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doing. She put her bag down on a street corner, finally, to rest. A boy whistling in the distance
attracted her attention, and as he drew near she called to him: "Boy! Oh, boy!"
He came over, looking at her curiously.
"Do you want to earn some money?"
"Yes, ma'am," he replied politely, adjusting a frowsy cap over one ear.
"Carry this bag for me," said Aileen, and he picked it up and marched off.
In due time she arrived at the Calligans', and amid much excitement was installed in the bosom
of her new home. She took her situation with much nonchalance, once she was properly placed,
distributing her toilet articles and those of personal wear with quiet care. The fact that she was
no longer to have the services of Kathleen, the maid who had served her and her mother and
Norah jointly, was odd, though not trying. She scarcely felt that she had parted from these
luxuries permanently, and so made herself comfortable.
Mamie Calligan and her mother were adoring slaveys, so she was not entirely out of the
atmosphere which she craved and to which she was accustomed.
Chapter XLVI
Meanwhile, in the Butler home the family was assembling for dinner. Mrs. Butler was sitting in
rotund complacency at the foot of the table, her gray hair combed straight back from her round,
shiny forehead. She had on a dark-gray silk dress, trimmed with gray-and-white striped ribbon.
It suited her florid temperament admirably. Aileen had dictated her mother's choice, and had
seen that it had been properly made. Norah was refreshingly youthful in a pale-green dress,
with red-velvet cuffs and collar. She looked young, slender, gay. Her eyes, complexion and hair
were fresh and healthy. She was trifling with a string of coral beads which her mother had just
given her.
"Oh, look, Callum," she said to her brother opposite her, who was drumming idly on the table
with his knife and fork. "Aren't they lovely? Mama gave them to me."
"Mama does more for you than I would. You know what you'd get from me, don't you?"
"What?"
He looked at her teasingly. For answer Norah made a face at him. Just then Owen came in and
took his place at the table. Mrs. Butler saw Norah's grimace.
"Well, that'll win no love from your brother, ye can depend on that," she commented.
"Lord, what a day!" observed Owen, wearily, unfolding his napkin. "I've had my fill of work for
once."
"What's the trouble?" queried his mother, feelingly.
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