She ought to have some good French brandy if they want to save her.

I'd better go myself and see to it," Mrs.Markham said, after they had reached the house, and John, at her request, had read the letter aloud.
John did not quite fancy his mother's going, particularly as Richard had said nothing about it, but Mrs.Markham was determined.
"It was a good way to make it up with Ethelyn, to be there when she come to," she thought, and so, leaving her house-cleaning to itself, and John to his bread and milk, of which he never tired, she packed a little traveling bag, and taking with her a bottle of brandy, started on the next train for Davenport, where she had never been.
Aunt Barbara was not cleaning house.

She was cutting dried caraway seed in the garden, and thinking of Ethie, wondering why she did not write, and hoping that when she did she would say that she had talked with Richard, and made the matter up.

Ever since hearing that he was at Clifton, in the next room to Ethie, Aunt Barbara had counted upon a speedy reconciliation, and done many things with a direct reference to that reconciliation.

The best chamber was kept constantly aired, with bouquets of flowers in it, in case the happy pair, "as good as just married," should come suddenly upon her.