The Quarantine at Alexander Abraham's

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 7, 18 August 1909, Page 50

The Quarantine at Alexander Abraham's

By

L. M. MONTGOMERY

Illustrations by Rollin Kirby

I REFUSED to take that. Sundayschool class the first time I was asked. Not that I objected to teaching in the Sunday-school. Oh the contrary, 1 rather liked the idea; -but it was the Rev. Aaron Crickett who asked me, and it had always been a matter of principle with me never to do anything a man asked me to do if I could help it. It saves so much trouble nnd simplifies everything so beautifully. I had always disliked men. It must (have been born in me, because, as far back as I can remember, an antipathy io men and dogs was one of my strongest Characteristics. My experiences through life only served to deepen it. The more I saw of mon, the more 1 cared for eats.

So. of course, when the Rev. Aaron asked me to take a Sunday-school class I said no in a fashion calculated to •hasten him wholesomely. If he had sent his wife the first time, as he did Ithe second, it would have been wiser. Mrs. Crickett talked smoothly- for half an hour before she mentioned Sundayschool, and paid me several compliments. Mrs. Crickett is noted for her tact. Tact is a faculty for meandering around to a given point by the longest way instead of making a bee-line. I have no tact. As soon as Mrs. Crickett’s conversation came in sight of the Sunday-school I said straight out. “What class do you want me to teach?” Mrs. Crickett was so surprised that sho forgot to be tactful, and answered plainly for once in her life: "There are two classes—one of boys and one of girls. You may have your choice, Miss MacNieol.” "Then I’ll take the boys,” I said decidedly. “Since they have to grow up to be men it’s as well to train them properly. Nuisances they are bound to become in any circumstances; but if they are taken in iiand young enough they may not grow up to be such nuisances as they otherwise would, and that will be some unfortunate woman’s gain.” Mrs. Crickett looked dubious. “They are a very wild set of boys,” the said. “I never knew boys who weren’t,” I retorted. “1—4 —think perhaps you. would like the girls best,” said Mrs. Crickett, hesitatingly. “It is not what I like best that must be considered, Mrs. Crickett,” 1 said, rebukingly. “It is what is best for those boys. I feel that 1 shall be best for them.” “Oh, I’ve no doubt of that. Miss MacNicol,” said Mrs. Crickett. It was a fib for her t minister’s wife though she was. 6be had doubt. She thought 1 would

be a dismal failure as teacher of a boys’ class. But I wasn’t. lam not often a dismal failure when I make up my mind to do a thing. “It is wonderful what a reformation you have worked in that class, Miss MaeNicol—wonderful,” said the Rev. Mr. Crickett some weeks later. Ho didn’t mean to. show how amazing a thing he thought it that an old maid, noted for being a man-hater, should have managed it, but his face betrayed him. “Where does Jimmy Fraser live?” I asked him crisply. “He came one Sunday three weeks ago and hasn’t been back since. I mean to find out why.” Mr. Crickett coughed. “I believe that he is hired as handy boy with Alexander Abraham Bennett, out on the Oriental-road,” he said. “Then I am going out to Alexander Abraham Bennett’s on the Oriental-road to see why Jimmy Fraser doesn’t come to Sunday-school,” I said firmly. Mr. Crickett’s eyes twinkled ever so slightly. “Possibly Mr. Bennett won’t appreciate your kind interest. He has—ah! — a singular aversion to your sex, I understand. No woman has ever been known to get inside of Mr. Bennett’s house since his sister died, twenty years ago.” “Oh, he’s the one, is he?” I said, remembering. “He is the woman-hater who threatens that if a woman comes into his yard lie’ll chase her out with a pitchfork. Well, he won’t chase me out!” Mr. Crickett gave a chuckle —-a ministerial chuckle, but still a chuckle. . It irritated me slightly because it seemed to imply that he thought Alexander Abraham Bennett W’ould be too much for me. But I did not show Mr. Crickett that it annoyed me. It is always a big mistake to let a man see that he can vex you. The next afternoon I harnessed my sorrel pony to the buggy and drove out to Alexander Abraham Bennett’s. As usual, I took William Adolphus with me for company. He sat up on the seat beside me and looked far more like a Christian than many a man I’ve seen in a similar position. Alexander Abraham’s place was about three miles out from the village. 1 knew the house as soon as 1 came to it by its neglected appearance. Plainly there was no woman about that place. Still, it was a nice house, and the barns were splendid. “Alexander Abraham tnay be a womanhater, but he evidently knows how to run a farm," I remarked to William

Adolphus, as I got out and tied the pony to the railing. 1 had driven uu to the house from behind, and now 1 was opposite a side door opening on the verandah. I thought I might as well go to it, so I tueked William Adolphus under my arm and marched up the path. Just as I was half-way up a dog swooped around the front corner and made straight for me. He was the ugliest dog I had ever seen, and he didn’t even bark —just came silently and speedily on, with a businesslike eye. I never stop to argue ■matters with a dog that doesn’t bark. I know when discretion is the better part of valour. Firmly clasping William Adolphus, I ran—not to the door, for the dog was between me and it, but to a big, low-branching cherry-tree at the back corner of the house. 1 reached it in time and no more. First thrusting William Adolphus on to a limb above my head, I scrambled up into that blessed tree without stopping to think how it might look to Alexander Abraham if he happened to be watching. Aly time for reflection came when I found myself perched half-way up the tree with William Adolphus, quite calm and unruffled, beside me. The dog was sitting on the ground below, .watching us, and it was quite plain from his leisurely manner that it was not his busy day. He bared his teet'h and growled when he caught my eye. “You look like a woman-hater’s dog,” 1 told him. Then I set myself to solving the question, “How am I to get out of tills predicament ?” I decided not to scream. There was probably no one to hear me except perhaps Alexander Abraham, and I had my painful doubts about his tender mercies. It was impossible to go down. Was it, then, possible to go up? I looked up. Just above my head was an open window with a tolerably stout branch right across it. Without hesitation I picked up William Adolphus and began to climb, while the dog ran in circles about the tree and looked things not lawful to be uttered. It probably would have been a relief to him to bark if it hadn’t been so against his principles. I got in by a window easily enough, and found myself in a bedroom the like of which for disorder and dust and general, awfulness I have never seen In my life. But I did not pause to gather details. With William Adolphus under by arm -I marched downstairs, fervently hoping I should meet no one on the way. I did not. The hall below was empty, and dusty. I opened the first dooh I came to, and walked boldly in. A man was sitting by the window looking out moodily. I should have known him for Alexander Abraham anywhere. He had just the same uncared-for, ragged appearance that the house had; and yet, like the house, it seemed that he would not be bad-looking if he were trimmed up a little. His hair didn’t seem ever to have been combed and his whiskers were wild in the extreme. He looked at me with blank amazement in his countenance. “ Where is Jimmy ?” 1 demanded. “I’ve come to see him.” “How did that dog ever let you in?” asked the man, staring at me. “He didn’t let me in,” I retorted. “He chased me all over the lawn, and I only saved myself from being torn to pieces by

scrambling up a tree- Then I elimbed tn by the window and came downstairs. You ought to be prosecuted for keeping such a dog. Where is Jimmy t” Instead of answering, Aterander Abraham began to laugh—not much externally, but internally, as I could see. “ Trust a woman for getting into a man’s house if she's made up her mind to,” he said disagreeably. {Seeing that it was his intention to vex me, I remained cool and collected‘•Oh, I wasn’t particular about getting into your house, Mr. Bennett,” I said, calmly. “ I hadn’t much choice in the matter—it was get in lest a worse fate befall me. It was not you or your house I wanted to see—although I admit it’s worth seeing if a person is anxious to find out how dirty a place ean be. 16 was Jimmy. For the third and last time —where is Jimmy?” “Jimmy is not here,” said Mr. Bennett. “ He left last week and hired with a man. down at Prestonville.” “ In that case,” I said, picking up William Adolphus, who was exploring the room, “ I won’t disturb you any longer. I will go.” “ Y’es, I think it would be the wisest thing,” said Alexander Abraham, not disagreeably this time, but reflectively, as if there were some doubt about the matter. “ I’ll let you out by the back door. Then the—ahem! —the dog will not interfere with you. Please go away quietly and quickly.” I said nothing, thinking this the most dignified course of conduct, and followed Alexander Abraham out to the kitchen. That kitchen! Even William Adolphus gave a meow of protest as we passed through. Cat though he was, he understood that there was something uncanny about such a place. Alexander Abraham opened the door, which was locked, just as a buggy containing two men drove into the yard. “Too late!” he exclaimed in a tragic tone. I understood that something dreadful had happened, but I did not care, since, as I fondly supposed, it did not concern me. I pushed out past Alexander Abraham —who was looking strangely guilty—and came face to face with the man who had sprung from the buggy. It was old Dr. Nicholson, and he was looking at me as if he had caught me shoplifting. “My dear Peter,” he said gravely, “t am very sorry to see you here—very sorry, indeed.” I admit that exasperated me. Besides, no man on earth, not even my old family doctor, has any right to “My dear Peter-” me. “There is no loud call for sorrow, doctor,” I said loftily. “If a woman fortyfive years of age, a member of the Presbyterian Church in good and regular standing, can’t call upon one of her Sunday school scholars without wrecking all the proprieties, how old must she be before she ean?” The doctor did not answer my question. Instead, he looked reproachfully at Alexander Abraham. “ Is this how you keep your word, Mr. Bennett?” he said- “I thought that you promised me that you would not let anyone into the house.” “ I didn’t let her in,” growled Mr. Bennett. “ Good heavens, man, she climbed in at an upstairs window despite the

presence on my grounds of a policeman and a dog! What’s to be done with a woman like that?” “ My dear Peter,” said the doctor, impressively, turning to me, " his house is under quarantine for smallpox. You will have to stay here.” Smallpox! For the first and last time in my life I openly lost my temper with a man. I wheeled furiously upon Alexander Abraham. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I cried. “Tell you!” he said, glaring at me. “ When I first saw you it was too late to tell you. I thought the kindest thing I could do was to hold my tongue and let, you get away in happy ignorance. This ■will teach you to take a man’s house by storm, madam.” “ Now, now, don’t quarrel, by good people,” interposed the doctor seriously —but I am sure I saw a grin in his eye—- “ you’ll have to spend some time together under the same roof, and you won’t improve the situation by disagreeing. You see, Peter, it was this way; Mr. Bennett was in town yesterday—where, as you are aware, there is a bad outbreak of smallpox—and took dinner in a boarding house where one of the maids was ill. Last night she developed unmistakable symptoms of smallpox. The Board of Health at once got after all the people who were in the house yesterday, so far as they could locate them, and put them under quarantine. 1 came out here this morning, and explained the matter to Mr. Bennett and vaccinated him. 1 brought Jeremiah Jeffries to guard the front of the house, and Mr. Bennett gave me his word of honour he would not let anyone in by the back way while I went to get another policeman, and wake all the necessary arrangements. I have brought Thomas Wright and have secured tiie services of another man to attend to Mr. Bennett’s barn work and bring provisions to the house. Jacob Green and Cleophas Yeo will watch at night. 1 don’t think that there is much danger of Mr. Bennett’s taking the smallpox, but until we are sure you must remain here, Peter. Have you been vaccinated ?” While listening to the doctor I had been thinking. It was the most distressing predieament that I had ever got into in niy life, but there was no use making it worse. “ Very well, doctor,” I said calmly- “ Yes, I was vaccinated a month ago when the news of the smallpox first came. When you go back to the village kindly go to Sarah Blenkhorn and ask her to live in my house during my absence and look after things, especially the eats. Tell her to give them new milk twice a day, and a square inch of butter apiece onee a week. Get her to put my two dark cotton wrappers, some aprons, and a change of underclothing in my third best valise and have it sent out to me. My pony is tied out there to the fence. Please take him home. That is all, I think.” “No, it isn’t, *■ -'.aid Alexander Abraham grumpily. “ Send that cat home, too. I won’t have a cat round the place —l’d rather have the smallpox.” I looked Alexander Abraham over gradually, beginning at his feet and travelling up to his head. Then I said gently: “ You may have both. Anyway, you’ll have to have William Adolphus. He is under quarantine as well as you and 1Do you suppose I am going to have my eat ranging at large through Amberly, scattering smallpox germs among innocent people? I’ll have to put up with that dog of yours. You will have to endure William Adolphus.” Alexander Abraham groaned, but I could see that the way I had looked him over had had its due effect. The doctor drove away, and I went into the house, not choosing to be grinned at by Thomas Wright. I hung my coat up in the hall, and laid my bonnet carefully on the sitting-room table, having first dusted a clean place for it with my handkerchief. I longed to fall upon that house at cnee and elean it up, but I had to wait until the doctor should come back with ray wrappers. I could not clean house in my new suit and a silk shirt-waist. Alexander Abraham was sitting on a chair looking at me. Presently he said, "I am not curious, but will you tell me why the doctor called you Peter?” "Because that is my name, I suppose,” 1 answered, shaking up a cushion for William Adolphus to lie on and thereby disturbing the dust of years. Alexander Abraham coughed gently. “Isn’t that a —ahem! —a rather peculiar name for a woman!* “It is,” I said, wondering how much •oap, if any, there was in the house. “I am not evrious,” said Alexander

Abraham, ‘ but would you mind telling me how you car.ie to be ealiej Peter’” “If I had been a boy, my parents intended to eall me Peter in honour of a rich nncle. When I—fortunately—turned out to be a girl, niy mother insisted that I should be called Angelina. They gave me both names and called me Angelina, but as soon as I grew old enough I determined to be called Peter. It was bad enough, but not as bad as Angelina.” “I should say it was more appropriate,” said Alexander Abraham, intending, as I perceived, to be disagreeable. “Precisely,” 1 agreed calmly. “Sly last name is MacNieol, and I live at Spinster’s Glory in Amberly. As you are not curious, that will be all the information you will need about me.” “Ah!” Alexander Abraham looked as if light; had broken in on him. “I’ve hoard of you. You—ah—pretend to dislike men.” Pretend! Goodness only knows what would have happened to Alexander Abraham just then if a diversion had not taken place. But the door was pushed open and a dog came in—the dog. I suppose he had got tired of waiting under the cherry tree. He was even uglier indoors than out. "Ah, Mr. Riley, Mr. Riley, see what you have let me in for,” said Alexander Abraham reproachfully. But Mr. Riley—since that was the brute’s name —paid no attention to Alexander Abraham. He had caught sight of William Adolphus curled up

on the cushion, and he started across the room to investigate him. William Adolphus sat up and began to take notice. “Call off that dog,” I said warningly to Alexander Abraham. “Call him off yourself,” he retorted. “Since you’ve brought that eat here you can protect him.” “Oh, it wasn’t for the cat’s sake I spoke,” I said ominously. “William Adolphus can protect himself.” William Adolphus could and did. He humped his back, flattened his ears, swore once, and then made a flying leap for Mr. Riley, who by that time was quite close. William Adolphus landed, squarely on Mr. Riley’s brindled back, and promptly took fast hold, spitting and clawing and caterwauling. You never saw a more astonished dog than Mr. Riley. With a yell of terror he bolted out to the kitchen, out of the kitchen into the hall, through the hall into the room, and so into the kitchen and round again. With each circuit ho went faster and faster, till he looked like a brindled streak with a dash of black and white on top. Such a racket and commotion I never heard, and I laughed until the tears came into my eyes. Mr. Riley fled around and around, and William Adolphus held on grimly and clawed. Alexander Abraham turned purple with rage, ■ “Woman, call off that infernal cat before he kills my dog,” he shouted above the din of yelps and yowls. “Oh, he won’t kill him,” I called reassuringly, “and he’s going too fast to

hear me if I did call him. If you can stop the dog, Mr. Bennett, I’ll guarantee to make William Adolphus listen to reason, but there’s no use trying to argue with a lightning flash.” Alexander Abraham made a frantic lunge at the brindled streak as it whirled past him, with the result that he overbalanced himself and went sprawling on the floor with a crash. When he picked himself up, he said viciously, “I wish you and your fiend of a cat were in—in ” “Amberly,” I finished quickly. “»So do I, Mr. Bennett, but since we are not, let us make the best of it, like sensible ■people.” With this the end came, and T was thankful, for tho noise those two animals made was so terrific that T expected the policemen would be rushing in, smallpox or no smallpox, to see if Alexander Abraham and T were trying to murder each other. Mr. Riley suddenly veered in his mad course, and bolted into a dark corner between the stove and the wood-box. W’Hiam Adolphus let go just in time. There was never any more trouble with Mr. Riley after that. A meeker, more thoroughly chastened dog von could not find. William Adolphus had the best of it, and he knot it. Seeing that things had calmed down, and that it was 5 o’clock, T decided to get tea. T told Alexander Abraham that T would prepare it if he would show mo where the eatables were. “You needn’t mind,” said Alexander

Abraham viciously. “I’ve been in the habit of getting niy own tea for 20 years.” “I dare say; but you haven’t been in the habit of getting mine,” I said firmly. “I wouldn't eat anything you cooked if I starved to death. If you want some occupation, you’d better get some salve and anoint the scratches on that dog’s back.” Alexander Abraham said something that I prudently did not hear. Seeing that he had no information to hand out, I Went on an exploring expedition into the pantry. The place was awful beyond description, and for the first time a vague sentiment of pity for Alexander Abraham glimmered in my breast. When a man had to live in -such surroundings the wonder was, not that he hated women, but that he didn’t hate the whole human race. But I got a supper up somehow. I made good tea and excellent toast, and I found a can of peaches in the pantry, which, being bought, I wasn’t afraid to eat. As for the bread, it looked decent, and I took it on faith. That tea and toast mellowed Alexander Abraham in spite of himself. He ate the last crust, and didn’t growl when I gave William Adolphus all the eream that was left. By this time the doctor's hoy had arrived with my valise. Alexander Abraham gave me to understand that there was a spare room across the hall, and that I might take possession of it, since I had to be put somewhere. I went to it, and put on one of my wrappers.

"■Now,” 1 said briskly, revnrning to tne kitchen, “I’m going to clean up, and I’m going to begin with this kitchen. You’d better betake yourself to the sit-ting-room, Mr. Bennett, so’s to be out of the way.” Alexander Abraham glared at me. “I’m not going to have my house meddled with,” he snapped. “It suits me. If you don’t like it, you can leave it.” “No, I can’t. That is just the trouble.’’ I said pleasantly. “If I could leave it. I shouldn’t be here a minute. Since I can’t, it simply has to be cleaned. Go into the sitting-room.” Alexander Abraham went. As he closed the door I heard him say, “What an awful woman!” I cleaned that kitchen and the pantry adjoining, It was ten o’clock when 1 finished, and Alexander Abraham had gone to bed without deigning further speech. 1 locked Mr. Riley in on • loom and William Adolphus in another, and went to bed, too. 1 never felt so dead tired in my life. But I was up bright and early the next morning, and got a tip-top break fafit, which Alexander Abraham condescended to eat. When the provision man came into the yard 1 called to him from the window tb bring me a box of soap in the afternoon, and then 1 tack led the sitting-room. It took me the Lest part of a week to get that house in order, but I did it thoroughly, and at the end of the time it was clean from garret to cellar. Alexander Abraham mad" no comments on my operations, though he groaned loud and often, and said caustic things to poor Mr. Riley, who hadn’t the spirt to answer back after his drubbing by William Adolphus. I made allowances for Alexander Abraham because his vaccination had taken, and his arm was real sore; and I cooked elegant meals, not having much else to do once 1 got things scoured up. The house was full of provision;' —Alexander Abraham wasn’t mean about such things, I will say for ■him. Altogether, I wa- more comfortable thin 1 hid expected to b?. When Alexander Abraham wouldn’t talk I let him alone; end when he would, I said just as sarcastic things as he did, only I said them smiling and pleacant.. I could see h? had a \;j: desoine awe of me. One day Alexander Abraham astonished me by appearing at the dinnertable with hi- hair brushed, and a white collar on. We had a tip top dinner that day. and 1 made a pudding that was positively wasted on a womanhater. *Whcn Alexander Abraham had disposed of two platefuls of it he sighed, and said:—“You can certainly cook. It’s a pi tv you are such a detestable crank in other re-pects.” “It’s kind of convenient being a crank,” I said. “People are careful how they meddle with you. Haven’t you found that out in your own experience?” “I am not a crank!” growled Alexander Abraham resentfully. “All I ask is to be let alone.” “That’s the very crankiest kind of a crank,” I said. “A person who wants to be let alone Hies in the face of Providence, who decreed that folks for their own good were not to lie let alone. But cheer up, Mr. Bennett. The quarantine will be up on Tuesday, and then you’ll certainly be let alone for the rest of your natural life, so far as William Adolphus and I are concerned. You may then return to your wallowing in the mire, and bp as dirty and comfortable as of yore.” Alexander Abraham growled again. The prospect didn’t seem to cheer him up as much as I’d expected. Then he did an amazing thing. He poured some cream into a saucer, and set it down before William Adolphus. Neither Alexander Abraham nor I had worried much about the smallpox. We didn’t believe be would take it. for he hadn’t even seen the girl who was sick. But the very next /morning I heard him calling me from the upstairs landing. “Miss Mac Nicol,” ho said in a voice so uncommonly mild and polite that it gave me a jump, “what are the symptemfi of smallpox?” “Chills and flushes, pain in the limbs and back, nausea ami vomiting.” I answered prpjnptly, for I had been reading them up in a patent-medicine almanac. “I’ve got them all,” said Alexander Abraham solemnly. I didn’t feel as much scared as I should have expected. After endnrl®*

• ■woman-hater, and a brindled dog, •nd the early disorder of that house, ■mallpox seemed rather insignificant. 1 (Went to the window, and called to Thomas Wright to send for the doctor. The doctor came down from Alexander Abraham’s room broking grave. ■ "It is impossible to pronounce on lis Jiseaae yet,” he said. “There is no cerainty until the eruption appears. But, t>f course, there ro every likelihood that it is the smallpox. It is very unfortunate. I am afraid that it will be very difficult to get a nurse. All the nurses in town who will take smallpox cases •re overbusy now, for the epidemic is •till raging there. However, I’ll go into town to-night and do my best. MeanWhile, as Mr. Bennett does not require •ny attendance at present, you must ■ot go near him, Peter.”

’ I wasn’t going to take orders from any man, and as sdon as the doctor had gone I marched straight up to Alexander Abraham’s room with some dintier for him on a tray. There was a lemon cream that I thought he could eat if he had the smallpox. "Yon shouldn’t come near me,” he growled. “You are risking your life.” "Pm not going to see a fellow creature starve to death, even if he is a tnan,” I retorted. I “The worst of it all,” groaned Alexander Abraham between mouthfuls of lemon cream, “is that the doctor says S’ve got to have a nurse. I’ve got so kind of used to you being in the house that I don’t mind you, but the thought of another woman coming here is too much. Did you give my poor dog anything to cat?” “He has had a better dinner than Ju any a Christian,” I said severely. Alexander Abraham need not have Worried about another woman coming in. The doctor came back that night jrith care on his brow. “I don’t know what is to be done,” lie said. “I can’t get a soul to come fcere.” \ “I will nurse Mr. Bennett,” I said with dignity. “It is my duty, and, Shank Heaven, I never shirk my duty. (Ho is a man, and 'he has smallpox, and lie keeps a vile dog, but I’m not going to see him die for want of attendance for all that.” "Well, if you’re not afraid to take Hie risk,” said the doctor, looking relieved, manlike, as soon as he found ft woman to shoulder the responsibility. I nursed Alexander Abraham through the smalljiox, and I didn’t mind it much. He was much more amiable sick than well, and he had the disease in a ycry mild form. Below stairs I reigned supreme, and Mr. Riley and William Adolphus lay down together like the Hon and the lamb. I fed Mr. Stiley regularly, and once, seeing him looking lonesome, I patted him gingerly. It was nicer than I’d thought it Mould be. When Alexander Abraham got able to sit up he began to make up for the time he’d lost being pleasant. Anything snore sarcastic than that man during bis convalescence you couldn’t imagirte. I just laughed at him, having found Out that that could be depended on to irritate him. To irritate hhn still further I cleaned the house all over again. But what vexed him most of al] was

that Mr. Riley took to following me about and wagging what he had of a tail at me. “It wasn’t enough that you should come into my peaceful home and turn it upside down, but you have to alienate the affections of my dog,” complained Alexander Abraham. “He’ll get fond of y<ou again when I go home,” 1 eaid comfortingly. “Dogs aren't very particular that way. What they want ia bones. Cats now, they Jove disinterestedly. William Adolphus has never swerved in his allegiance to me although you do give him cream on the sly.” Alexander Abraham looked foolish. He hadn't thought I knew that. I didn't take the smallpox, and in another week the doctor came out and eent the policeman home. I was disinfected

and William Adolphus was fumigated, and then we were free to go. “Good-bye, Mt. Bennett,” I said, offering to shake hands in a forgiving spirit. “I’ve no doubt that you’re glad to be rid of me, but you’re no gladder than I am to go. I suppose this house will be dirtier than ever in a month’s time, and Mr. Riley will have discarded the little polish his manners have taken on. Re-

formation with men and dogs never goes very deep.” With this Parthian shaft I walked out of that house, supposing that I had seen the last of it and of Alexander Abraham. I was glad to get back home, of course; but it did eeem queer and lonesome. The cats hardly knew me and William Adolphus rowmed around forlornly and appeared to feel like an exile. I didn't take as much pleasure in cooking *a usual, for it seemed kind of foolish to be fussing over oneself. The neighbours avoided me pointedly, for they cou’dn’t get rid of the fear that I might erupt into smallpox at any moment; my Sun-day-school class had been given to another woman, and altogether I felt as if I didn’t belong anywhere. I liad existed like this for a week when Alexander Abraham suddenly appeared. He walked in one evening at dusk, but at first sight I didn’t know him, he was eo spruced and barbered up. But William Adolphus knew him. Will you believe it, William Adolphus, my own William Adolphus, rubbed up against this man’s trouser leg with an undisguised purr of satisfaction? “I had to come, Angelina,” said Alexander Abraham. “I couldn’t stand it any longer.” “My name is Peter,” I said, coldly, although I was feeling ridiculously glad about something. “It isn’t,” said Alexander Abraham, stubbornly. “It is Angelina for me and always will be. I will never call you Peter. Angelina just suits you exactly. And Angelina Bennett would suit you still better. You’ve got to come back, Angelina. Mr. Riley is moping for you, and I can’t get along without somebody to appreciate my sarcasms, now that you’ve accustomed me to the luxury.” “What about the other five cats?” I demanded. Alexander Abraham sighed. “I suppose they’ll have to come, too,” he said. “It’s awful to think of living with six cats, but it’s worse to think of living without you. How soon can you be ready to marry me?” “I haven’t said that I am going to marry you at all, have I?” I said tartly, just to be consistent. For I wasn’t feeling tart. “No; but you will, won’t you?” said Alexander Abraham, anxiously. “Because if you won’t I wish you’d let me die of the smallpox. Do, dear Angelina.” To think that a man should dare to call me his “dear Angelina”! And to think that I shouldn’t mind!