ake me away, I will be
as quiet as a mouse. It is a pleasure to see you, and to speak to you.
Give me a little needlework, and let me sit with your maid, and just
have a look at you now and then, and at the baby. I ain't seen none of
your children, Betsy. Because you've been so well off, and had no
cares, you shouldn't turn off your mother in that unfeeling way."

"Oh, I wish I dare do it. But if Stanley was to come--he may come
suddenly. I've sent him a message to hurry home. You can't think what a
good, kind husband he is to me, mother. But he'd be furious if he found
you here."

"Oh, if he comes home you do not need me to work any longer; and you
can give the girl that message; and you can drop me a hint if I happen
to be in the house. Even if he was to see me here, I know I could find
some reason. I am never without an excuse."

Mrs. Phillips was not particularly fond of her mother, who had been
very harsh and violent-tempered to her in her childish days, while she
was as fond of her husband as she could be of any one but herself, and
she knew with what abhorrence he regarded this fierce, cunning old
woman. She wished Mrs. Peck to be satisfied with this one visit and to
come back no more, for she feared that Alice and the other servants
might suspect something, and she had no confidence in her own powers of
concealment. But Mrs. Peck had more ammunition in her chest; she again
began to sob, and showed symptoms of going into violent hysterics, and
bewailed her own hard lot and the cruelty of her ungrateful daughter so
loudly, that she was glad to agree to her demands to make her keep
quiet for the present.

Mrs. Peck then saw the baby, which she admired exceedingly, and
accepted of some refreshments. Mrs. Phillips got her purse, and really
gave her some money; and shortly after, her mother took leave, engaging
to come back on the following morning to do some needlework, and
uttering many blessings on Mrs. Phillips for her kindness and
generosity in Alice's hearing. Mrs. Phillips looked greatly relieved
when she was out of the house, but the apprehension of her return
weighed considerably on her mind.

Chapter VII.

Business Interrupted By Love

Mrs. Peck appeared on the following day, according to promise, carrying
a little black bag, containing scissors, yard-measure, and a few other
implements of needlework, all perfectly new; and after a short
conversation with Mrs. Phillips and a little refreshme