Among my earliest recollections the frequent quarrels between my parents are most prominent. I was too young then to know which was most to blame, but as I got older I noticed that Papa always got angry when a Mr. Amberg was mentioned. I soon after noticed that when he came to the house, it was always when Papa was absent and Mama told me I must not tell Papa of his visits. Young though I was, I knew that something was wrong with this and I soon got to watching to find out what it was. I saw Mr. Amberg hug and kiss Mama, but I didn't think there was any wrong in that. I knew Papa didn't like Mr. Amberg, but I thought he was being unreasonable for I knew Mama liked him, and I liked him. Things went on in this way for a year or two. Mr. Amberg would come occasionally and I used to wonder why it happened that he always came when Mama and I were there alone. Mama would send me out to play, but I had got to be quite sly and watched them both when I had a chance. I saw them go into the bedroom together several times, but had no idea, then, what they went in there for.

One day Papa and Mama had a terrible quarrel; I don't know what it was about, but after Papa left the house, Mama began to pack some things in a trunk, and then she and I started for the Railroad Depot, which was not far from the house. I asked no questions but went with Mama into the car, and we traveled a long way, it seemed to me. When we left the car we went to a hotel where we remained a couple of days. I was really pleased to see Mr. Amberg come to our room, and so was Mama; she put her arms around his neck and kissed him, then she sat on his lap while they had a long talk. It was nearly night when he came. After it got dark, Mama asked me if I wasn't sleepy and said she thought I ought to go to bed. I wasn't sleepy but I made no objection and soon undressed and got into bed. After awhile Mama came into the bedroom. I kept quiet so she thought I was asleep, and pretty soon she began to undress and then she got into bed. I kept still as if I were asleep.