ok to the motor. Lamson jumped out and came to
the shop to get the suit-case.

"One moment more, please," said Miss Upton, and vanished upstairs. She
returned bearing a large hatbox.

"Oh, no, Miss Upton!" exclaimed Geraldine as Miss Mehitable had known
she would. "Keep that till I come back. It's a seashore hat."

"It is not," said Miss Mehitable defiantly. "It is a town hat. She got
the present of a beautiful hat, Mrs. Barry--"

"Dear Miss Upton doesn't say that she gave it to me herself," put in
Geraldine.

No, dear Miss Upton did not; for she had a New England conscience; but
she continued firmly:

"She may want to wear it; she's got a white dress."

Geraldine colored. Mrs. Barry had seen her white dress.

"By all means let us take the hat," said that lady, and Lamson bore off
the box.

"_Au revoir_, then," said Geraldine, trying to speak lightly, and
kissing Miss Mehitable. "I'll let you know what day I am coming back.
Say good-bye to Mrs. Whipp for me."

Mrs. Barry's face became inscrutable as Geraldine spoke. She had seen
the counter, and the phonograph, and in fancy she could see the
impending excursionists.

"Good-bye, Miss Upton." And the shining motor started. "To Rockcrest,
Lamson."

Miss Mehitable went back into the house. She suspected she should find
Charlotte weeping, and she did.

"I s'pose I can't never say anything right," sniffed the injured one
upon her employer's entrance.

"Never mind _us_, Charlotte," responded Miss Upton. "That's a very big
thing that's just happened. I'm so tickled I'd dance if I thought the
house would stand it."

"I don't see anything so wonderful in that stuck-up woman givin' the
girl a job o' sewin'," returned Mrs. Whipp, blowing her nose. "When will
Gerrie come back? How we'll miss her!"

"I think," said Miss Upton, impressively--"I think it is very safe to
say--Never!"

"Why, what do you mean!"

"I mean Mrs. Barry ain't goin' to let that girl stand behind my counter
this summer." Miss Mehitable gave a sudden, sly laugh. "I wasn't goin'
to let her anyway," she added, in a low tone as if the walls might have
ears, "but Mrs. Barry don't know that, and I'm glad she don't."

Miss Upton sat down and laughed and rocked, and rocked and laughed until
Mrs. Whipp began to worry.

"Thumbscrews," said Miss Mehitable, between each burst, "thumbscrews!"

"Where shall I git 'em?" asked Charlotte, rising and staring about her
vaguely.

"Nevermind. Let's have