. None of them has stayed with her very long. She requires
a sort of combination friend and lady's maid and secretary and waitress,
and I don't think our Mary-'Gusta would enjoy that sort of job. I
certainly shouldn't--with Clara."

His wife was indignant. "I might have known you would be ready with the
cold water," she declared. "Clara is--well, cranky, and particular and
all that, but the opportunity is wonderful. The girl would travel and
meet the best people--"

"She might remove their wraps, I admit."

"Nonsense! And if Clara took a fancy to her she might leave her a good
sum of money when she died."

"Perhaps, providing the girl didn't die first. No, Gertrude, I'm
sorry to disappoint you, but I don't think much of your idea. Anyway,
according to my belief, you're approaching this thing from the wrong
end. It isn't the girl herself you should try to influence, but her
uncles, or guardians, or whatever they are. If I know her, and I've been
making some inquiries, she won't leave them. She will consider that they
need her at the house and store and she'll stay. They are the ones to
influence. If the matter of her welfare and future was put to them in
the right light they might--well, they might sacrifice themselves to
benefit her."

"Rubbish! I know I'm right. She'll jump at the opportunity. I shall tell
her about it this very afternoon."

"She won't accept; I'll bet on it."

His principal reason for non-belief in Mary-'Gusta's acceptance was his
knowledge of his wife's lack of tact. The girl did not consider herself,
nor was she, a subject of charity. And the position of combination
friend and servant would not appeal to her. John Keith had an idea of
his own concerning Mary-'Gusta, but it could wait until his wife's had
failed.

It failed, of course, and Mrs. Keith, that evening, was indignant and
angry.

"I never was so treated in my life," she declared. "That girl didn't
know her place at all. I'm through. I wash my hands of the whole
matter."

"Wasn't she polite?" inquired Keith.

"Oh, she was polite enough, as far as that goes, but she wouldn't even
consider my proposal. Wouldn't even hear me through. She said she had no
thought of leaving South Harniss. She was quite satisfied and contented
where she was. One would think I had come to ask a favor instead of
conferring one. Why, she seemed to think my plan almost ridiculous."

"Did she say so?"

"No, of course she didn't. She thanked me and