"Indeed I do! And I think it's mighty good of you to take me. But— SHOULD you, do you think? Haven't you got enough, with your father to care for? Won't it be too hard for you?"

She shook her head.

"I think not. Besides, I'm going to have help. Annabelle and Florence Martin, a farmer's daughters are very anxious to be in town to attend school this winter, and I have said that I would take them. They will work for their board."

The man gave a disdainful sniff.

"I can imagine how much work you'll let them do! It strikes me the 'help' is on the other foot. However, we'll let that pass. I shall be glad enough to come, and I'll stay—unless I find you're doing too much and going beyond your strength. But, how about—your father?"

"Oh, he won't mind. I'll arrange that he proposes the idea himself. Besides,"—she twinkled merrily—"you really get along wonderfully with father, you know. And, as for the work—I shall have more time now: Hattie will have some one else to care for her headaches, and Jane won't put down any more carpets, I fancy, for a while."

"Well, I should hope!" he shrugged. "Honestly, Miss Maggie, one of the best things about this Blaisdell money, in my eyes, is that it may give you a little rest from being chief cook and bottle washer and head nurse combined, on tap for any minute. But, say, that woman WILL spend some of that money, won't she?"

Miss Maggie smiled significantly.

"I think she will. I saw Frank last evening—though I didn't think it necessary to say so to her. He came to see me. I think you'll find that they move very soon, and that the ladies of the family have some new clothes."

"Well, I hope so."

"You seem concerned."

"Concerned? Er—ah—well, I am," he asserted stoutly. "Such a windfall of wealth ought to bring happiness, I think; and it seemed to, to Mrs. Hattie, though, of course, she'll learn better, as time goes on how to spend her money. But Mrs. Jane—And, by the way, how is Miss Flora bearing up—under the burden?"

Miss Maggie laughed.

"Poor Flora!"

"'Poor Flora'! And do I hear 'Poor Maggie' say 'Poor Flora'?"

"Oh, she won't be 'poor' long," smiled Miss Maggie. "She'll get used to it—this stupendous sum of money—one of these days. But just now she's nearly frightened to death."

"Frightened!"

"Yes-both because she's got it, and because she's afraid she'll lose it. That doesn't sound logical, I know, but Flora isn't being logical just now. To begin with, she hasn't the least idea how to spend money. Under my careful guidance, however, she has bought her a few new dresses—though they're dead black—"

"Black!" interrupted the man.