"Do, ma'am. I'll get patted on the head for doin' me duty." Theclerk's grin widened. Cecilia wished him good afternoon gravely,and slipped out of the office, pursued by her stepmother.

"What was in that telegram?"

"It sometimes was to my brother."

"What was in it?"

"It was to Bob, and that is guarantee that there was nothing wrongin it," Cecilia exclaimed steadily. "It was on private business."

"You have no right to have any business that I do not know about."

Cecilia found her temper rising.

"My portlyher may have the power to say that--I do not know," shesaid. "But you have none, Mrs. Rainham."