with which Geraldine greeted her.

"I'm trying to make Pearl feel at home, you see," said the girl. "Mrs.
Whipp says it is very hard for her to move."

"Yes, I know that is a pussy's nature. I like cats, but I like birds
better, so I don't keep any. How nice you look here. Oh, what charming
roses!" going to the nodding beauties standing in a vase on the counter.
"Are those for sale? If so they're going home to Keefe."

"No, Mrs. Barry, they ain't for sale," replied Miss Mehitable. "I'm so
proud of 'em I can hardly stand it. Ben sent 'em to me. Wasn't he the
dear boy to give the Mermaid such a send-off?"

"He is a nice boy, isn't he, Miss Upton?" returned the visitor
graciously. "I'm glad to see you looking so well, Miss Melody."

Geraldine certainly had plenty of color and she held to the cat as an
embarrassed actor does to a prop. "I tried to see you one day at Keefe,
but you were out."

"Yes, I was dressin' the doll that day," said Miss Mehitable, smiling.
She discerned friendliness in the air and was elated.

"The result is very nice," said Mrs. Barry graciously.

"Yes, I think blue serges are about the best thing at the seaside. I
wanted to get her one o' these here real snappy sailor dresses, but she
kept holdin' me back, holdin' me back, till it's a wonder we got any
clothes at all!" Miss Upton laughed, and as Geraldine turned toward her
with a smile, Mrs. Barry was conscious of a faint echo of that smile's
effect upon her son.

Charlotte stood at the back of the shop looking on and reflectively
picking her teeth with a pin. "She's a real good worker, Geraldine is,"
she remarked with a sniff, "I'll say that for her."

An angry flash leaped up Mrs. Barry's spine. That settled it. This
exquisite creature must not stay where that charwoman could speak of her
so familiarly.

"Certainly there has been a lot of good work done here," she said,
looking about, "but it is a little early to come down yet. I have a lot
of curtains to make for my cottage. Miss Melody"--turning to the girl
with her most winning look--"you have these people all settled, don't
you want to come home with me and help me make my curtains?"

Geraldine's heart leaped in her throat. Although she had put up a brave
front she was terribly afraid of the queen of Keefe.

"Why, that would be fine!" exclaimed Miss Mehitable, her optimistic
spirit at once seeing her clouds roll away and disperse in mist.

"I don't think everything is done her