s cheeks, but she didn't
know it, or else she'd have wiped them away. She was never mussy about
the least little thing.

"Father!" she said. "Father----!"

That was as far as she could go.

"The man must have his money," said father, "but we'll look into
this----"

He pushed back the plates and tablecloth, and cleared his end of the
table. Mother never budged to stack the plates, or straighten the
cloth so it wouldn't be wrinkled. Then father brought his big account
book from the black walnut chest in our room, some little books, and
papers, sharpened a pencil and began going up and down the columns and
picking out figures here and there that he set on a piece of paper. I
never had seen him look either old or tired before; but he did then.
Mother noticed it too, for her lips tightened, she lifted her head,
wiped her eyes, and pretended that she felt better. Laddie said
something about doing the feeding, and slipped out. Just then Shelley
came into the room, stopped, and looked questioningly at us. Her eyes
opened wide, and she stared hard at Leon.

"Why what ails him?" she asked mother.

"You remember what I wrote you about a man who robbed us, and the money
Leon was to have, provided no owner was found in a reasonable time; and
the horse the boy had planned to buy, and how he had been going to
Pryors'--Oh, I think he's slipped over there once a day, and often
three times, all this spring! Mr. Pryor encouraged him, let him take
his older horses to practise on, even went out and taught him
cross-country riding himself----"

"I remember!" said Shelley.

Leon sobbed out loud. Shelley crossed the room swiftly, dropped beside
him and whispered something in his ear. Quick as a shot his arm
reached out and went around her. She hid her head deep in the pillow
beside him, and they went to pieces together. Clear to pieces! Pretty
soon father had to take off his glasses and wipe them so he could see
the figures. Mother took one long look at him, a short one at Leon and
Shelley, then she arose, her voice as even and smooth, and she said:
"While you figure, father, I'll see about supper. I have tried to plan
an extra good one this evening."

She left the room. NOW, I guess you know about all I can tell you of
mother! I can't see that there's a thing left. That was the kind of
soldier she was. Talk about Crusaders, and a good fight! All the
blood of battle in our family wasn't on father's side, not by