.

BILLY TRIES HER HAND AT "MANAGING".
Bertram did not engage six Mary Ellens the next morning, nor even one, as it happened; for that evening, Eliza--who had not been unaware of conditions at the Strata--telephoned to say that her mother was so much better now she believed she could be spared to come to the Strata for several hours each day, if Mrs.Henshaw would like to have her begin in that way.
Billy agreed promptly, and declared herself as more than willing to put up with such an arrangement.

Bertram, it is true, when he heard of the plan, rebelled, and asserted that what Billy needed was a rest, an entire rest from care and labor.

In fact, what he wanted her to do, he said, was to gallivant--to gallivant all day long.
"Nonsense!" Billy had laughed, coloring to the tips of her ears.
"Besides, as for the work, Bertram, with just you and me here, and with all my vast experience now, and Eliza here for several hours every day, it'll be nothing but play for this little time before we go away.

You'll see!" "All right, I'll _see_, then," Bertram had nodded meaningly.