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Aileen had thus far at least paid back with beauty and interest quite as much as she received,
and all the family felt it to be so. When she was away for a day or two the house seemed
glum--the meals less appetizing. When she returned, all were happy and gay again.
Aileen understood this clearly enough in a way. Now, when it came to thinking of leaving and
shifting for herself, in order to avoid a trip which she did not care to be forced into, her courage
was based largely on this keen sense of her own significance to the family. She thought over
what her father had said, and decided she must act at once. She dressed for the street the next
morning, after her father had gone, and decided to step in at the Calligans' about noon, when
Mamie would be at home for luncheon. Then she would take up the matter casually. If they had
no objection, she would go there. She sometimes wondered why Cowperwood did not suggest,
in his great stress, that they leave for some parts unknown; but she also felt that he must know
best what he could do. His increasing troubles depressed her.
Mrs. Calligan was alone when she arrived and was delighted to see her. After exchanging the
gossip of the day, and not knowing quite how to proceed in connection with the errand which
had brought her, she went to the piano and played a melancholy air.
"Sure, it's lovely the way you play, Aileen," observed Mrs. Calligan who was unduly sentimental
herself. "I love to hear you. I wish you'd come oftener to see us. You're so rarely here
nowadays."
"Oh, I've been so busy, Mrs. Calligan," replied Aileen. "I've had so much to do this fall, I just
couldn't. They wanted me to go to Europe; but I didn't care to. Oh, dear!" she sighed, and in her
playing swept off with a movement of sad, romantic significance. The door opened and Mamie
came in. Her commonplace face brightened at the sight of Aileen.
"Well, Aileen Butler!" she exclaimed. "Where did you come from? Where have you been
keeping yourself so long?"
Aileen rose to exchange kisses. "Oh, I've been very busy, Mamie. I've just been telling your
mother. How are you, anyway? How are you getting along in your work?"
Mamie recounted at once some school difficulties which were puzzling her--the growing size of
classes and the amount of work expected. While Mrs. Calligan was setting the table Mamie
went to her room and Aileen followed her.
As she stood before her mirror arranging her hair Aileen looked at her meditatively.
"What's the matter with you, Aileen, to-day?" Mamie asked. "You look so--" She stopped to give
her a second glance.
"How do I look?" asked Aileen.
"Well, as if you were uncertain or troubled about something. I never saw you look that way
before. What's the matter?"
"Oh, nothing," replied Aileen. "I was just thinking." She went to one of the windows which looked
into the little yard, meditating on whether she could endure living here for any length of time.
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