come in at the area door with _me_. It's
easier, anyway. There's a maid just opening it."

So the two girls entered the house together. They were late to
lunch--indeed, Helen did not wish any; but she did not care to explain why
she was not hungry.

"What's the matter with you, Flossie?" demanded Hortense. "We've done
eating, Belle and I. And if you wish your meals here, Helen, please get
here on time for them."

"You mind your own business!" cried Flossie, suddenly taking up the
cudgels for her cousin as well as herself. "You aren't the boss, Hortense!
I got kept after school, anyway. And cook can make something hot for me
and Helen."

"You _need_ to be kept after school--from the kind of English you use,"
sniffed her sister.

"I don't care! I hate the old studies!" declared Flossie, slamming her
books down upon the table. "I don't see why I have to go to school at all.
I'm going to ask Pa to take me out. I need a rest."

Which was very likely true, for Miss Flossie was out almost every night to
some party, or to the theater, or at some place which kept her up very
late. She had no time for study, and therefore was behind in all her
classes. That day she had been censured for it at school--and when they
took a girl to task for falling behind in studies at _that_ school, she
was very far behind, indeed!

Flossie grumbled about her hard lot all through luncheon. Helen kept her
company; then, when it was over, she slipped up to her own room with her
bundles. Both Hortense and Belle had taken a good look at her, however,
and they plainly approved of her appearance.

"She's not such a dowdy as she seemed," whispered Hortense to the oldest
sister.

"No," admitted Belle. "But that's an awful cheap dress she bought."

"I guess she didn't have much to spend," laughed Hortense. "Pa wasn't
likely to be very liberal. It puzzles me why he should have kept her here
at all."

"He says it is his duty," scoffed Belle. "Now, you know Pa! He never was
so worried about duty before; was he?"

These girls, brought up as they were, steeped in selfishness and seeing
their father likewise so selfish, had no respect for their parent. Nor
could this be wondered at.

Going up to her room that afternoon Helen met Mrs. Olstrom coming down.
The housekeeper started when she saw the young girl, and drew back. But
Helen had already seen the great tray of dishes the housekeeper carried.
And she wondered.

Who took their meals up on t