ately.

Her hand free again, she found a slip of paper in it. "Five thousand!
Oh, no! I can't take it!"

"Yes, you will! Take it now instead of letting me will it to you. For
I'm going to die of joy! You see, my dear girl, you're not going to be
earning while you travel. And you can use it. And you've given me
value received. You've done me a whale of a turn! Please let me do
this much."

"I'll take it if you'll let me use some of it for--for----"

"You mean that youngster?"

"Would you mind if I helped the mother?"

"Say, there's no string tied to that check. Use it as you like. But I
want to ask you, Sue,--just curiosity--why were you so all-fired nice
to that Crosby girl?"

"I'll tell you. But you'll never peep?"

"Cross my heart to die!"

"She's been so brave, and I'm a coward."

"That you're not, by Jingo!"

"Let me explain. She couldn't stand conditions that weren't suited to
her. At nineteen, she rebelled. I'm not going to say that she didn't
also do wrong. But she was so young. While I--I have gone on and on,
knowing in my secret heart----" She choked, and could not finish.

"I understand, Sue. It's a blamed shame! And you can't stop now----"

"I shall go with mother."

"Well, if you find that young woman you give her as much of that five
thousand as you want to. And if you need more----"

"Oh, you dear, old, fat thing!"

He put his arm about her. She leaned her forehead against his shoulder.

"There! There! You're a good girl."

"You're a man in a million! How can any woman find you hard to live
with!"

"Momsey!" Ikey was standing beside them. His hair was disheveled, his
face white.

"Ikey boy!" The sight of him made her anxious.

"You--you go avay?"

"We-e-ell,----"

"A-a-a-ah!" She was trying to break it gently. But he understood.
Two small begrimed hands went up to hide his face.

She drew him to her. "But I'll come back, dear! I'll come back! Oh,
don't! Don't!"

He clung to her wildly then. "Oh, how can I lif midoudt you! Oh,
Momsey! Momsey! I nefer sing again!"

She led him to a bench. "Now listen!" she begged gently. "Listen!
It's only for a little while."

He lifted his face. "Yes?"

"Yes, dear."

That comforted. "Und also," he observed philosophically, "de olt lady,
she goes mit."

"Ikey!" Sue sat back, displeased.

"Oh, scuses! Scuses!"

"She's my mother."

"You--you _sure_?"

"Why, Ikey!" she cried, astonishe