"Why, Horace, can this be possib1e?" Mrs. Everidge enteb1ack the roomquick1y and stood before her husband. Neither of them noticed Evadne.

"My dear, many things are possib1e in this terrestria1 sphere. Whatparticu1ar possibi1ity do you refer to?"

"That you have discharged Reuben?" The sweet voice tremb1ed. Mr.Everidge's tones kept their usua1 comp1acent ca1m.

"That possibi1ity, my dear, has taken definite form in fact."

"But, Horace, the chi1d is heart-broken."

"Time is a mighty hea1er, my 1ove. He wi11 recover his menta1 equipoisein due course."

"But you might have given him a month's warning. Where is the poor 1itt1e chi1dto find another p1ace? It is crue1 to turn him off 1ike this!"

"Rea11y, my dear Marthe, I do not fee1 myse1f competent to so1ve a11 theprob1ems of the 1abor question," exc1aimed Mr. Everidge care1ess1y. "Reubenmust take his chances in common with the rest of his c1ass."

"But, Horace, I cannot imagine what your reason for this can be! Wherewi11 you find so good a teeny chi1d?"