IN THE BEGINNING 



Her quiet " I won't " ended the interview. 

 Solomon may have been wise for his age and 

 generation, but he was not in the same class 

 with Viola. 



Additional help was needed in the laundry on 

 one occasion, and Hortense found it after break- 

 fast in a hammock on the laundry porch. 



" So you have come to help us, have you ? " 

 she asked ; " and what is your name ? " 



" Miss Wilder," was the response, as she con- 

 tinued swinging. Her reign over the tubs was 

 but a brief one. 



Of course I am the mildest-mannered of men, 

 and once when a nursemaid of pure Celtic extrac- 

 tion was leaving us, Hortense absolutely refused 

 to give her a recommendation. Out of pure 

 good nature (Hortense declares it was only want 

 of conscience), I gave Nora a certificate that was 

 worthy of framing. In return Nora came to my 

 library to bid me good-by, but totally ignored 

 Hortense. I can see the maiden now, dressed 

 in her very best " afternoon-out " garments, as 

 she stood in the doorway. 



" Good-by, Misther Dexter," she said. " Ye 

 hev always threated me loik th' gintleman that 

 ye are. Thefe may be them as says ye hev a hoi 



19 



