Page 36 - 1913 November - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 41

Young ladies," she said, " I would like to ask i f all of you have
been enjoying good health lately. Gretchen?"

"Ah, yes, Madame, you could not tell my strength from that of
a horse."

"Hannah?"
"As slick as a kitty, Madame,"
"Sophy?"
"Why, about the same, J guess. I don't sleep very well and my
throat bothers me some, it's the east wind I guess, tho'."
"Cimbria?"
"Very well, Madame, thank you."

"What is that mark on the back of your hand?" said Madame

sharply.

"Only a bruise, I think. I must have hit it against the table, tho'
I don't remember doing it. I t isn't sore but it doesn't seem to heal."

She held out a slender hand cruelly disfigured by an angry-looking
patch. I t was bright red in the center, shading to saffron on the
edges. The skin round it had a curious lifeless look.

Madame grew whiter, i f possible. Without further speech she
left the room.

"Now what do you know about that?" demanded Hannah. "What
a sudden interest she takes in our health. She'll be asking us to
dinner at the Touraine pretty quick, because we don't get nourish-
ment enough at home. She certainly did look broken up. I f it's any
thing catching she is afraid it will hurt the business," she added
shrewdly.

"What is she trying to find out?" wondered Sophy.
" I would like to know myself," from Cimbria. "Why should my
hand make her look so queer. I t can't be smallpox. I have had it
too long."
With the easy philosophy of their class they dismissed the subject
and kept on working.
When Madame again entered she had regained her self-possession.
"It's been such a warm day, girls, that I ' l l give you the rest of the
afternoon, but please be here promptly at eight tomorrow," as she
finished speaking she entered her office, locking the door behind her.
The girls looked at each other in amazement.
"Holy cats!" exclaimed Hannah. "Suppose someone has left
her a fortune? A holiday and it's only two days before the Fourth
when she has to give us one!"
"Madame has the kind heart after all," ventured Gretchen folding
up her apron calmly.