ed Janice. "So I won't give them money. But I
can buy things for them that they need. And the poor little baby is
sick. That cunning Sophie told me so."

"Goodness, Janice!" laughed Nelson, yet with some small vexation. "I
see there's no use in opposing your charitable instincts. But I really
wish you would not get acquainted with every rag-tag and bob-tail in
town. First those Trimminses--and now these Narnays!"

Janice laughed at this. "Why, they can't hurt me, Nelson. And perhaps
I might do them good."

"You cannot handle charcoal without getting some of the smut on your
fingers," Nelson declared, dogmatically.

"But they are not charcoal. They are just some of God's unfortunates,"
added the young girl, gently. "It is not Sophie's fault that her
father drinks. And maybe it isn't altogether _his_ fault."

"What arrant nonsense!" exclaimed Nelson, with some exasperation. "It
always irritates me when I hear these old topers excused. A man should
be able to take a glass of wine or beer or spirits--or let it alone."

"Yes, indeed, Nelson," agreed Janice, demurely. "He _ought_ to."

The young man glanced sharply into her rather serious countenance. He
suspected that she was not agreeing with him, after all, very strongly.
Finally he laughed, and the spark of mischief immediately danced in
Janice Day's hazel eyes.

"That is just where the trouble lies, Nelson, with drinking
intoxicating things. People should be able to drink or not, as they
feel inclined. But alcohol is insidious. Why! you teach that in your
own classes, Nelson Haley!"

"Got me there," admitted the young school principal, with a laugh.
Then he became sober again, and added: "But _I_ can take a drink or
leave it alone if I wish."

"Oh, Nelson! You _don't_ use alcoholic beverages, do you?" cried
Janice, quite shocked. "Oh! you _don't_, do you?"

"My, my! See what a little fire-cracker it is!" laughed Nelson. "Did
I say I was in the habit of going into Lem Parraday's bar and spending
my month's salary in fiery waters?"

"Oh, but Nelson! You don't _approve_ of the use of liquor, do you?"

"I'm not sure that I do," returned the young man, more gravely. "And
yet I believe in every person having perfect freedom in that as well as
other matters."

"Anarchism!" cried Janice, yet rather seriously, too, although her lips
smiled.

"I know the taste of all sorts of beverages," the young man said. "I
was in with rather a sport