Page:The principal girl (IA principalgirl00snai).pdf/291

 *bridge that afternoon upon Daughter-in-law, in spite of the Danger.

"That I will risk," said Mother, who at heart was an Amazon. "Only once have I seen her, and that was in Bedford Gardens, and she opened the door to me holding a potato in one hand and a knife in the other."

As the case had been represented to Father, he was quite prepared to believe even that.

"If you would like me to accompany you, Agatha," said the Proconsul gallantly, "I will cut the Select Committee this afternoon."

But Mother seemed to feel quite competent to take care of herself; and, after all, Father saw no real reason to doubt her ability.

Accordingly, at the punctual hour of half-past four that afternoon, Mother entered the lift at Park Mansions, and was hoisted in a patent elevator to the threshold of the Guilty Pair.

Happily, on this occasion her ring was answered not by a damsel, a knife and a potato, but by an undeniably smart young parlor-maid, who was quite trim enough to please the most severely critical.

Was Mrs. Shelmerdine at home?

The S. Y. P., who had charming natural manners, smiled a really very nice affirmative.

As Mother entered the domain of the Guilty Pair, it seemed to her that everything in the little vestibule,