"Of course it will scratch—to go tramping over that polished wood! She's to step on the carpet, as I told her! You're always interfering, Polly Dudley!"
"Miss Sniffen, I didn't mean to interfere; but Miss Lily can't see as well as you can, and—"
"She can see well enough! Her eyesight is good. There is no need of her falling."
"But she can't get hold of the rail away off in the middle!"
"Certainly she can reach it! Don't stand there talking nonsense!"
Miss Lily turned and hastened up the long flight. Polly watched her for a moment and then walked slowly down the stairs.
The superintendent waited at the foot, her face flushed and stern.
"You have made trouble enough round here," she said bitingly. "Now
I think we'll stop it!"
"Why, Miss Sniffen, what have I done?"
"You're putting foolish notions into the heads of these old women—petting and pampering them in the way you do! To organize a walking-club for them, when they've got one foot in the grave—it's absurd!"