“Goodness knows,” rejoined her husband with a groan.  “Annabel Coffin said so much the last time she was here that my head buzzes now when I think of her.”

“Now, you hesh!” said Prudence.  “Never can interest a man in such things.  So you sold laces, did you, my dear?  Oh, Ida May!” she exclaimed suddenly to Sheila, sitting on the other side of the table.  “Ida May, what did you say you sold in that store?  You worked for Hoskin & Marl, didn’t you?”

“Ye-es.  I—­I was in the silverware and jewelry department,” stammered Sheila, the question coming so unexpectedly that she could not exercise consideration before making answer.

“Now, is that so?” cried Prudence.  “That must have been nice.  To handle all them pretty things.  But lace is pretty, too,” she added, turning quickly to the guest again.  “I expect you find it so.”

The old woman was startled into silence by the expression she saw upon Ida May’s face.  The latter was glaring across the table at Sheila.  No other word could so express the intense and malevolent look in those greenish-brown eyes and on that sharp countenance.

Sheila’s gaze was enthralled as well by Ida May’s sudden emotion.  She half rose from her chair.  But her strength left her limbs again, and she fell back into the seat.

“What’s the matter, Ida May?” demanded Cap’n Ira, in wonder and alarm.

The real Ida May sprang up with a shriek.  She shook her hand at Sheila and for a moment could not articulate.  Then she said: 

“I know her now!  I knew I’d seen that creature before and I thought I’d remember what and who she is.  And she dares come down here and sneak her way into honest people’s houses!  The gall of her!”

CHAPTER XXVIII

GONE

“Looker here, girl!” exclaimed Cap’n Ira sternly.  Putting his hand upon Ida May’s shoulder, he forced her down into her chair again.  His own eyes gleamed angrily, and his countenance expressed his wrath.  “What was you told on coming here?  Didn’t you promise to keep a taut line on all that foolishness?  I won’t stand for it.  No, Prudence!” he exclaimed, as his wife tried to interfere.  “I won’t stand for it.  She must either keep away from that business, or I’ll put her right out of the house.  Leastways, it being night, I’ll send her to her room.”

“Do you think you can boss me like that?” cried Ida May hotly, so angry herself that she forgot her fear of him.  “I’m not your slave, nor your hired help, like that creature.”  She pointed scornfully at Sheila.  “And you’ll just listen to something I’ve got to say.  If you don’t, I’ll go out to-morrow and tell everybody in this hick town.  I’ll hire a hall to tell ’em in!”

“Won’t—­won’t you be good, deary?” begged Prudence, before her husband could make any rejoinder to this defiance.  “You know you promised Elder Minnett you would be if we let you come here.”