p, he enlightened
his wife further concerning the Hammonds.

"He was with me at the shop," said the Mayor, "and I never was sorrier
to let any man go. But it seemed like his wife's death drove him quite
wild. First it was fighting with the other boys, and then drink, and
then complaints here and there and everywhere, and Kelly wouldn't stand
for it. I wish I'd kept him on a bit longer, myself, what with his
having the two children and all. He's got a fine head on him, and a
very good way with people in trouble. Kelly himself was always sending
him to arrange about flowers and carriages and all. Poor lad! And then
came the night he was tipsy, and got locked in the warehouse--"

"I know," said Mrs. Costello, with a pitying shake of the head, as she
gently adjusted the sleeping Gertrude. "Has he had a job since, Frank?"

"He was with a piano house," said her husband, uneasily, as he went
slowly on with his preparations for the night. "Two children, has he?
And a boy on the altar. 'Tis hard that the children have to pay for it."

"Alanna'll find out who the wife was. She never fails me," said Mrs.
Costello, turning from Gertrude's crib with sudden decision in her
voice. "And I'll do something, never fear!"

Alanna did not fail. She came home the next day brimming with the
importance of her fulfilled mission.

"Her mother's name was Harmonica Moore!" announced Alanna, who could be
depended upon for unfailing inaccuracy in the matter of names. Teresa
and the boys burst into joyous laughter, but the information was close
enough for Mrs. Costello.

"Monica Moore!" she exclaimed. "Well, for pity's sake! Of course I knew
her, and a sweet, dear girl she was, too. Stop laughing at Alanna, all
of you, or I'll send you upstairs until Dad gets after you. Very quiet
and shy she was, but the lovely singing voice! There wasn't a tune in
the world she wouldn't lilt to you if you asked her. Well, the poor
child, I wish I'd never lost sight of her." She pondered a moment. "Is
the boy still serving Mass at St. Mary's, Dan?" she said then.

"Sure," said Jim. For Dan was absorbed in the task of restoring
Alanna's ruffled feelings by inserting a lighted match into his mouth.

"Well, that's good," pursued their mother. "You bring him home to
breakfast after Mass any day this week, Jim. And, Tess, you must bring
the little girl in after school. Tell her I knew her dear mother." Mrs.
Costello's eyes, as she returned placidly to the task o