t Barney, are you, dear?"

"Yes, I am. I hate to put it into words, but perhaps it is better that
we should consult together. The boy is changed; sometimes there is a
look upon his face which I can't bear to see--a worried, miserable,
_shamed_ look, as if there were something he was trying to hide. He
keeps asking for money, too, and at last I summoned up courage and
refused to give any more. I thought he would have been angry, but he
only stared at me fixedly and said, `You'd better, Philippa! You will
be sorry if you refuse.' Perhaps it was cowardly of me, but I was
frightened and gave him what he asked; but I spoke very plainly to him,
all the same. I said, `Remember, Barney, that every unnecessary
shilling you spend means extra anxiety and worry to me, and extra
self-denial to the girls. We expect you to help, not to hinder. If you
really love us you cannot have the heart to be extravagant just now.'
He looked miserable, but he did not offer to return the money. I have
given him no more since then, but he must get it _somewhere_, for he
spends far more than Steve. He had half-a-dozen new ties in his drawer,
and is always going to the theatre, and buying little things for his
room. I don't like to speak to Steve, for the truth is, he doesn't
understand Barney, and does more harm than good by his interference.
But, Hope, you and I must work together. We must save our boy before it
is too late. We must not allow him to get into bad ways."

"Poor Barney!" sighed Hope sadly. "It must be a hard life for him down
in that dreary office. We have wondered that he stuck to his work so
well. We won't scold him, Phil. Boys won't stand being scolded by
their sisters. We will just make home as bright as we can, and make a
point of consulting him and asking his help, so that he may feel like a
man, poor darling--a man who has women depending on him, and must keep
straight for their sake. We'll appeal to the best in him by showing our
trust."

Philippa looked at her with shining eyes.

"Oh Hope, and you wanted to leave us! Bless you, dear, you _are_ a
help! I was feeling so cross and bitter, inclined to snap off the poor
boy's head, though my heart was breaking for him all the time; but yours
is the right way. You are right and I am wrong. We will begin to-night
and see what we can do."

When Barney returned from town an hour or two later Hope looked at him
with opened eyes, and felt a pang of remorse fo