and fishing and hunting—and go driving around -the country to conventions and chautauquas, and—and—everything."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that blessed car," said Doris. "Oh, dear Mr. Davison, how good and -kind he was."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Doris will have Mr. Davison haloed before long. He has grown -constantly better since the day of his death."</p> - -<p>"It taught me a lesson, Rosalie. I never believed there was any good in -that man at all—but now I know there must have been a divine spark in -him all the time, and maybe if we had not been so sure he was no good, -we might have fanned the spark a little before he died. I feel guilty -about Mr. Davison—my conscience hurts."</p> - -<p>"But, girls, you are so young—" protested Mr. Artman.</p> - -<p>"Just try us, father, that is all. We've got the goods—you watch us -deliver," cried Zee, and for once Doris did not reprove her for the -slang.</p> - -<p>"There does not seem much need for a minister here, then," he said, -laughing. "With Rosalie taking my Sunday-school class, and Doris -selecting my sermons, and both of them looking up references—what is -the use of having a preacher?"</p> - -<p>"You must still listen to the troubles, and weep with the sad, and -rejoice with the gay—and you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> must still do the marrying and the -burying and the baptizing," said Rosalie quickly.</p> - -<p>Treasure and Zee nudged each other, and giggled ecstatically. For they -knew what the others did not—that in all the loyal little church there -was a covenant of joy passing around from one to another. "Let's go to -him in gladness, rather than in complaint," was the new byword. And the -people were storing up bits of happiness to take to him from day to -day, little triumphs of business, spicy portions of humor and fun—and -the daily annoyances and the petty grievances were being pushed aside -and forgotten. For in time of stress and calamity, the heart of the -church beats true. Of course, when sorrow comes, it is the minister's -portion to enter into the innermost recesses of the soul, for that -is his inalienable right, as pastor of human hearts, and no physical -weakness of his own can weaken his fount of sympathy and tenderness.</p> - -<p>But because they loved him, all the church was learning to look up, -and laugh. And somehow it made worship sweeter when there was joy and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> -gratitude and faith among them and they were lifted out of the narrow -circle of self.</p> - -<p>No wonder, then, that Mr. Artman, in the soft light of the room that -had been his sanctuary for years, with his baby girls in his arms, and -with the two strong radiant daughters standing near him, felt that the -manse was a place of benediction and of peace.</p> - -<p>"I used to wonder—if I could rear my girls alone," he said, smiling, -though his voice was tremulous. "There were so many problems—and it -was hard to see if we were coming out just right—I used to wonder if I -knew enough to handle it."</p> - -<p>Zee patted his shoulder reassuringly. "We never doubted it, father," -she said, in a most maternal voice.</p> - -<p>"Of course, we had lots of trouble, father, getting grown up," said -Treasure. "But you might know that when the time came—we would be—"</p> - -<p>"There with the goods," put in Zee impishly.</p> - -<p>"We just naturally rose to the standard of the manse," said the General -grandly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> - -<p>MacCammon had not released his hold of Doris' hand, and now he drew her -outside the room and closed the door.</p> - -<p>"Doris," he said, "I can't wait any longer. I am afraid the bishop -might send a telegram, or come flying in by aeroplane. And I want -to make sure of belonging to this family right away. You are -wonderful—all of you—the whole family."</p> - -<p>"It is the manse," said Doris, smiling. "It keeps us up, and coming. We -have to live up to it."</p> - -<p>"It is the manse, partly, perhaps," he said, "but it is mostly—"</p> - -<p>"I know—it is mostly father. Nobody could doubt that. Did you ever see -a father like him?"</p> - -<p>"I never did, and I never saw a Doris like you. Please excuse me, -dearest, for making you think of me, when your heart is full of your -father, and your sisters, and your manse—but I love you very much. -When your father's eyes are strong and well, and when Rosalie has -finished college, and when Treasure is really ready for promotion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> to a -captaincy—then will you come and make me happy?"</p> - -<p>Doris flushed warmly, and lifted her eyes to his face, looking steadily -at him.</p> - -<p>"Do not think it is just selfishness, dearest, my trying to intrude on -your sacred hour of coming home, but—"</p> - -<p>"You could not intrude," she said softly. "For you belong in the -home-coming. It would not be coming home at all if you were not here."</p> - -<p>Her lips were quivering, and the tears rushed to her eyes as he put his -arms around her.</p> - -<p>After a time, Zee opened the door and whirled out upon them.</p> - -<p>"Mercy!" she said. "I was coming after you. Father wants everybody to -be right there every minute."</p> - -<p>"I know now there never was any chance for the bishop," said MacCammon, -smiling. "Oh, the poor bishop! That bad little Rosalie was just scaring -me."</p> - -<p>"That bad little Rosalie is turning out to be a great and glorious -girl," said Doris proudly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> "Isn't she? And to think we used to call -her the awful Problem of the manse."</p> - -<p>"That bad little Rosalie is turning out a perfectly grand and glorious -girl because she had a sweet wise sister to solve the awful problems -for her. I know, for she told me herself."</p> - -<p>Zee, leaning patiently against the wall, held up a respectful hand as -though to a teacher in school.</p> - -<p>"May I speak now, please? Father wants his General to take charge."</p> - -<p>"Zee, I hope you approve of me for a brother-in-law, for it won't do -any good if you do not. It is all settled, and you may as well be -pleased."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Doris," wailed Zee, suddenly tearful. "Not really."</p> - -<p>"Why, Zee," cried Doris, shocked at her intensity of grief. "Why, Baby! -I will be here a long, long time yet—and never far away."</p> - -<p>"Oh, and I haven't a cent to my name. I spent all I had, and all I -could borrow, on those curtains in father's room."</p> - -<p>"Oh, cheer up—you won't need to buy a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>wedding present yet a while. We -won't hurry you. Your I.O.U. is good with us."</p> - -<p>"It is not that, goosie," said Zee with lofty scorn. "But Treasure and -I bet a dollar on it—and I picked the bishop—I never dreamed that -Doris would go back on us preachers—and now I haven't got the dollar."</p> - -<p>"Serves you right," said MacCammon grimly. "I am glad you lost. And -you can't get a loan out of me. If you had bet on me, I'd give you the -dollar and tickled to death."</p> - -<p>"Come on back to father," said Zee, struggling heroically to rise to -the heights required. "This is father's day. I may be bankrupt, and -ruined, and facing degradation, and all that—but I can still scare up -a smile for him."</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/ad1.jpg" alt="The Books You Like to Read" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/ad2.jpg" alt="RUBY M. AYRES NOVELS" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/ad3.jpg" alt="PETER B. KYNES NOVELS" /></div> - -<hr /> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Leave it to Doris, by Ethel Hueston - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LEAVE IT TO DORIS *** - -***** This file should be named 60273-h.htm or 60273-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/2/7/60273/ - -Produced by MWS, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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