r all they
was worth! He was just jollyin' 'em to beat the band! And it was
all for her sake, too! Under the magic of his words, already they
were ceasing to regard her as an outcast. And Margery, like many
another who has sought to overturn the pillars of society, was
strangely happy at the thought of being able once again to mingle
with her own kind.

"But, papa," she heard Alice ask, "what'll you say to Freddy
Larkin's father on the car?"

"What will I say to Freddy Larkin's father on the car, Alice?"

"Yes, papa, when he--Gladys--she says he'll make fun of you on
account of Margery."

And then her father rose to the occasion magnificently.

"What will I say," he repeated in a loud, full voice, "to Freddy
Larkin's father when he makes fun of me for having a little girl
who went in swimming with the boys?"

He paused impressively, and suddenly Margery understood. He was
the only one of them all who knew that of course she was
listening! And he had known it all along and had been sending
messages, no, not of excuse for her naughtiness--they would have
that out together, later--but of love and encouragement for
herself. Oh, how she would try never to grieve him again!

"I'll tell you what I'll say," his adorable voice continued.
"I'll say, 'Well, I just bet you a great big round dollar that
Freddy will never see Margery do such a thing again!' Why, do you
know, Gladys, I'd be willing to risk five dollars!"

* * * * *

Then he came into the house and her mother kept him a moment in
the library. She could not hear what her mother said, but her
father's answer, "Of course I shall be severe, if necessary," put
a sudden chill on her heart.

Then she heard his foot on the stairs; and she buried her face in
the pillow, pretending to be asleep.

Her father stood over her a moment, looking down at her quietly.
She could feel him looking. Then he said, "Margery," softly,
gently. It seemed to her that she had never heard her name
pronounced so sweetly, so lovingly. Whatever little ice of
rebellion had formed anew around her heart melted that instant,
and, like a whirlwind, she threw her arms about her father's neck
and crushed her chill little nose and her burning face against
his cheek. There she sobbed out her love and repentance.

"And papa--papa," she gasped as soon as she could speak, "you can
bet him ten dollars if you want to, and you won't lose! I promise
you, papa, you won'