“Why don’t you hire your washin’ or buy her a washin’-machine?  Then she’d have time to do her own sewin’.”

“Work don’t hurt a body,” Mr. Getz maintained.  “It’s healthy.  What’s Tillie doin’ this morning?”

“She was bakin’ these pies, but I want her now to redd up.  Take all them pans to the dresser, Tillie.”

Tillie went to the table to do as she was bid.

“Well, I must be goin’ home now,” said Mr. Getz.  “I’ll take Tillie’s wages, Em.”

Mrs. Wackernagel set her lips as she wiped her hands on the roller-towel and opened the dresser drawer to get her purse.

“How’s her?” she inquired, referring to Mrs. Getz to gain time, as she counted out the money.

“She’s old-fashioned.”

“Is the childern all well?”

“Yes, they’re all middlin’ well.  Hurry up, Em; I’m in a hurry, and you’re takin’ wonderful long to count out them two dollars.”

“It’s only one and a half this week, Jake.  Tillie she had to have some new caps, and they come to fifty cents.  And I took notice her underclo’es was too thin fur this cold spell, and I wanted her to buy herself a warm petticoat, but she wouldn’t take the money.”

An angry red dyed the swarthy neck and forehead of the man, as his keen eyes, very like his sister’s, only lacking their expression of kindness, flashed from her face to the countenance of his daughter at the dresser.

“What business have you lettin’ her buy anything?” he sternly demanded.  “You was to give me her wages, and I was to buy her what she couldn’t do without.  You’re not keepin’ your bargain!”

“She needed them caps right away.  I couldn’t wait till Saturday to ast you oncet.  And,” she boldly added, “you ought to leave her have another fifty cents to buy herself a warm petticoat!”

“Tillie!” commanded her father,” you come here!”

The girl was very white as she obeyed him.  But her eyes, as they met his, were not afraid.

“It’s easy seen why you’re pale!  I guess it ain’t no pain in your side took from settin’ up sewin’ fur mom that’s made you pale!  Now see here,” he sternly said, “what did you do somepin like this fur?  Spendin’ fifty cents without astin’ me!”

“I needed the caps,” she quietly answered.  “And I knew you would not let me buy them if I asked you, father.”

“You’re standin’ up here in front of me and sayin’ to my face you done somepin you knowed I wouldn’t give you darst to do!  And you have no business, anyhow, wearin’ them New Mennonite caps!  I never wanted you to take up with that blamed foolishness!  Well, I’ll learn you!  If I had you home I’d whip you!”

“You ain’t touchin’ her ’round here!” exclaimed his sister.  “You just try it, Jake, and I’ll call Abe out!”

“Is she my own child or ain’t she, Em Wackernagel?  And can I do with my own what I please, or must I ast you and Abe Wackernagel?”