itted to support
herself by her own efforts yet. She has had no training; and evidently
she hasn't been properly fed, and she isn't strong. What I think is
that she's the kind of orphan for whom homes for orphans were created,"
he said with the air of one who has weighed the matter very carefully.

"Yes, sir," said Pollyooly in somewhat unhappy assent.

"At a home they would feed her up, give her open air exercise, and get
her strong. Then they would train her to become the accomplished wife
of one of our empire-builders in--er--er--in Canada, or British
Columbia, or Rhodesia. And when she reached the marriageable age, they
would export her and marry her to him. I think that that would suit
her much better than being an independent, ill-paid worker in London."

Pollyooly considered his words carefully, frowning deeply. Then she
said:

"Yes, sir: there's only herself. There isn't any one she wants living
with her like I do the Lump. Perhaps a home would be better for her."

"I think it would," he said gravely. "You think it over."

Pollyooly told Millicent at once of his suggestion; and they discussed
it seriously, and at great length. Indeed they talked of nothing else
for the rest of the day. The more they talked of it the more they
approved it. As Pollyooly said many times it was being settled in life
for good--not like a job which you might lose; and always down the
vista of the future, beyond the home, loomed the impressive and
alluring figure of the marriageable empire-builder. They both came to
the conclusion that the suggestion of the Honourable John Ruffin was
indeed excellent.

Accordingly when she brought in his bacon next morning Pollyooly said:

"Please, sir: I think you're right about Millicent's going to a home;
and so does she."

"Good," said the Honourable John Ruffin. "There can be no reasonable
doubt that the mantle of Solomon, to say nothing of Benjamin
Franklin's, has descended on your shoulders."

Pollyooly looked at him with the air of polite interest with which she
was wont to receive his obscure sayings; then she said:

"Yes, sir. But how could she get into a home?"

"Oh, there are nominations and elections and that kind of thing," said
the Honourable John Ruffin vaguely. "I'll find out all about it for
you."

"Thank you, sir. I'll tell Millie."

Two days later he said to Pollyooly:

"I've been making enquiries about that home for orphans; and I've found
a very