Aunt Lois must have been stunned into silence by this; certainly she acted strangely and secretively after that, and was snappish at the children. Mr. Hartwell did not come any more, but on her weekly trips to Cleveland she always brought back a box of Eugenia Candies, and a Cosmopolitan, his favorite magazine. Though she said these trips were to visit her mother, she was vague in her news of Hodge Street, and was preoccupied a great deal of the time. She did not like Lena bringing Mary Evelyn home after school, finally forbidding it outright because Mary Evelyn’s mother was a gossip and troublemaker, she said. Lena was not to be denied her social life, and visited Mary Evelyn’s home instead, because her papa said she could. When Papa said she was not to wear her Sunday shoes to school, Lena answered that Aunt Lois said she could, so she was able to manage an agreeable state of independence.

It was Lena’s fault that Mary Evelyn was present and able to inform the town the day Mr. Hartwell’s Mabel called on Aunt Lois. Lena had defied Aunt Lois by bringing Mary Evelyn in for cookies, inasmuch as Aunt Lois wasn’t expected home from Lesterville till six. Marcia and Florrie were playing jacks on the front stoop when a large blond woman, dressed elaborately in velvet and feather trimmings, came up the walk. Marcia was pleased to see this was Mabel, part of the old hotel parties. But Mabel was in no state for friendliness.

“Where’s your aunt?” she asked.

Marcia and Florrie reported in unison that she was away. Mabel set her jaw and said she could wait. And wait she did, sitting upright in the parlor without taking off her kid gloves or hat for nearly an hour. Lena and Mary Evelyn peeked at her from time to time, curiously. A few minutes after six o’clock a cab drew up and out stepped Aunt Lois, laden with bundles, accompanied by Mr. Sweeney. As soon as they entered the house the lady visitor began to shout. There was a scream from Aunt Lois, a sound of bundles dropping and panting voices, with Mr. Sweeney softly exclaiming, “Ladies! Ladies!” Presently Mabel came running out, red-faced and dishevelled, many tears streaming down her cheeks, muttering, “Oh, oh, oh, oh my God!”

Mr. Sweeney consoled Aunt Lois, who lay back on the sofa white as a sheet, trembling.

“I really believe she had a gun,” said Mr. Sweeney. “What on earth was she after you for? What was she shouting about her man and who is she? I’d better call the police.”

“No,” said Aunt Lois briefly. She drew her hand restlessly away from Mr. Sweeney’s soothing touch. “She’s some crazy woman that mixed me up with somebody.”

“I’d better stay here to see she doesn’t come back,” said Mr. Sweeney gravely, patting her hand again.

“Oh, for God’s sake, leave me be!” cried Aunt Lois desperately, pushing him aside. “Can’t you see I’m upset?”