friend's words, "That will have to be looked into," meant
almost as much as though he had said, "I'll see that nothing of the sort
happens."

His body was still shaken, at longer and longer intervals, by shuddering
sobs, but when the Mullarkey home was reached, they had subsided and he
was enjoying the unaccustomed buggy ride.

Mrs. Mullarkey was home, and she came running out to see why her
children were being brought back in a buggy.

"Who's hurt," she asked anxiously, "that you're bringing them home in a
buggy?"

"None of them is hurt, Mrs. Mullarkey," Mr. Phillips assured her
quickly, and helped the children out. "I'm Tom Phillips. I knew your
husband quite well. I found these children crying in the road because
Mr. Darner's young scalawag of a son had told them that Jerry Elbow was
to be taken to the poor farm."

"Oh, Jerry, you blessed child!" crooned Mother 'Larkey, taking Jerry in
her arms. "And you to find it out from some one else when I'd been
trying for this week past to get up courage enough to tell you."

"Mother!" cried Nora in a shocked voice.

"It's true, then?" asked Mr. Phillips.

"Yes," replied Mrs. Mullarkey, drawing Jerry tightly to her. "I don't
want to let you go, Jerry, but Dan's insurance money is all gone and how
I am to make enough to keep the bodies and souls of all you children
together I don't know. I love you as though you were my own, you're that
sweet and gentle."

Jerry began crying again, but softly this time, because he knew Mother
'Larkey wouldn't let him go if she could help it. She kissed him and
turned to Mr. Phillips.

"Mr. Darner told me I'd sooner or later have to let some of my own
children go there or be adopted out, if I didn't consent to Jerry's
going. I'm at the end of my string."

"I see," observed Mr. Phillips gently. "I didn't know just how Dan
Mullarkey left you fixed, but I can do something to help you. Darner can
be made to listen to reason and I can bring some influence to bear upon
him. I don't see why the county can't let you have as much as it would
cost it to keep Jerry at the farm. I belong to the same lodge as Dan did
and we'll help you some there. I'll find something for Danny to do. He
can be earning a little money in the summer time and help you out that
way."

"You're an angel if ever there was one in this world, Mr. Phillips,"
said Mrs. Mullarkey. "If the county will allow me for Jerry's keep, I'll
take better care of him than he'd get at