m and Don not even
mentioned in the will. I suppose I didn't think of it because here
things seem to happen so--so fast. I'm always in a whirl."

"Yes," said Kenny sincerely. "Things do happen fast."

She waited his approval and was the first to speak, a wondering hint of
reproach in her voice.

"Kenny, please say something!"

"To be truthful, dear," said Kenny in a queer voice, "you've taken my
breath away. I'm thinking--just thinking."

"It's fair--"

"Yes, dear, it's fair enough."

"You don't disapprove? Oh, I hope you won't. It will make me so happy
to help Don through college."

"It will make you happy!" said Kenny and sighed.

"Ann had so many, many things to say against it. She said she was
trying to see it all with your eyes--as a guardian. But I told her
you're hardly ever--a guardian. And your Bohemia is democratic, isn't
it? And painters are respectable and worthy men and nothing like so
flighty as you read. You've said so yourself. And I like to work.
And there are so many charming girls who are models and Jan's cousin is
a Vassar girl--" In her eagerness to convince him she lost her
breath.

"I'll come for you at Madame Morny's at four," Kenny told her, sick at
heart. "And then, dear, I'll tell you exactly what I think."

And when he had rung off, he sat down weakly and laughed, his laugh
unmusical and sad. The dreadful, dreadful irony of it! How could he
deny her? How _could_ he? He who had surrounded her with women
friends, talented and independent, who believed in the gospel of work!
He liked her generosity. He liked her willingness to work. He blessed
the dear, selfless instincts of her heart, his eyes moist and tender.
And yet . . . and yet! Kenny laughed again. He had hidden his own
money in the fireplace to send through college a runaway youth he had
never seen!

On the way home from Madame Morny's in a taxi, for the snow had become
a blizzard, he made one final desperate effort to break her resolution.
It was futile. Again she was passionately eager to please him. Again
he found it a problem that involved her happiness and peace of mind.
Again, with his heart sore, be kissed her and surrendered to her wishes
with a sigh.

But he found the work for her himself with the older painters.

"Kenny, I'm so glad you asked me to bring mother's trunks with me,"
Joan told him. "Aranyi has asked me to pose in the gold brocade."

Something sharp stabbed at Kenny's hea