Beatrice had been applying her handkerchief to her eyes in a ladylike manner. "Can't you do something to those horrid men?" she inquired pathetically. "Sue them, or have them arrested, or something?"
"Perhaps the law may reach them," said Mr. Lee, "but I have my doubts about the results. I fear there is little to recover. I think our wisest policy is to forget what is gone, and to conform to the situation as quickly as possible. Miss Billy, we haven't heard from you."
"Hurry up, Miss Billy. You may never be invited to talk again in the whole course of your existence," said her irrepressible brother.
Miss Billy roused from a brown study. "We are living in a large house—sixty dollars a month," she suggested.
"We couldn't live in a smaller one," put in Beatrice tearfully.
"Oh, yes we could," returned Miss Billy, with a glance at Theodore.
"Of course we could," echoed Theodore firmly.
"There can be a reduction made in the matter of servants," said Mrs. Lee. "We are paying Maggie fifteen dollars and Charlotte twelve. I have talked with Maggie already. She will stay with us for twelve, and we can let Charlotte go."
Beatrice looked more woe-begone than before, but Miss Billy's face showed no disappointment. "I think that is the very best thing to do under the circumstances," she said decidedly. "The servant girl problem is solved."
"On the contrary, it has just begun," said Beatrice with a rueful glance at her pretty hands.