know. From the way my
aunt and Liz talks, a body would think he intended to cut us clean off
his list."

"Liz?" Tilly asked. "I've heard John mention your aunt, but who is
Liz?"

"Liz? Why, Liz-- You know she is-- Why, Liz is his mother!"

"But--but why do you call her Liz?" Tilly asked, in wonder.

"Because that's her name. Everybody calls her Liz. I don't know-- I
can't remember that I ever heard John call her anything. He was always
cursing her--that is, when he spoke to her. I don't blame him. She is no
good and is always after him for money."

They had reached the little parlor now, and Dora sank into one of the
new chairs and swung her thin legs to and fro. She was now more at ease,
and was inspecting the room with the wide eyes of a curious child.

"Curse her?" Tilly gasped. "You don't mean that my husband would
actually curse his own mother?"

"Huh!" Dora sniffed, half absently, for she was looking admiringly at
the cheap dress Tilly had on. "Huh! you would, too, if you had to live
with her and drudge for her like me and him do. She is peevish and
fretful. If things go wrong with her when she is out at night she is a
very hell-cat in the morning. I've heard her say she was going to kill
herself, and when her and my aunt have a scrap, things fly about, I tell
you. She is mad now. Oh, my! ain't she mad at John for not telling her
about you? She drove out to his work yesterday, and, from what she told
my aunt, her and John must have had a big row, right before the men,
too. Aunt Jane told her John could have her arrested--that the judge
would be on his side. But I reckon John tried to quiet her. He always
does when she flies plumb to pieces."

Tilly's face was grave and pale. "I think I understand now," she said,
in a sinking voice. "Mrs. Trott is out of her mind; John is sensitive
about it, and--"

"Who's out of her mind--Liz?" The child laughed derisively. "Don't you
believe it! Aunt Jane says she has a clear head on her when it comes to
getting the best of any deal. They swapped dresses once and Liz hid some
big grease spots that didn't show till Aunt Jane was dancing on a
platform in the sun at a picnic. That was a whopping, big row, for the
laugh was on Aunt Jane and she had no chance to change till she got
home."

Tilly was bewildered. She told herself, as she sat peering into the
guileless eyes before her, that she must know more than she did know and
this was an opportunity.

"I made some fr