me a little oddly and smiling.

"I see you don't quite like what I say about Francis," he remarked,
puffing complacently.

I looked him straight in the eye. "Frankly, I don't, if you must know,"
I blurted. Then I screwed my monocle tight and straightened forward. "By
Jove, I think you ought to be ashamed of yourself, you know!"

"Wh--what's that?--_Lightnut!_" He turned a beet color and grasped the
arms of his chair.

"Oh, I do." I stood up and he followed. "I think if that poor child had
had a little--er--forbearance and kindness--that sort of thing--oh, dash
it, I just think you've been infernally harsh always--yes, I do!"

"Well, I'll be--" He swallowed it, neck forward, and stood panting a
bit. "_Harsh_, eh?" he jerked at me. "Um!" He stood there, his feet
braced apart, his white brows beetling at the floor. "Harsh!" He cocked
his head on one side, thrusting out his heavy under-lip. Then came a
sniff and a grunt, and oh, he looked black!

I was feeling devilish pale--you can, you know--and a little trembly
from excitement. Wasn't quite sure what I had said, but knew jolly well
I must have meant it, whatever it was. Knew, of course, that in another
minute it would be his come-back and he would simply slay me. He would
look at me coldly through his glasses, bow with dignity, and leave the
room.

And then--

I wondered if Jenkins had a time-table!

And just then came a quick breath, and I caught a murmur: "I wonder now
if, after all, that is true! By George, they say children and--" The
mutter trailed off. "Here, here, my boy--sit down," he exclaimed
suddenly; and he made me.

"I want to thank you, Lightnut," he said impressively. "It may be that
you are right. Perhaps the better course would be gently to reason with
Francis."

"Oh, Judge, I am sure of it," I urged feelingly.

"Well, well, my boy--we'll see." He patted me on the knee. "I'm going to
try your way--by George, I'll do it to-night!" His eyes seemed to hold
me with a more kindly and personal interest. "Do you know I can't tell
you how glad I am that you find so much in Francis to like; indeed, I am
_delighted_." Still studying me attentively, he musingly reached for a
fresh light. "In point of fact, Lightnut, I am free to say I hope the
intimacy begun between you two will grow closer. It would be a
thundering good thing for Francis and a great comfort to me."

And, by Jove, he smiled at me--a devilish pleasant smile!

I sat up straight, unc