"Why, yes, didn't you know? She has gone to stay with Tim's wife." (Tim Meadows was the eldest, the married son of the family.) "She has a little baby, and they can't get any help, and father wouldn't let mother go down because it's bad for her to be over a cook stove, you know."
"Yes, I know the old lady feels the heat."
"We are quite busy at the house. I came of an errand to the quartermaster-sergeant's, and kitty followed me, and the children chased her. I must go home now," urged Meta. "Really, I did not think you would be so foolish, Henniker. I can't see what fun there is in this!"
"Yes, but Meta, I've made a discovery,—here in your hand."
"In my hand? What is it? Let me see." A violent determined pull, and a sound like a smothered explosion of laughter from Henniker.
"Softly, softly now. You'll hurt yourself, my dear."
"Is my hand dirty? It was the kitten, then; her paws were all over sand."
"Oh, no. Great sign! It's worse than that. It'll not come off."
"I will see what it is!"
"But you can't see unless I was to tell you. I'm a hand reader, did you know it? I can tell your fortune by the lines on your palm. I'm reading them off here just like a book."