say in the old country."

"Was he cross?" her niece asked indifferently.

"Olaf? Oh, no! He was in fine spirits. He's never cross if
you know how to take him. I never knew a man to make so little
fuss about bills. I gave him a list of things to get a yard
long, and he didn't say a word; just folded it up and put it in
his pocket."

"I can well believe he didn't say a word," Clara remarked
with a shrug. "Some day he'll forget how to talk."

"Oh, but they say he's a grand speaker in the Legislature.
He knows when to keep quiet. That's why he's got such influence
in politics. The people have confidence in him." Johanna beat up
a pillow and held it under her fat chin while she slipped on the
case. Her niece laughed.

"Maybe we could make people believe we were wise, Aunty, if
we held our tongues. Why did you tell Mrs. Ericson that Norman
threw me again last Saturday and turned my foot? She's been
talking to Olaf."

Johanna fell into great confusion. "Oh, but, my precious,
the old lady asked for you, and she's always so angry if I can't
give an excuse. Anyhow, she needn't talk; she's always tearing
up something with that motor of hers."

When her aunt clattered down to the kitchen, Clara went to