t it. Like
everything else, however, the touch of the child's tight-clinging arms
about her neck brought her back to her preoccupation. Ariadne must not
be allowed to grow up to such a regret as she felt, that she had never
known her father. There were moments, she saw them clearly, when Paul
realized with difficulty the fact of his daughter's existence, and he
never realized it as a fact involving any need for a new attitude on his
part.

"When is Daddy coming back to us _vis_ time?" asked Ariadne over her
egg.

Anastasia paused furtively at the door. She had had a divination of
trouble in the last talk between her master and mistress. The door had
slammed. Mr. Hollister had not called for the tie she was pressing for
him in the kitchen--'Stashie told herself fiercely that "killing wud be
too good for her, makin' trouble like the divil's own!" She listened
anxious for Lydia's answer.

"Daddy's coming back to us as soon as his business is done," said Paul's
wife. At the turn of her phrase she turned cold, and added with a quick
vehemence: "No, no! before that! Long before that!" She went on, to
cover her agitation and get the maid out of the room, "'Stashie, get the
baby a glass of milk."

"The front door bell's ringin'," said 'Stashie, departing in that
direction, with the assurance of her own ability to choose the proper
task for herself, so exasperating to her master.

She came back bringing Miss Burgess in her wake, Miss Burgess
apologizing for "coming right _in_, that way," exclaiming effusively at
the pretty picture made by mother and child,--"She must be such company
for you, Miss Lydia"--Miss Burgess, deferential, sure of her own
position and her hostess', and determinedly pleased with the general
state of things. Lydia repressed a sigh of impatience, but, noting the
tired lines in the little woman's face, told Anastasia to make another
cup of tea for Miss Burgess and cook her an egg.

"Oh, delighted, I'm sure! Quite an honor to have the same lunch with
little Miss Hollister."

Ariadne did not smile at this remark, though from the speaker's accent
it was meant as a pleasantry.

Miss Burgess cast about in her mind for another bit of suitable
badinage, but finding none, she began at once on the object of her
visit.

"Now, my dear, I want you to listen to all I have to say before you make
one objection. It's an idea of my very own. You'll let me get through
without interruption?"

"Yes, oh, yes," mur