ers. Her frailty appealed to something
within the girl that was like masculine chivalry, awakening a desire
that was keener than ever to protect and help her, while, as before,
Mrs. Toomey felt the magnetism of the younger woman's health and
strength and courage. Nevertheless, she was panic-stricken at what Kate
was taking for granted and her quick little mind was darting about like
some frightened rodent from corner to corner, thinking how she was going
to disentangle herself from the situation with the minimum of hurt to
the girl's feelings.

There was a suggestion of her former buoyancy in Kate's manner. Her eyes
had something of their old-time sparkle as she reached inside the
blousing front of her flannel shirt and laid in Mrs. Toomey's hand a
packet of crisp banknotes secured by bands of elastic.

"You see--I've kept my promise."

Mrs. Toomey stood motionless, staring.

"Why! Where did you get it?" when speech came back to her.

"That's my secret," Kate replied, gently. "But it's yours to use as long
as you need it."

Without warning, Mrs. Toomey burst into tears.

"I c-can't help it!" she sobbed on Kate's shoulder. "It's
so--unexpected."

Relief was paramount to all other emotions, but she vowed as she wept
that she would show her gratitude, and would be Kate's friend as she had
promised, and she would--the feeling of the money in her hand gave her
courage--defy Prissy Pantin, if necessary.

Kate and Mrs. Toomey separated with the warm handclasp of friendship.

Mrs. Toomey waited in a tremulous state of eagerness for her husband's
return. It was months since she had known such a feeling of relief; it
was as though years suddenly had dropped from her. She went about the
house humming, trying to decide upon the most effective way of
surprising him, and planning how she would spend the money to derive the
most good from it. At intervals she opened the top drawer of the bureau
and looked at the banknotes to be sure she was not dreaming. They would
pay a little on their most urgent bills, to show their good intentions,
and then buy supplies enough to render impossible any such experiences
as those they had undergone recently. A goodly portion would be kept for
emergencies until Jap got into something.

Mrs. Toomey glowed with gratitude to Kate and the delightful sensation
of relaxed nerves after a tension. She felt as peaceful as though she
had taken an opiate, therefore, when Toomey came in swaggering an