ld you that you had reached the
limit, Allen--now you have passed it. Oh! why did I let you go on! I
like you so much, and I want to see you succeed. I've tried to help you
all I could, and this is the result. Now we can't even be friends any
more, and this insane jealousy of yours will spoil your chances in the
Companies. Oh, Allen, Allen--why can't you grow up and be sensible!"

"Don't worry about me," the boy said, dejectedly. "You're probably
right, just as the pater was probably right. I'm no good anyhow. I
didn't want to go into diplomacy because there seemed to be so much in
it which was double-dealing. Now I'm in business, and I see the same
things there. It's all my fault--it must be; but I'm in wrong somehow. I
wouldn't say a word, Alice, if it were some one else, but
Covington--well, you've told me to cut that out, so I will. But don't
say we can't be friends--I couldn't stand that. You'll need me some
time, little girl, and when you do, I want to be Johnny on the spot."

Alice never found it possible to be angry with him for any extended
period. Always after his impulsive outbreaks he became so contrite that
the early displeasure was abated by his unspoken but evident desire for
forgiveness.

"Will you take back what you said about Mr. Covington?" she asked.

"I can't do that," he replied, firmly; "but I'll do my best to let you
find him out from some one else."

And the girl let him leave it there, remaining in the same position
several minutes after he had gone, wondering that she had been willing
to permit so gross a slander to stand unchallenged. When at last she
turned slowly toward the door, she started violently as something began
to untangle itself from the portieres.

"It's only me," announced Patricia, ungrammatically, but none the less
undauntedly.

"What have you been doing there?" the elder sister demanded, her
momentary fright making her indignation even greater.

"Listenin'," replied the culprit, shamelessly.

"Patricia Gorham!" For Alice to use the child's full name conveyed the
absolute limit of reproach, but Patricia stood her ground fearlessly.

"I'm not ashamed--I've simply _got_ to know my future. You'll stick to
what you said, won't you, Alice?"

"You ought to be punished!"

"But you won't marry Allen, will you?" Pat pleaded, unblushingly. "You
can have Mr. Covington and I will have Allen, and we all will be happy
ever afterward."

"Oh, you--kids, that's what you both ar