Amid the exclamations of delight over this bit of news, the hat was forgotten for a time, and when the mother and sister finally reverted to it and began to discuss how it could have gotten on the closet shelf, he broke in upon their questions with a suggestion.

“I should advise, Mother, that you make a thorough search for your rain-coat.  I am sure now that you must have overlooked it.  Such things often happen.  We were so excited the morning Cornelia missed the hat that I suppose no one looked thoroughly.”

“But that is impossible, Tryon,” said his mother, with dignity.  “I had that closet searched most carefully.”

“Nevertheless, Mother, please me by looking again.  That closet is dark, and I would suggest a light.”

“Of course, if you wish it,” said his mother stiffly.  “You might look, yourself.”

“I’m afraid I shall not have time this morning,” professed the coward.  “But suppose you look in your own closets, too, Mother.  I’m sure you’ll find it somewhere.  It couldn’t get out of the house of itself, and Norah is no thief.  The idea is preposterous.  Please have it attended to carefully to-day.  Good-by.  I shall have to hurry down-town, and I can’t tell just what time I shall get back this evening.  ’Phone me if you find the coat anywhere.  If you don’t find it, I’ll buy you another this afternoon.”

“I shall not find the rain-coat,” said his mother sternly, “but of course I will look to satisfy you.  I know it is not in this house.”

He beat a hasty retreat, for he did not care to be present at the finding of the rain-coat.

“There is something strange about this,” said Mrs. Dunham, as with ruffled dignity she emerged from the hall closet, holding her lost rain-coat at arm’s length.  “You don’t suppose your brother could be playing some kind of a joke on us, do you, Cornie?  I never did understand jokes.”

“Of course not,” said practical Cornelia, with a sniff.  “It’s my opinion that Norah knows all about the matter, and Tryon has been helping her out with a few suggestions.”

“Now, Cornelia, what do you mean by that?  You surely don’t suppose your brother would try to deceive us—­his mother and sister?”

“I didn’t say that, Mother,” answered Cornelia, with her head in the air.  “You’ve got your rain-coat back, but you’d better watch the rest of your wardrobe.  I don’t intend to let Norah have free range in my room any more.”

[Illustration]

VIII

Meantime, the girl in Chicago was walking in a new and hard way.  She brought to her task a disciplined mind, a fine artistic taste, a delicate but healthy body, and a pair of willing, if unskilled, hands.  To her surprise, she discovered that the work for which she had so often lightly given orders was beyond her strength.  Try as she would, she could not accomplish the task of washing and ironing table napkins