Madge a persistent little cough. We
didn't consider it anything serious. She didn't herself, and when Oliver
dropped in one night at Will's and my house, just a week before the
Fourth of July, and said something about spots on her lungs, and
Colorado immediately, it was a shock. The doctor wanted Madge to start
within a week. He was going out to Colorado with another patient and
could take her along with him at the same time. He would allow only
Marjorie, the oldest little girl, to accompany her mother. The others
must positively be left behind. He couldn't predict anything. The lungs
were in a serious condition. However, if the climate proved beneficial,
Madge would have to stay in Colorado at least six months.

Now Oliver and Madge live very economically. They can't afford
governesses and trained nurses. Madge, poor girl, had to go away not
knowing what arrangement was to be made for the care of the two little
girls and infant son, the first Vars heir, by the way, whom she left
behind. Oliver went as far as Hilton with her and got off there with his
motherless brood, joining us at Edith's, while Madge and Marjorie were
whisked away out West with the doctor and the other patient.

I felt sorry for Oliver. He was anxious and worried, seemed helpless and
inadequate. The children hung on him and asked endless questions. He
was tired, poor boy, and disheartened. The arrangement we suggested for
the children did not please him. Edith had generously offered to assume
the care of the little Vars heir. I had said that I would take. Emily,
and to Elise was allotted Becky, aged three. We were all in Edith's
living-room talking about it, when Ruth suddenly appeared on the scene.

Now Ruth is an interior decorator. Her shop is one of the most
successful and exclusive in New York City. We're all very proud of Ruth.
When she appeared that day so unexpectedly at the Homestead, I spied her
first coming up the walk to Edith's door.

"Well--look what's coming!" I exclaimed, for Ruth was not alone. She was
carrying Oliver's littlest girl, Becky.

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Edith.

"Is it Ruth?" asked Malcolm, staring hard through his thick,
near-sighted glasses.

"Has she got Becky?" inquired Oliver.

"Explain yourself," laughed Alec, going to the screen door and letting
Ruth in.

We all gathered round her.

"Hello, everybody," she smiled at us over Becky's shoulder. She was warm
with walking. "Nothing to explain. Just decid