, 'When there's any flogging to be done,
you will do it!' She was mad, and I half expected her to discharge
me on the spot, but I know too much for her to dare to go too far.
I've done piles of dirty work for Amelia Sniffen!'--'Better cut it
out,' said the man.--'Can't, as long as I stay,' she replied.
'That's what I'm there for! But I've got so nervous since this
happened, I don't know what to do! I start every time I see one of
the Board come into the house. What if they should find out! You
don't suppose they could hold me for--anything, do you? I'd give a
farm to know how much Mrs. Albright has heard, but I'm afraid to
quiz her. She's the one that rooms across the hall and tried to
get in when they were having the time--she's got more grit than the
others. I don't think Miss Twining would dare tell, and I don't
see how she could--she is locked in all the time, ostensibly to
keep her from visitors! I thought if Mrs. Albright did find out
she'd go right to the Board; but there hasn't been a word yet.
That woman needs a doctor if ever anybody did. Lucky for us that
she didn't die when--'And that's all I heard. They stopped before
they came to the Home entrance, and I was afraid of being caught,
so I cut across the avenue into the shadows. I was amazed!" He
drew a long breath. "But I fancy it isn't much news to you."

"Some of it is," Polly replied. "I never thought of Miss Sniffen's
being dishonest with money. I don't see how she can--"

"Easy enough in a place like that. But this other is pretty bad
business. If Miss Twining should happen to die without any doctor,
and the authorities should find out that Miss Sniffen beat--"

"No, she didn't!" interrupted Polly. "I suppose she meant to, but
Miss Twining fainted and that put a stop to it. I'd tell you
everything, David, only Miss Nita and Mrs. Albright and Miss Crilly
and I agreed not to say a word to anybody."

"Never mind! I can guess enough. Something should be done about
it, Polly. If Miss Twining needs a doctor, she ought to have one
immediately."

"I know it!" Her voice was troubled. "I wanted to tell Mr.
Randolph; but they won't let me, for fear he'll take the Home's
part, or something, and get them into trouble. I don't know what
to do!"

The car stopped at the Gresham door, and Polly forgot disagreeable
things in the pleasure of Mrs. Collins's cordial welcome.

CHAPTER XXIX

DISAPPOINTMENT

Miss Twining was worse. Dr.