e," said Geraldine; "I don't think
you can spare me."

"Of course I can," returned Miss Mehitable vehemently. "You can go just
as well as not." She perceived that this was not at all the answer the
girl wanted, but she was determined to override all objections and even
Geraldine's own feelings.

The latter looked at Mrs. Barry with a faint smile. She only hoped that
Miss Upton's mental processes were not such an open book to the visitor
as they were to herself. She saw plainly that if it came to the
necessity Miss Mehitable would throw her into the motor with her own
hands.

"She is not very complimentary, is she?" she remarked. "I thought I was
so important."

"She hain't seen the Port yet either. Have you, Gerrie?" came from the
back of the store.

Miss Mehitable turned on the speaker. "As if there was any hurry about
that!" she said, so fiercely that Charlotte evaporated through the back
door of the shop into the regions beyond.

"I'm sure you were important," said Mrs. Barry, "but it is I who need
you now."

"I'll help you get your things," said Miss Upton, moving to the stairs
with alacrity.

Geraldine dropped Pearl. She could not defend her any longer.

"Wait, Miss Upton," said Mrs. Barry. "How would it be for you to pack
Miss Melody's trunk and express it after we are gone?"

Miss Mehitable's face was one broad beam. A trunk!

"She hasn't got any," she replied. "Of course hers was left in that No
Man's Land and we just brought things down here in suit-cases and
boxes."

"Very well, then, we can take them with us."

"But I shan't need--" began Geraldine.

Mrs. Barry interrupted her. "It is always hard to foresee just what one
will need even in a week's time. We may as well take everything."

"Such a small everything," added Geraldine.

A little pulse was beating in her throat. She dreaded to find herself
alone with this _grande dame_. She believed that Ben had kept his
promise and that this move of his mother was being made of her own
volition, but in what capacity was she being invited? Was it a case of
giving a piece of employment to a needy girl in her son's absence, or
was she being asked on the footing of a friend? In any case, she knew
her lover would wish her to go, and as for Miss Upton she would use
violence if necessary.

She went upstairs and came down wearing the black sailor hat of the
Keefe brand, and carrying a suit-case. Miss Mehitable followed with
sundry boxes which she to