thought she knew her place. I
thought she understood that I employed her out of kindness; and she's
abused my confidence outrageously."

"You can't speak that way of that young woman; she's been very good to
you. She's come to see you nearly every day and shown you many
kindnesses. It is kind of her to be tutoring Blackford at all when she
came to the lake for rest."

"For rest!"

She gulped at the enormity of this; it was beyond belief that any
intelligent being could have been deceived in a matter that was as plain
as daylight to any understanding. "You think she came here for rest!
Don't you know that she's hung herself around Aunt Sally's neck, and
that she's filling Aunt Sally's head with all manner of wild ideas?
She's been after Aunt Sally's money ever since she saw that she could
influence her. Did you ever know of Aunt Sally's taking up any other
girl? Has she ever traveled over the country with Marian or shown any
such interest in her own flesh and blood?"

"Please quiet yourself. You'll have Blackford and the nurse down here in
a minute. You know perfectly well that Aunt Sally started Elizabeth
House long before she had ever heard of this girl, and you know that
your aunt is a vigorous, independent woman who is not led around by
anybody."

Her nostrils quivered and her eyes shone with tears. She leveled her arm
at him rigidly.

"I saw you walking with that girl yesterday! When she left here at noon
you came down from the den and walked along to Aunt Sally's gate with
her. I could see you through the trees from my bed, laughing and talking
with her. I suppose it was then you arranged for her to come and sit
with you on the veranda when you thought I was asleep!"

He took a step toward her and seized the outstretched hand roughly.

"You are out of your senses or you wouldn't speak in this way of Miss
Garrison. She's been a kind friend to you all summer; you've told me
yourself self how she's gone up to brush your hair and do little things
for you that the nurse couldn't do as well. You've grown morbid from
being ill so long, but nothing was ever more infamous than your
insinuations against Miss Garrison. She's a noble girl and it's not
surprising that Aunt Sally should like her. Everybody likes her!"

Having delivered this blow he settled himself more firmly on his feet
and glared.

"Everybody likes her!" she repeated, snatching away her hand. "I'd like
to know how you come to know so much about h