Mrs. Mayo—Why didn’t you call me to help with the dishes?
Ruth—[Shortly.] No. The heat in there’d kill you.
Mary—[Sees the doll under the table and struggles on her mother’s lap.] Mary wants Dolly, Mama! Give Mary Dolly!
Ruth—[Pulling her back.] It’s time for your nap. You can’t play with Dolly now.
Mary—[Commencing to cry whiningly.] Mary wants Dolly!
Mrs. Atkins—[Irritably.] Can’t you keep that child still? Her racket’s enough to split a body’s ears. Put her down and let her play with the doll if it’ll quiet her.
Ruth—[Lifting Mary to the floor.] There! I hope you’ll be satisfied and keep still. You’re only to play for a minute, remember. Then you’ve got to take your nap. [Mary sits down on the floor before the table and plays with the doll in silence. Ruth glances at the place set on the table.] It’s a wonder Rob wouldn’t try to get to meals on time once in a while. Does he think I’ve nothing to do on a hot day like this but stand in that kitchen washing dishes?
Mrs. Mayo—[Dully.] Something must have gone wrong again.
Ruth—[Wearily.] I s’pose so. Something’s always going wrong these days, it looks like.
Mrs. Atkins—[Snappily.] It wouldn’t if you possessed a bit of spunk. The idea of you permittin’
