Balcome.

"Japan!"

"The Phil----"

"Look out now! Look out!"

"What's the matter?"

"Matter? You're coming up the other side!"

But Mrs. Milo was blissfully unaware of this bit of byplay. "Do you
think Mrs. Balcome and I could make such an extended trip on five
thousand?" she asked.

"Well, I'll raise the ante!--_ten_ thousand." Balcome took out a
fountain-pen.

"Oh, think of it!" raved Mrs. Milo, ecstatically. "The dream of my
life!--Europe! Africa! Asia!--Dear Mrs. Balcome, what do you say?"

"We-e-e-ell," answered Mrs. Balcome, slowly, "can I take Babette?"

In his eagerness, Balcome addressed her direct. "Yes! Yes! I'll buy
Babette a dog satchel!"

"I'll go," declared Mrs. Balcome.

Mrs. Milo was all gratitude. "Oh, my dear, thank you! And we'll get
ready today!--Why not? I certainly shan't stay here"--this with a
glance at the toy-strewn bench. "Susan,--you must pack."

Sue stared. "Oh,--do--do I go?"

"Would you send me, at my age----"

"No! No!"--hastily.

"And you don't mean to tell me that you'd like to stay behind!" There
was a touch of the old jealousy.

"I didn't know you wanted me to go, mother."

"Most assuredly you go." She had evidently forgotten completely her
threat of the afternoon before. Sue had disobeyed. Yet her
disobedience was not to result in a parting. "And that reminds
_me_"--turning to Balcome, who was scratching away with his pen. "If
_Sue_ goes----"

Balcome understood. He began to write a new check. "I'll make this
twelve thousand."

Mrs. Balcome saw an opportunity. "Hattie, do you want to go?" she
asked. She looked about the Close. "Hattie!"

But Hattie was gone.

Mrs. Milo bustled to Balcome to take the check. "I'll get the
reservations at once," she declared. And as the slip of paper was put
into her hand, "Oh, Brother Balcome!"

"_Sister_ Milo!" Balcome, beaming, crushed her fingers gratefully in
his big fist.

She bustled out, taking Mrs. Balcome with her.

Balcome kept Sue back. "Of course, I know that you won't get one
nickel of that money," he declared. "So I'm going to give you a little
bunch for yourself."

"But, dear sir,----"

"Not a word now! Don't I know what you've done for me? Why,"--shaking
with laughter--"Mrs. B. will have to stay in England six months."

"Six?"

"Sh!"--he leaned to whisper--"Babette! Six months is the British
quarantine for dogs!" He caught her hand, and they laughed
immoder