mony's
requirements. Dr. Jennings seemed to fit them all, a woman, not young,
not too stout, agreeable and human. She was a large, almost bovinely
placid person, not at all reminiscent of Anna. She was neat where Anna
had been disorderly, well dressed and breezy against Anna's dowdiness
and sharpness. Peter, having totaled the score, rose and looked down at
McLean.

"You're a nice lad," he said, smiling. "Sometime I shall teach you the
game."

"How about a lesson to-night in Seven-Star Street?"

"To-night? Why, I'm sorry. We have an engagement for to-night."

The "we" was deliberate and cruel. McLean writhed. Also the statement
was false, but the boy was spared that knowledge for the moment.

Things went well. Dr. Jennings was badly off for quarters. She would
make a change if she could better herself. Peter drew her off to a
corner and stated his case. She listened attentively, albeit not without
disapproval.

She frankly discredited the altruism of Peter's motives when he told
her about Harmony. But as the recital went on she found herself rather
touched. The story of Jimmy appealed to her. She scolded and lauded
Peter in one breath, and what was more to the point, she promised to
visit the house in the Siebensternstrasse the next day.

"So Anna Gates has gone home!" she reflected. "When?"

"This morning."

"Then the girl is there alone?"

"Yes. She is very young and inexperienced, and the boy--it's
myocarditis. She's afraid to be left with him."

"Is she quite alone?"

"Absolutely, and without funds, except enough for her lessons. Our
arrangement was that she should keep the house going; that was her
share."

Dr. Jennings was impressed. It was impossible to talk to Peter and not
believe him. Women trusted Peter always.

"You've been very foolish, Dr. Byrne," she said as she rose; "but you've
been disinterested enough to offset that and to put some of us to shame.
To-morrow at three, if it suits you. You said the Siebensternstrasse?"

Peter went home exultant.

CHAPTER XVII

Christmas-Day had had a softening effect on Mrs. Boyer. It had opened
badly. It was the first Christmas she had spent away from her children,
and there had been little of the holiday spirit in her attitude as she
prepared the Christmas breakfast. After that, however, things happened.

In the first place, under her plate she had found a frivolous chain and
pendant which she had admired. And when her eyes filled up, as th