Part 20 (1/2)

”Well, I really must thank Suzanna,” said Mrs. Procter. ”She insisted upon a picnic because the day started wrong. The house is all upset though,” she finished, as they went into the kitchen.

”The house?” he returned, gazing vaguely about. ”It looks all right to me. Suppose, Jane, he should really be won over to believe in the machine. Oh, I never hoped I could interest him!”

”It may be the beginning of a great day,” she answered. He put his arm about her.

”What should I do without you to encourage, to help,” he said.

”That's my privilege,” she said softly.

Bending, he kissed her.

BOOK II

CHAPTER XI

THE INDIAN DRILL

Mid September and school days.

”I like my new teacher, that's why I'm happy,” Suzanna told her mother at the end of the first school day.

”I saw her,” said Maizie, who was a pupil at public school for the second year. ”She holds her arm funny.”

Suzanna flushed darkly. ”She's beautiful,” she averred; ”she's my teacher.”

”But didn't you see her arm?”

”No,” said Suzanna, ”I did not.”

Maizie cried out triumphantly: ”Well, that's the first time you didn't see something I saw.”

Suzanna did not answer. She could not voice her emotions.

”Well, I don't want you or anyone in the whole world even to notice Miss Smithson's arm,” she flung out, and so Maizie was silenced.

Suzanna glanced through the window.

”Why there's father,” cried Suzanna; ”I wonder why he's coming home so early?”

Mr. Procter came hurriedly down the path, pushed open the front door, and with no word sprang up the stairs. To the attic, the children knew.

”He must have thought of something to do to The Machine,” said Maizie.

”Yes,” Suzanna answered; ”whenever he has that still look on his face he has a new idea.”

”Someone must be taking his place at the store,” said Mrs. Procter. ”I'm glad the baby's asleep. Be very quiet, children. Father may have a splendid thought--why there, he's coming downstairs again.”