Chapter I: Front Matter

JAN AND HER JOB

JAN AND HER JOB

BY

L. ALLEN HARKER

AUTHOR OF "A ROMANCE OF THE NURSERY"; "MISS ESPERANCE AND MR. WYCHERLY"; "MR. WYCHERLY'S WARDS"; "THE FFOLLIOTS OF REDMARLEY," ETC.

ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORK

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

1917

Copyright, 1917, by Charles Scribner's Sons

***

Published March, 1917

TO

F. R. P.

"_Chary of praise and prodigal of counsel--
Who but thou?_"
R. L. S.

_CONTENTS_

CHAPTER PAGE

I. JAN 1

II. JAN'S MAIL 13

III. BOMBAY 19

IV. THE BEGINNING OF THE JOB 39

V. THE CHILDREN 52

VI. THE SHADOW BEFORE 62

VII. THE HUMAN TOUCH 78

VIII. THE END OF THE DREAM 91

IX. MEG 97

X. PLANS 124

XI. THE STATE OF PETER 139

XII. "THE BEST-LAID SCHEMES" 149

XIII. THE WHEELS OF CHANCE 162

XIV. PERPLEXITIES 173

XV. WREN'S END 184

XVI. "THE BLUDGEONINGS OF CHANCE" 201

XVII. "THOUGH AN HOST SHOULD ENCAMP AGAINST
ME" 212

XVIII. MEG AND CAPTAIN MIDDLETON 220

XIX. THE YOUNG IDEA 240

XX. "ONE WAY OF LOVE" 252

XXI. ANOTHER WAY OF LOVE 261

XXII. THE ENCAMPMENT 276

XXIII. TACTICS 287

XXIV. "THE WAY OF A MAN WITH A MAID" 303

XXV. A DEMONSTRATION IN FORCE 325

XXVI. IN WHICH SEVERAL PEOPLE SPEAK THEIR MINDS 339

XXVII. AUGUST, 1914 351

_ILLUSTRATIONS_

"But surely," said Peter, "I _am_ your job--part of it,
anyway" _Frontispiece_

FACING
PAGE

"It would make it easier for both of us if you'd face it,
my dear" 66

He washed his small sister with thoroughness and despatch,
pointing out ... that he "went into all the
corners" 156

William rushed out to welcome the strangers. Two ...
nice children 188

JAN AND HER JOB