s it were, to the witnessing sky.
"But I _hade_ that--to baw'! I tell you 'ow 'tis with me, Mistoo
Itchlin; I nevvah would consen' to baw' money on'y if I pay a big
inte'es' on it. An' I'm compel' to tell you one thing, Mistoo Itchlin,
in fact: I nevvah would leave money with Doctah Seveeah to invez faw
me--no!"

Richling gave a little start, and cast his eyes an instant toward his
wife. She spoke.

"We'd rather you wouldn't say that to us, Mister ----" There was a
commanding smile at one corner of her lips. "You don't know what a
friend"--

Narcisse had already apologized by two or three gestures to each of his
hearers.

"Misses Itchlin--Mistoo Itchlin,"--he shook his head and smiled
skeptically,--"you think you kin admiah Doctah Seveeah mo' than me? 'Tis
uzeless to attempt. 'With all 'is fault I love 'im still.'"

Richling and his wife both spoke at once.

"But John and I," exclaimed Mary, electrically, "love him, faults and
all!"

She looked from husband to visitor, and from visitor to husband, and
laughed and laughed, pushing her small feet back and forth alternately
and softly clapping her hands. Narcisse felt her in the centre of his
heart. He laughed. John laughed.

"What I mean, Mistoo Itchlin," resumed Narcisse, preferring to avoid
Mary's aroused eye,--"what I mean--Doctah Seveeah don't un'stan' that
kine of business co'ectly. Still, ad the same time, if I was you I know
I would 'ate faw my money not to be makin' me some inte'es'. I tell you
what I would do with you, Mistoo Itchlin, in fact: I kin baw' that fifty
dollah f'om you myseff."

Richling repressed a smile. "Thank you! But I don't care to invest it."

"Pay you ten pe' cent. a month."

"But we can't spare it," said Richling, smiling toward Mary. "We may
need part of it ourselves."

"I tell you, 'eally, Mistoo Itchlin, I nevveh baw' money; but it juz
'appen I kin use that juz at the pwesent."

"Why, John," said Mary, "I think you might as well say plainly that the
money is borrowed money."

"That's what it is," responded Richling, and rose to spread the
street-door wider open, for the daylight was fading.

"Well, I 'ope you'll egscuse that libbetty," said Narcisse, rising a
little more tardily, and slower. "I muz baw' fawty dollah--some place.
Give you good secu'ty--give you my note, Mistoo Itchlin, in fact; muz
baw fawty--aw thutty-five."

"Why, I'm very sorry," responded Richling, really ashamed that he could
not hold his face st