use. _You'd_ let me heat his milk to the
boiling point to get dinner and think it was what we both deserved!"

She was instantly dismayed at what she had done. She had spit out all the
actuality of her convictions in spite of every effort not to reply
unkindly when he was unfair to her. She could not afford to retort sharply
to-day. She must resort to other tactics if she were to win to-day.
Besides, the truth was only a half-truth. John did not in his heart wish
either of them harm; he was just a blind sort of bossing creature who had
somehow got into command of her and enjoyed bullying her and setting tasks
to keep her occupied. He owned her, however, and she must court his
consent to this visit.

"Please, dear. I told Aunt Susan we'd come. I'd--I'd have told you
before--only--only I was afraid you'd not be willing--and then I'd get to
crying and give up--and I've got to go. Now don't be cross. Go this once
good-naturedly."

To get close to him she put her hand on his arm and put up her face
coaxingly for a kiss.

John Hunter ignored his wife's signal for tender relations and shook off
her hand impatiently without looking at her.

"Even if Jack were well I wouldn't go away and leave mother alone all
day." John moved restlessly away from her.

Elizabeth would not give up.

"I'll manage mother. She'll go if I insist." John was edging toward the
door. "Anyhow I told Aunt Susan I'd come." John was going through the
door. "Please hurry. We must be on our way pretty soon," she called after
his receding back.

Elizabeth's lips tightened with vexation at the contempt shown by his
refusal to answer, and then loosened and spread into an amused smile.

"He can be just as mad as he wants to. I stuck to it and am going to get
to go. It's better than to give up to him all the time."

She turned into the sitting room and putting the baby on the floor emptied
the clothespin bag in his lap to keep him occupied, and flew up the stairs
to Mrs. Hunter's room.

"Mother, we're going to Aunt Susan's to-day and you are to go with us. Now
don't say you aren't, for it is settled," she said, slipping her hand over
the older woman's mouth to prevent the objection she saw coming, but
nothing she would do or say would persuade the older woman to go.

"I'll settle that with John when he comes in," Mrs. Hunter said, slipping
away from the restraining hand. "There's no reason why you should stay at
home on my account and I will not have