% 
 
 "Just by the merest chance, could your name 
 be Mickey?"
 
 MICHAEL 
 O'HALLORAN 
 
 BY GENE STRATTON-PORTER 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 THE HARVESTER. FRECKLES, A GIRL 
 OF THE LIMBERLOST, LADDIE, ETC. 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS BY 
 
 FRANCES ROGERS 
 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP 
 
 PUBLISHERS NEW YORK
 
 Copyright, 1915, 1916, by 
 
 DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 
 
 All rights reserved, including that of 
 
 translation into foreign languages, 
 
 including the Scandinavian
 
 TO 
 
 IVK^NING-FACE 
 
 2234S01
 
 I. 
 
 II. 
 
 III. 
 
 IV. 
 
 V. 
 
 VI. 
 
 VII. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 IX. 
 
 X. 
 
 XI. 
 
 XII. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 XV. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 XX. 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Happy Home in Sunrise Alley . . . 
 Moccasins and Lady Slippers . . . 
 S. O. S ......... 
 
 "Bearer of Morning" ..... 
 
 Little Brother ...... 
 
 The Song of a Bird ..... 
 
 Peaches' Preference in Blessings . r 
 Big Brother ....... 
 
 James Jr. and Malcolm .... 
 
 The Wheel of Life ...... 
 
 The Advent of Nancy and Peter 
 Feminine Reasoning ..... 
 
 A Safe Proposition ..... 
 
 An Orphans' Home ..... 
 
 A Particular Nix ...... 
 
 The Fingers in the Pie ..... 
 
 Initiations in an Ancient and Honourable 
 Brotherhood ...... 
 
 Malcolm and the Hermit Thrush 
 Establishing Protectorates .... 
 
 Mickey's Miracle ......
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN, Who Was Square. 
 
 PEACHES, Michael's Family. 
 
 THE SUNSHINE NURSE, Who Helped Mickey. 
 
 DOUGLAS BRUCE, A Corporation Lawyer. 
 
 LESLIE WiNTON,Who Demanded Joy From Life. 
 
 MR. MINTURN,A Multiopolis Politician. 
 
 MRS. MINTURN, A Woman Devoted to Society. 
 
 JAMES JR. and MALCOLM, the Minturns' Sons. 
 
 MR. TOWER, a Tutor. 
 
 PETER HARDING, a Farmer. 
 
 MRS. HARDING, Peter's Wife. 
 
 JUNIOR, MARY, and BOBBIE, Harding Children. 
 
 MR. CHAFFNER, Editor of the Herald.
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 
 
 W KID, come on ! Be square !" 
 
 11 You look out what you say to me." 
 "But ain't you going to keep your word ?" 
 "Mickey, do you want your head busted?" 
 " Naw! But I did your work so you could loaf; now I 
 want the pay you promised me." 
 
 " Let's see you get it ! Better take it from me, hadn't you ? " 
 " You're twice my size; you know I can't, Jimmy!" 
 " Then you know it too, don't you ? " 
 
 "Now look here kid, it's 'cause you're getting so big that 
 folks will be buying quicker of a little fellow like me; so you've 
 laid in the sun all afternoon while I been running my legs 
 about off to sell your papers; and when the last one is gone, 
 I come and pay you what they sold for; now it's up to you to 
 do what you promised" 
 
 " Why didn't you keep it when you had it ? " 
 '"Cause that ain't business ! I did what I promised fair 
 and square; I was giving you a chance to be square too. 19 
 "Oh ! Well next time you won't be such a fool!" 
 Jimmy turned to step from the gutter to the sidewalk. 
 
 3
 
 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Two things happened to him simultaneously: Mickey be- 
 came a projectile. He smashed with the force of a wiry 
 fist on the larger boy's head, while above both, an athletic 
 arm gripped him by the collar. 
 
 Douglas Bruce was hurrying to ee a client before he 
 should leave his office; but in passing a florist's window his 
 ye was attracted by a sight so beautiful he paused an in- 
 stant, considering. It was spring; the Indians were com- 
 ing down to Multiopolis to teach people what the wood 
 Gods had put into their hearts about flower magic. 
 
 The watcher scarcely had realized the exquisite loveli- 
 ness of a milk-white birch basket filled with bog moss of 
 silvery green, in which were set maidenhair and three yel- 
 low lady slippers, until beside it was placed another woven 
 of osiers blood red, moss carpeted and bearing five pink 
 moccasin flowers, faintly lined with red lavender; between 
 them rosemary and white ladies' tresses. A flush crept 
 over the lean face of the Scotsman. He saw a vision. 
 Over those baskets bent a girl, beautiful as the flowers. 
 Plainly as he visualized the glory of the swamp, Douglas 
 Bruce pictured the woman he loved above the orchids. 
 While he lingered, his heart warmed, glowing, his wonder- 
 ful spring day made more wonderful by a vision not ade- 
 quately describable, on his ear fell Mickey's admonition: 
 "Be square!" 
 
 He sent one hasty glance toward the gutter. He saw a 
 sullen-faced newsboy of a size that precluded longer suc- 
 cess at paper selling, because public sympathy goes to the 
 little fellows. Before him stood one of these same little 
 fellows, lean, tow-haired, and blue-eyed, clean of face, neat
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 5 
 
 in dress; with a peculiar modulation in his voice that 
 caught Douglas squarely in the heart. He turned again 
 to the flowers, but as his eyes revelled in beauty, his ears, 
 despite the shuffle of passing feet, and the clamour of cars, 
 lost not one word of what was passing in the gutter, while 
 with each, slow anger surged higher. Mickey, well aware 
 that his first blow would be all the satisfaction coming to 
 him, put the force of his being into his punch. At the 
 same instant Douglas thrust forth a hand that had pulled 
 for Oxford and was yet in condition. 
 
 "Aw, you big stiff!" gasped Jimmy, twisting an as- 
 tonished neck to see what was happening above and in his 
 rear so surprisingly. Had that little Mickey O'Halloran 
 gone mad to hit him ? Mickey standing back, his face up- 
 turned, was quite as surprised as Jimmy. 
 
 "What did he promise you for selling his papers?" de- 
 manded a deep voice. 
 
 "Twen ty-five," answered Mickey, with all the force 
 of inflection in his power. "And if you heard us, Mister, 
 you heard him own up he was owing it." 
 
 "I did," answered Douglas Bruce tersely. Then to 
 Jimmy: "Hand him over twenty-five cents." 
 
 Jimmy glared upward, but what he saw and the tighten- 
 ing of the hand on his collar were convincing. He drew 
 from his pocket five nickels, dropping them into the out- 
 stretched hand of Douglas, who passed them to Mickey, 
 the soiled fingers of whose left hand closed over them, 
 while his right snatched off his cap. Fear was on his face, 
 excitement was in his eyes, triumph was in his voice, while 
 a grin of comradeship curved his lips.
 
 6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Many thanks, Boss," he said. "And would you add 
 to them by keeping that strangle hold 'til you give me just 
 two seconds the start of him?" He wheeled, darting 
 through the crowd. 
 
 "Mickey!" cried Douglas Bruce. "Mickey, wait!" 
 
 But Mickey was half a block away turning into an alley. 
 The man's grip tightened a twist. 
 
 "You'll find Mickey's admonition good," he said. "I 
 advise you to take it. 'Be square!' And two things: first, 
 I've got an eye on the Mickeys of this city. If I ever 
 again find you imposing on him or any one else, I'll put 
 you where you can't. Understand ? Second, who is he ? " 
 
 "Mickey!" answered the boy. 
 
 "Mickey who?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "How'd I know?" queried Jimmy. 
 
 "You don't know his name?" pursued Douglas. 
 
 "Naw, I don't!" said the boy. 
 
 "Where does he live?" continued Douglas. 
 
 "I don't know," answered Jimmy. 
 
 "If you have a charge to prefer, I'll take that youngster 
 in for you," offered a policeman passing on his beat. 
 
 "He was imposing on a smaller newsboy. I made him 
 quit," Douglas explained. "That's all." 
 
 "Oh!" said the officer, withdrawing his hand. Away 
 sped Jimmy; with him went all chance of identifying 
 Mickey, but Bruce thought he would watch for him. Ke 
 was such an attractive little fellow. 
 
 Mickey raced through the first alley, down a street, then 
 looked behind. Jimmy was not in sight. 
 
 "Got him to dodge now," he muttered. "If he rver
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 7 
 
 gets a grip on me he'll hammer me meller! I'm going to 
 have a bulldog if I half starve to buy it. Maybe the 
 pound would give me one. I'll see to-morrow." 
 
 He looked long, then started homeward, which meant 
 to jump on a car and ride for miles, then follow streets and 
 alleys again. Finally he entered a last alley that faced 
 due east. A compass could not have pointed more di- 
 rectly toward the rising sun; while there was at least half 
 an hour each clear morning when rickety stairs, wavering 
 fire-escapes, flapping washes, and unkept children were 
 submerged in golden light. Long ago it had been named. 
 By the time of Mickey's advent Sunrise Alley was as much 
 a part of the map of Multiopolis as Biddle Boulevard, and 
 infinitely more pleasing in name. He began climbing in- 
 terminable stairs. At the top of the last flight he unlocked 
 his door to enter his happy home; for Mickey had a home, 
 and it was a happy one. No one else lived in it, while all 
 it contained was his. 
 
 Mickey knew three things about his father: he had had 
 one, he was not square, and he drank himself to death. He 
 could not remember his father, but he knew many men en- 
 gaged in the occupation of his passing, so he well under- 
 stood why his mother never expressed any regrets. 
 
 Vivid in his mind was her face, anxious and pale, but 
 twinkling; her body frail and overtaxed, but hitting back at 
 life uncomplainingly. Bad things happened, but she ex- 
 plained how they might have been worse; so fed on this sop, 
 and watching her example, Mickey grew like her. The 
 difficult time was while she sat over a sewing machine to be 
 with him. When he grew stout-legged and self-reliant, he
 
 s 
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 could be sent after the food, to carry the rent, and to sell 
 papers, then she could work by the day, earn more, have 
 better health, while what both brought home paid the rent 
 of the top room back,of as bad a shamble as a self-respecting 
 city would allow; kept them fed satisfyingly if not nour- 
 ishingly,and allowedthemto slip away many a nickel for the 
 xainydaythatshe always explained would come. And it did. 
 One morning she could not get up; the following Mickey 
 gave all their savings to a man with a wagon to take her to 
 a nice place to rest. The man was sure about it being a 
 nice place. She had told Mickey so often what to do if 
 this ever happened, that when it did, all that was necessary 
 was to remember what he had been told. After it was 
 over and the nice place had been paid for, with the nickels 
 and the sewing machine, with enough left for the first 
 month's rent, Mickey faced life alone. But he knew ex- 
 actly what to do, because she had told him. She had even 
 written it down lest he forget. It was so simple that only 
 a boy who did not mind his mother could have failed. The 
 formula worked perfectly. 
 
 Morning: Get up early. Wash your 
 face, brush your clothes. Eat what was 
 left from supper for breakfast. Put your 
 bed to air, then go out with your papers. 
 Dont be afraid to offer them, or to do work 
 of any sort you have strength for; but be 
 deathly afraid to beg, to lie, or to steal, 
 while if you starve, freeze, or die, never, 
 never touch any kind of drink.
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 9 
 
 Any fellow could do that; Mickey told dozens of them 
 so. 
 
 He got along so well he could pay the rent each month, 
 dress in whole clothing, have enough to eat, often cooked 
 food on the little gasoline stove, if he were not too tired to 
 cook it, and hide nickels in the old place daily. He had a 
 bed and enough cover; he could get water in the hall at the 
 foot of the flight of stairs leading to his room for his bath, 
 to scrub the floor, and wash the dishes. From two years 
 on, he had helped his mother with every detail of her 
 housekeeping; he knew exactly what must be done. 
 
 It was much more dreadful than he thought it would be 
 to come home alone, and eat supper by himself, but if he 
 sold papers until he was almost asleep where he stood, he 
 found he went to sleep as soon as he reached home and had 
 supper. He did not awaken until morning; then he could 
 hurry his work and get ahead of the other boys, and maybe 
 sell to their customers. It might be bad to be alone, bm 
 always he could remember her, and make her seem present 
 by doing every day exactly what she told him. Then, 
 after all, being alone was a very wonderful thing compared 
 with having parents who might beat and starve him and 
 take the last penny he earned, not leaving enough to keep 
 him from being hungry half the time. 
 
 When Mickey looked at some of the other boys, and 
 heard many of them talk, he almost forgot the hourly 
 hunger for his mother, in thankfulness that he did not have 
 a father and that his mother had been herself. Mickey 
 felt sure that if she had been any one of the mothers of 
 most other boys he knew, he would not have gone home at
 
 io MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 all. He could endure cold, hunger, and loneliness, but he 
 felt that he had no talent for being robbed, beaten, and 
 starved; while lately he had fully decided upon a dog for 
 company, when he could find the right one. 
 
 Mickey unlocked his door, entering for his water bucket. 
 Such was his faith in his environment that he relocked the 
 door while he went to the water tap. Returning to the 
 room he again turned the key, then washed his face and 
 hands. He looked at the slip nailed on the wall where she 
 had put it. He knew every word of it, but always it com- 
 forted him to see her familiar writing, to read aloud what to 
 do next as if it were her voice speaking to him. Evening: 
 "Make up your bed." Mickey made his. "Wash any 
 dirty dishes." He had a few so he washed them. " Sweep 
 your floor." He swept. "Always prepare at least one 
 hot thing for supper." He shook the gasoline tank to the 
 little stove. It sounded full enough, so he went to the cup- 
 board his mother had made from a small packing case. 
 There were half a loaf of bread wrapped in its oiled paper, 
 with two bananas discarded by Joe of the fruit stand. He 
 examined his pocket, although he knew perfectly what it 
 contained. Laying back enough to pay for his stock the 
 next day, then counting in his twenty-five cents, he had 
 forty cents left. He put thirty in the rent box, starting out 
 with ten. Five paid for a bottle of milk, three for cheese, 
 two for an egg for breakfast. 
 
 Then he went home. At the foot of the fire-escape that 
 he used in preference to the stairs, he met a boy he knew 
 tugging a heavy basket. 
 
 "Take an end for a nickel," said the boy.
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY n 
 
 "Thanks," said Mickey. " It's my time to dine. 'Sides, 
 I been done once to-day." 
 
 "If you'll take it, I'll pay first," he offered. 
 
 "How far?" questioned Mickey. 
 
 "Oh, right over here," said the boy indefinitely. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "Cross my palm with the 
 silver." 
 
 The nickel changed hands. Mickey put the cheese and 
 egg in his pocket, the milk in the basket, then started. The 
 place where they delivered the wash made Mickey feel 
 almost prosperous. He picked up his milk bottle and 
 stepped from the door, when a long, low wail that made 
 him shudder, reached his ear. 
 
 "What's that?" he asked the woman. 
 
 "A stiff was carried past to-day. Mebby they ain't 
 took the kids yet." 
 
 Mickey went slowly down the stairs, his face sober. 
 That was what his mother had feared for him. That was 
 why she had trained him to care for himself, to save the 
 pennies, so that when She was taken away, he still would 
 have a home. Sounded like a child! He was halfway up 
 che long flight of stairs before he realized that he was going. 
 He found the door at last, then, stood listening. He 
 heard long-drawn, heartbreaking moaning. Presently he 
 knocked. A child's shriek was the answer. Mickey 
 straightway opened the door. The voice guided him to a 
 heap of misery in a corner. 
 
 "What's the matter kid?" inquired Mickey huskily. 
 
 The bundle stirred, while a cry issued. He glanced 
 around the room. What he saw reassured him. He laid
 
 12 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 hold of the tatters, beginning to uncover what was under 
 them. He dropped his hands, stepping back, when a 
 tangled yellow mop and a weazened, bloated girl-child face 
 peered at him, with wildly frightened eyes. 
 
 "If you'd put the wind you're wastin' into words, weM 
 get something done quicker," advised Mickey. 
 
 The tiny creature clutched the filthy covers, still staring. 
 
 "Did you come to ' gtt' me?" she quavered. 
 
 "No," said Mickey. "I heard you from below so I 
 came to see what hurt you. Ain't you got folks?" 
 
 She shook her head: "They took granny in a box and 
 they said they'd come right back and 'get ' me. Oh, please, 
 please don't let them!" 
 
 "Why they'd be good to you," said Mickey largely. 
 "They'd give you" he glanced at all the things the room 
 lacked, then enumerated "a clean bed, lots to eat, a 
 window you could be seeing from, a doll, maybe." 
 
 "No I No ! " she cried. " Granny always said some day 
 she'd go and leave me; then they'd ' gft' me. She's gone! 
 The big man said they'd come right back. Oh don't let 
 them! Oh hide me quick!" 
 
 "Well well ! If you're so afraid, why don't you 
 
 cut and hide yourself then?" he asked. 
 
 "My back's bad. I can't walk," the child answered. 
 
 "Oh Lord!" said Mickey. "When did you get hurt?" 
 
 "It's always been bad. I ain't ever walked," she 
 said. 
 
 "Well!" breathed Mickey, aghast. "And knowing 
 she'd have to leave you some day, your granny went and 
 scared you stiff about the Home folks taking you, when it's.
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 13 
 
 the only place for you to be going? Talk about women 
 having the sense to vote!" 
 
 "I won't go! I won't! I'll scratch them! I'll bite 
 them!" Then in swift change: "Oh boy, don't. Please, 
 please don't let them 'get' me." 
 
 Mickey took both the small bony hands reaching for 
 him. He was so frightened with their hot, tremulous 
 clutch, that he tried to pull away, dragging the tiny figure 
 half to light and bringing from it moans of pain. 
 
 "Oh my back! Oh you're hurting me! Oh don't 
 leave me! Oh boy, oh dear boy, please don't leave me!" 
 
 When she said "Oh dear boy," Mickey heard the voice 
 of his mother in an hourly phrase. He crept closer, endur- 
 ing the touch of the grimy claws. 
 
 "My name's Mickey," he said. "What's yours?" 
 
 "Peaches," she answered. "Peaches, when I'm good. 
 Crippled brat, when I'm bad." 
 
 "Blieve if you had your chance you could look the 
 peaches," said Mickey, "but what were you bad for?" 
 
 "So's she'd hit me," answered Peaches. 
 
 "But if me just pulling a little hurt you so, what hap- 
 pened when she hit you ? " asked Mickey. 
 
 "Like knives stuck into me," said Peaches. 
 
 "Then what did you be bad for?" marvelled Mickey. 
 
 "Didn't you ever get so tired of one thing you'd take 
 something that hurt, jus' for a change?" 
 
 "My eye!" said Mickey. "I don't know one fellow 
 who'd do that, Peaches." 
 
 "Mickey, hide me. Oh hide me! Don't let them 'get' 
 me!" she begged.
 
 I 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Why kid, you're crazy," said Mickey. "Now lemme 
 tell you. Where they'll take you looks like a nice place. 
 Honest it does. I've seen lots of them. You get a clean 
 soft bed all by yourself, three big hot meals a day, things 
 to read, and to play with. Honest Peaches, you do! I 
 wouldn't tell you if it wasn't so. If I'll stay with you 'til 
 they come, then go with you to the place 'til you see how 
 nice it is, will you be good and go?" 
 
 She burrowed in the covers, screeching again. 
 
 "You're scared past all reason," said Mickey. "You 
 don't know anything. But maybe the Orphings' Homes 
 ain't so good as they look. If they are, why was mother 
 frightened silly about them getting me ? Always she said 
 she just had to live until I got so big they wouldn't 'get* 
 me. And I kept them from getting me by doing what she 
 told me. Wonder if I could keep them from getting you? 
 There's nothing of you. If I could move you there, I bet 
 I could feed you more than your granny did, while I know I 
 could keep you cleaner. You could have my bed, a win- 
 dow to look from, and clean covers." Mickey was thinking 
 aloud. "Having you to come home to would be lots nicer 
 than nothing. You'd beat a dog all hollow, 'cause you can 
 talk. If I could get you there, I believe I could be making 
 it. Yes, I believe I could do a lot better than this, and I 
 believe I'd like you, Peaches, you are such a game little 
 kid." 
 
 "She could lift me with one hand," she panted. "Oh 
 Mickey, take me! Hurry!" 
 
 " Lemme see if I can manage you," said Mickey. " Have 
 you got to be took any particular way?"
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 15 
 
 "Mickey, ain't you got folks that beat you?" she asked. 
 
 "I ain't got folks now," said Mickey, "and they didn't 
 beat me when I had them. I'm all for myself and if you 
 say so, I guess from now on, I'm for you. Want to go?" 
 
 Her arms wound tightly around his neck. Her hot 
 little face pressed against it. 
 
 "Put one arm 'cross my shoulders, an' the other round 
 my legs," she said. 
 
 "But I got to go down a lot of stairs; it's miles and 
 miles," said Mickey, "and I ain't got but five cents. I 
 spent it all for grub. Peaches, are you hungry?" 
 
 "No!" she said stoutly. "Mickey, hurry!" 
 
 "But honest, I can't carry you all that way. I would 
 if I could, Peaches, honest I would." 
 
 "Oh Mickey, dear Mickey, hurry!" she begged. 
 
 "Get down and cover up 'til I think," he ordered. "Say 
 you look here! If I tackle this job do you want a change 
 bad enough to be mean for me?" 
 
 "Just a little bit, maybe," said Peaches. 
 
 "But I won't hit you," explained Mickey. 
 
 "You can if you want to," she said. "I won't cry. 
 Give me a good crack now, an' see if I do." 
 
 "You make me sick at my stummick," said Mickey. 
 "Lord, kid! Snuggle down 'til I see. I'm going to get 
 you there some way." 
 
 Mickey went back to the room where he helped deliver 
 the clothes basket. "How much can you earn the rest of 
 the night ? " he asked the woman. 
 
 "Mebby ten cents," she said. 
 
 "Well, if you will loan me that basket and ten cents, and
 
 16 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 come with me an hour, there's that back and just a dollar 
 in it for you, lady," he offered. 
 
 She turned from him with a sneering laugh. 
 
 "Honest, lady!" said Mickey. "This is how it is: that 
 crying got me so I went Anthony Comstockin'. There's a 
 kid with a lame back all alone up there, half starved and 
 scared fighting wild. We could put her in that basket, 
 she's just a handful, and take her to a place she wants to 
 go. We could ride most of the way on the cars and then a 
 Ettle walk, and get her to a cleaner, better room, where 
 she'd be taken care of, and m an hour you'd be back with 
 enough nickels in your pocket to make a great, big, round, 
 shining, full-moon cartwheel. Dearest lady, doesn't the 
 prospect please you?" 
 
 "It would/' she said, "if I had the cartwheel now." 
 
 " In which case you wouldn't go," said Mickey. " Dear- 
 est lady, it isn't business to pay for undone work." 
 
 "And it isn't business to pay your employer's fare to get 
 to your job either," she retorted. 
 
 "No, that beats business a mile," said Mickey. "That's 
 an investment. You invest ten cents and an hour's time 
 on a gamble. Now look what you get, lady. A nice rest- 
 ful ride on the cars. Your ten cents back, a whole, big, 
 shining, round, lady-liberty bird, if you trust in God, as the 
 coin says the bird does, and more'n that, dearest lady, you 
 go to bed feeling your pinfeathers sprouting, 'cause you've 
 done a kind deed to a poor crippled orphing. *' 
 
 "If I thought you really had the money " she said. 
 
 "Honest, lady, I got the money," said Mickey, "and 
 'sides, I got a surprise party for you. When you get back
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 17 
 
 you may go to that room and take every scrap that's in it. 
 Now come on; you're going to be enough of a sporting lady 
 ro try a chance like that, ain't you ? May be a gold mine 
 up there, for all I know. Put something soft in the bot- 
 tom of the basket while I fetch the kid." 
 
 Midkey ran up the stairs. 
 
 "Now Peaches," he said, "I guess I got it fixed. I'm 
 going to carry you down; a nice lady is going to put you in 
 a big basket, then we'll take you to the cars and so get you 
 to my house; but you got to promise, 'cross your heart, you 
 won't squeal, nor say a word, 'cause the police will 'get* 
 you sure, if you do. They'll think the woman is your ma, 
 so it will be all right. See ? " 
 
 Peaches nodded. Mickey wrapped her in the remnants 
 of a blanket, carried her downstairs and laid her in the 
 basket. By turning on her side and drawing up her feet, 
 she had more room than she needed. 
 
 "They won't let us on the cars," said the woman. 
 
 "Dearest lady, wait and see," said Mickey. "Now 
 Peaches, shut your eyes, also your mouth. Don't you 
 take a chance at saying a word. If they won't stand the 
 basket, we'll carry you, but it would hurt you less, while it 
 \vould come in handy when we run out of cars. You 
 needn't take coin only for going, dearest lady; you'll be 
 silver plated coming back." 
 
 "You little fool," said the woman, but she stooped to 
 her end of the basket. 
 
 "Ready, Peaches," said Mickey, "and if it hurts, 'mem- 
 ber it will soon be over, and you'll be where nobody will 
 ever hurt you again."
 
 1 8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Hurry!" begged the child. 
 
 Down the long stairs they went and to the car line. 
 Crowded car after car whirled past; finally one came not so 
 full, it stopped to let off passengers. Mickey was at the 
 conductor's elbow. 
 
 "Please mister, a lame kid," he pleaded. "We want to 
 move her. Please, please help us on." 
 
 "Can't!" said the conductor. "Take a taxi." 
 
 "Broke my limousine," said Mickey. "Aw come on 
 mister; ain't you got kids of your own?" 
 
 "Get out of the way!" shouted the conductor. 
 
 "Hang on de back wid the basket," cried the woman. 
 
 With Peaches laid over her shoulder, she swung to the 
 platform, and found a seat, while Mickey grabbed the bas- 
 ket and ran to the back screaming after her: "I got my 
 fare; only pay for yourself." Mickey told the conductor 
 to tell the lady where to leave the car. When she stepped 
 down he was ready with the basket. Peaches, panting and 
 in cold perspiration with pain, was laid in it. 
 
 "Lovely part of the village, ain't it, lady?" said Mickey. 
 "See the castles of the millyingaires piercing the sky; see 
 their automobiles at the curb; see the lovely ladies and 
 gents promenading the streets enjoying the spring?" 
 
 Every minute Mickey talked to keep the woman from 
 noticing how far she was going; but soon she growled: 
 "How many miles furder is it?" 
 
 "Just around a corner, up an alley, and down a side 
 street a step. Nothing at all! Nice promenade for a 
 spry, lovely young lady like you. Evening walk, smell 
 spring in the air. 'Most there now, Peaches."
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 19 
 
 "Where are ye takin' this kid? Howll I ever get back 
 to the car line ? " asked the woman. 
 
 Mickey ignored the first question. "Why, I'll be 
 eschorting you of course, dearest lady," he said. 
 
 At the point of rebellion, Mickey spoke. "Now set the 
 basket down right here," he ordered. "I'll be back in no 
 time with the lady-bird." 
 
 He returned in a few minutes. Into her outstretched 
 palm he counted twenty-two nickels, picked the child from 
 the basket, darted around a corner calling, "Back in a 
 minute," and was gone. 
 
 "Now Peaches, we got some steps to climb," he said. 
 "Grip my neck tight and stand just a little more." 
 
 "I ain't hurt!" she asserted. "I like seein' things. I 
 never saw so much before. I ain't hurt much!" 
 
 "Your face, your breathing, and the sweating on your 
 lips, is a little disproving," said Mickey, "but I'll have to 
 take your word for it, 'cause I can't help it; but it'll soon be 
 over so you may rest." 
 
 Mickey climbed a flight, then sat down until he could 
 manage another. The last flight he rested three times. 
 One reason he laid Peaches on the floor was because he 
 couldn't reach the bed. After a second's pause he made a 
 light, and opened the milk bottle. 
 
 "Connect with that," he said. "I got to take the lady 
 back to the cars." 
 
 "Oh!" cried the connected child. "Oh Mickey, how 
 good!" 
 
 "Go slow!" said Mickey. "You better save half to 
 have with some bread for your supper. Now I got to
 
 20 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 leave you a little bit, but you needn't be afraid, 'cause I'll 
 lock you in. Nobody will ' get' you here." 
 
 "Now for the cars," said Mickey to his helper. 
 
 "What did them folks say?" she asked. 
 
 "Tickled all over," answered Mickey promptly. 
 
 "That bundle of dirty rags!" she scoffed. 
 
 "They are going to throw away the rags and wash her," 
 said Mickey. "She's getting her supper now." 
 
 "Sounds like lying," said the woman, "but mebby it 
 ain't. Save me, I can't see why anybody would want a 
 kid at any time, let alone a reekin' bunch of skin and 
 crooked bones." 
 
 "You've known folks to want a dog, ain't you?" said 
 Mickey. "Sure something that can think and talk back 
 must be a lot more amusing. I see the parks are full of the 
 rich folks dolling up the dogs, feeding them candy and 
 sending them out for an airing in their automobiles; so it's 
 up to the poor people to look after the homeless children, 
 isn't it?" 
 
 "Do you know the folks that took her?" 
 
 "Sure I do! "said Mickey. 
 
 "Do you live close?" she persisted. 
 
 "Yes! I'm much obliged for your help, dearest lady. 
 When you get home, go up to the last attic back, and if 
 there is anything there you want, help yourself. Peaches 
 don't need it now, while there's no one else. Thank you, 
 and good-bye. Don't fly before your wings grow, 'cause 
 I know you'll feel like trying to-night." 
 
 Mickey hurried back to his room. The milk bottle lay 
 on the floor, the child asleep beside it. The boy gazed at
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 21 
 
 her. There were strange and peculiar stirrings in his 
 lonely little heart. She was so grimy he scarcely could 
 tell what she looked like, but the grip of her tiny hot hands 
 was on him. Presently he laughed. 
 
 "Well fellers! Look what I've annexed! And I was 
 hunting a dog! Well, she's lots better. She won't eat 
 much more, she can talk, and she'll be something alive 
 waiting when I come home. Gee, I'm glad I found 
 her." 
 
 Mickey set the washtub on the floor near the sleeping 
 child, and filling the dishpan with water, put it over the 
 gasoline burner. Then he produced soap, a towel, and 
 comb. He looked at the child again, and going to the 
 box that contained his mother's clothing he hunted out a 
 nightdress. Then he sat down to wait for the water to 
 heat. The door slammed when he went after a bucket of 
 cold water, and awakened the girl. She looked at him, 
 then at his preparations. 
 
 "I ain't going to be washed," she said. "It'll hurt me. 
 Put me on the bed." 
 
 "Put you on my bed, dirty like you are?" cried Mickey. 
 "I guess not! You are going to be a soaped lady. If it 
 hurts, you can be consoling yourself thinking it will be 
 the last time, 'cause after this you'll be washed every day 
 so you won't need skinning alive but once." 
 
 "I won't! I won't !" she cried. 
 
 "Now looky here!" said Mickey. "I'm the boss of 
 this place. If I say wash, it's wash! See! I ain't going 
 to have a dirty girl with mats in her hair living with me. 
 You begged me and begged me to bring you, now you'll be
 
 22 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 cleaned up or you'll go back. Which is it, back or 
 soap ? " 
 
 The child stared at him, then around the room. 
 
 "Soap," she conceded. 
 
 "That's a lady," said Mickey. "Course it's soap! All 
 clean and sweet smelling like a flower. See my mammy's 
 nice white nightie for you? How bad is your back, 
 Peaches? Can you sit up?" 
 
 "A little while," she answered. "My legs won't go." 
 
 "Never you mind," said Mickey. "I'll work hard and 
 get a doctor, so some day they will." 
 
 "They won't ever," insisted Peaches. "Granny carried 
 me to the big doctors once, an' my backbone is weak, an' 
 I won't ever walk, they all said so." 
 
 "Poot! Doctors don't know everything," scorned 
 Mickey. "That was long ago, maybe. By the time I can 
 earn enough to get you a dress and shoes, a doctor will 
 come along who's found out how to make backs over. 
 There's one that put different legs on a dog. I read about 
 it in the papers I sold. We'll save our money and get him 
 to put another back on you. Just a bully back." 
 
 "Oh Mickey, will you?" she cried. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "Now you sit up and I'll wash 
 you like mammy always did me." 
 
 Peaches obeyed. Mickey soaped a cloth, knelt beside 
 her; then he paused. "Say Peaches, when was your hair 
 combed last?" 
 
 "I don't know, Mickey," she answered. 
 
 "There's more dirt in it than there is on your face." 
 
 "If you got shears, just cut it off," she suggested.
 
 HAPPY HOME IN SUNRISE ALLEY 23 
 
 f"Sure!" said Mickey. 
 
 He produced shears and lifting string after string cut 
 all of them the same distance from her head. 
 
 "Girls' shouldn't be short, like boys'," he explained. 
 "Now hang your head over the edge of the tub and shut 
 your eyes so I can wash it," he ordered. 
 
 Mickey soaped and scoured until the last tangle was 
 gone, then rinsed and partly dried the hair, which felt 
 soft and fine to his fingers. 
 
 " B'lieve it's going to curl," he said. 
 
 "Always did," she answered. 
 
 Mickey emptied and rinsed the tub at the drain, then 
 started again on her face and ears, which he washed 
 thoroughly. He pinned a sheet around her neck, then she 
 divested herself of the rags. Mickey lifted her into the 
 tub, draped the sheet over the edge, poured in the water, 
 and handed her the soap. 
 
 "Now you scour, while I get supper," he said. 
 
 Peaches did her best. Mickey locked her in and went 
 after more milk. He wanted to add several extras, but 
 remembering the awful hole the dollar had made in his 
 finances, he said grimly: "No-sir-ee! With a family to 
 keep, and likely to need a doctor at any time and a Carrel 
 back to buy, there's no frills for Mickey. Seeing what 
 she ain't had, she ought to be thankful for just milk." 
 
 So he went back, lifted Peaches from the tub and laid 
 her on the floor, where he dried her with the sheet. Then 
 he put the nightdress over her head, she slipped her arms 
 in the sleeves, and he stretched her on his bed. She 
 was so lost in the garment he tied a string under her arms
 
 24 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 to hold it, and cut off the sleeves at her elbows. The 
 pieces he saved for washcloths. Mickey spread his sheet 
 over her, rolled the bed before the window where she could 
 have air, see sky and housetops, then brought her supper. 
 It was a cup of milk with half the bread broken in, and 
 a banana. Peaches was too tired to eat, so she drank 
 the milk while Mickey finished the remainder. Then he 
 threw her rags from the window, and spread his winter 
 covers on the floor for his bed. Soon both of them were 
 asleep.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 
 
 O MESSENGER boy for those," said Douglas 
 Bruce as he handed the florist the price set on 
 the lady slippers. "Leave them where people 
 may enjoy them until I call." 
 
 As he turned, another man was inquiring about the 
 orchids; he too preferred the slippers; but when he was 
 told they were taken, he had wanted the moccasins all the 
 time, anyway. The basket was far more attractive. He 
 refused delivery, returning to his waiting car smiling 
 over the flowers. He also saw a vision of the woman 
 into whose sated life he hoped to bring a breath of change 
 with the wonderful gift. He saw the basket in her hands, 
 and thrilled in anticipation of the favours her warmed 
 heart might prompt her to bestow upon him. 
 
 In the mists of early morning the pink orchids surrounded 
 by rosemary and ladies' tresses had glowed and gleamed 
 from the top of a silvery moss mound four feet deep, under 
 a big tamarack in a swamp, through the bog of which 
 the squaw plunged to her knees at each step to uproot 
 them. In the evening glow of electricity, snapped from 
 their stems, the beautiful basket untouched, the moc- 
 casins lay on the breast of a woman of fashion, while with 
 every second of contact with the warmth of her body, 
 
 25
 
 26 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 they drooped lower, until clasped in the arms of her lover, 
 they were quite crushed, then flung from an automobile 
 to be ground to pulp by passing wheels. 
 
 The slippers had a happier fate. Douglas Bruce carried 
 them reverently. He was sure he knew the swamp in 
 which they grew. As he went his way, he held the basket, 
 velvet-white, in strong hands, swaying his body with 
 the motion of the car lest one leaf be damaged. When 
 he entered the hall, down the stairs came Leslie Winton. 
 
 "Why Douglas, I wasn't expecting you," she said. 
 
 Douglas Bruce held up the basket. 
 
 "Joy!" she cried. "Oh joy unspeakable! Who has 
 been to the tamarack swamp?" 
 
 "A squaw was leaving Lowry's as he put these in his 
 window," answered Douglas. 
 
 "Bring them," she said. 
 
 He followed to a wide side veranda, set the basket 
 on a table in a cool spot, then drew a chair near it. Leslie 
 Winton seated herself, leaning on the table to study 
 the orchids. Unconsciously she made the picture Doug- 
 las had seen. She reached up slim fingers in delicate 
 touchings here and there of moss, corolla and slipper. 
 
 "Never in all my days " she said. "Never in all 
 
 my days I shall keep the basket always, and the 
 
 slippers as long as I possibly can. See this one! It isn't 
 fully open. I should have them for a week at least. 
 Please hand me a glass of water." 
 
 Douglas started to say that ice water would be too 
 cold, but with the wisdom of a wise man waited; and 
 as always, was joyed by the waiting. For the girl took
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 27 
 
 the glass and cupping her hands around it sat talking to 
 the flowers, and to him, as she warmed the water with 
 heat from her body. Douglas was so delighted with the 
 unforeseen second that had given him first chance at the 
 orchids, and so this unexpected call, that he did not mind 
 the attention she gave the flowers. He had reasons for 
 not being extravagant; but seldom had a like sum brought 
 such returns. He began drawing interest as he watched 
 Leslie. Never had her form seemed so perfect, her dresp 
 so becoming and simple. How could other women make 
 a vulgar display in the same pattern that clothed her 
 modestly? How wonderful were the soft coils of her hair, 
 the tints paling and flushing on her cheeks, her shining 
 eyes! Why corld not all women use her low, even, per- 
 fectly accented speech and deliberate self-control? 
 
 He was in daily intercourse with her father, a high 
 official of the city, a man of education, social position, and 
 wealth. Mr. Winton had reared his only child according 
 to his ideas; but Douglas, knowing these things, believed 
 in blood also. As Leslie turned and warmed the water, 
 watching her, the thought was strong in his mind: what a 
 woman her mother must have been! Each day he was 
 with Leslie, he saw her do things that no amount of cul- 
 ture could instil. Instinct and tact are inborn; careful 
 rearing may produce a good imitation, they are genuine 
 only with blood. Leslie had always filled his ideal of 
 a true woman. To ignore him for his gift would have 
 piqued many a man; Douglas Bruce was pleased. 
 
 "You wonders!" she said softly. "Oh you wonders! 
 When the mists lifted in the marshes this morning, and
 
 28 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the first ray of gold touched you to equal goldness, you 
 didn't know you were coming to me. I almost wish I 
 could put you back. Just now you should be in such 
 cool mistiness, while you should be hearing a hermit 
 thrush sing vespers, a cedar bird call, and a whip-poor-will 
 cry. But I'm glad I have you! Oh I'm so glad you came 
 to me! I never materialized a whole swamp with such 
 vividness as only this little part of it brings. Douglas, 
 when you caught the first glimpse of these, how far into the 
 swamp did you see past them?" 
 
 "To the heart of the swamp and of my heart." 
 
 "I can see it as perfectly as I ever did," she said. "But 
 I eliminate the squaw; possibly because I didn't see her. 
 And however exquisite the basket is, she broke the law 
 when she peeled a birch tree. I'll wager she brought this 
 to Lowry, carefully covered. And I'm not sure but there 
 should have been a law she broke when she uprooted these 
 orchids. Much as I love them, I doubt if I can keep 
 them alive, and bring them to bloom next season. I'll try, 
 but I don't possess flower magic in the highest degree." 
 
 She turned the glass, touching it with questioning 
 palm. Was it near the warmth of bog water? After 
 all, was bog water warm? Next time she was in a swamp 
 she would plunge her hand deeply in the mosses to feel 
 the exact temperature to which those roots had been 
 accustomed. Then she spoke again. 
 
 "Yes, I eliminate the squaw," she said. "These golden 
 slippers are the swamp to me, but I see you kneeling 
 to lift them. I am so glad I'm the woman they made you 
 see."
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 29 
 
 Douglas sat forward and opened his lips. Was not this 
 the auspicious moment? 
 
 "Did the squaw bring more?" she questioned. 
 
 "Yes," he answered. "Pink moccasins in a basket of 
 red osiers, with the same moss, rosemary and white 
 tresses. Would you rather those?" 
 
 She set down the glass, drawing the basket toward her 
 with both hands. As she parted the mosses to drop in the 
 water she slowly shook her head. 
 
 "One must have seen them to understand what that 
 would be like," she said. "I know it was beautiful, but 
 I'm sure I should have selected the gold had I been there. 
 Oh I wonder if the woman who has the moccasins will give 
 them a drink to-night! And will she try to preserve their 
 roots?" 
 
 "She will not!" said Douglas emphatically. 
 
 "How can you possibly know?" queried the girl. 
 
 "I saw the man who ordered them," laughed Douglas. 
 
 "Oh!" cried Leslie, comprehendingly. 
 
 "I'd stake all I'm worth the moccasins are drooping 
 against a lavender dress; the roots are in the garbage can, 
 while the cook or maid has the basket," he said. 
 
 "Douglas, how can you!" exclaimed Leslie. 
 
 "I couldn't! Positively couldn't! Mine are here!" 
 
 The slow colour crept into her cheek. "I'll make those 
 roots bloom next spring; you shall see them in perfection,'* 
 she promised. 
 
 "That would be wonderful!" he exclaimed warmly. 
 
 "Tell me, were there yet others?" she asked hastily. 
 
 "Only these," he said. "But there was something
 
 30 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 else. I came near losing them. While I debated, or 
 rather while I possessed these, and worshipped the others, 
 there was a gutter row that almost made me lose yours." 
 
 "In the gutter again?" she laughed. 
 
 "Once again," he admitted. "Such a little chap, with 
 an appealing voice, while his inflection was the smallest 
 part of what he was saying. 'Aw kid, come on. Be 
 square!' Oh Leslie!" 
 
 "Why Douglas!" the girl cried. "Tell me!" 
 
 "Of all the wooden-head slowness!" he exclaimed. 
 "I've let him slip again!" 
 
 "Let who 'slip again?"' questioned Leslie. 
 
 "My little brother!" answered he 
 
 "Oh Douglas! You didn't really?" she protested. 
 
 "Yes I did," he said. "I heard a little lad saying the 
 things that are in the blood and bone of the men money 
 can't buy and corruption can't break. I heard him plead 
 like a lawyer and argue his case straight. I lent a hand 
 when his eloquence failed, got him his deserts, then let 
 him go! I did have an impulse to keep him. I did call 
 after him. But he disappeared." 
 
 "Douglas, we can find him!" she comforted. 
 
 "I haven't found either of the others I realized I'd 
 have been interested in, after I let them slip," he an- 
 swered, "while this boy was both of them rolled into one, 
 and ten more like them." 
 
 "Oh Douglas! I'm so sorry! But maybe some other 
 man has already found him," said Leslie. 
 
 "No. You can always pick the brothered boys," said 
 Douglas. "The first thing that happens to them is a
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 31 
 
 clean-up and better clothing; then an air of possessed im- 
 portance. No man has attached this one." 
 
 "Douglas, describe him," she commanded. "I'll watch 
 for him. How did he look? What was the trouble?" 
 
 "One at a time," cautioned the man. "He was a little 
 chap, a white, clean, threadbare little chap, with such 
 a big voice, so wonderfully intoned, and such a bigger 
 principle, for which he was fighting. One of these over- 
 grown newsboys the public won't stand for unless he is 
 in the way when they are making a car, had hired him to 
 sell his papers while he loafed. Mickey " 
 
 '"Mickey?"' repeated Leslie questioningly. 
 
 "The big fellow called him 'Mickey;' no doubt a mother 
 who adored him named him Michael, and thought him 
 'like unto God' when she did it. The big fellow had 
 loafed all afternoon. When Mickey came back and turned 
 over the money, and waited to be paid off, his employer 
 laughed at the boy for not keeping it when he had it. 
 Mickey begged him 'to be square' and told him that 'was 
 not business' 'not business,' mind you, but the big fellow 
 jeered at him and was starting away. Mickey and I 
 reached him at the same time; so I got in the gutter again. 
 I dc"'t see how I can be so slow! I don't see how I 
 did it!" 
 
 "I don't either," she said, with a twinkle that might 
 have referred to the first of the two exclamations. "It 
 must be your Scotch habit of going slowly and surely. 
 But cheer up! We'll find him. I'll help you." 
 
 "Have you reflected on the fact that this city covers 
 many square miles, of which a fourth is outskirts, while
 
 32 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 from them three thousand newsboys gathered at the last 
 Salvation Army banquet for them?" 
 
 "That's where we can find him!" she cried. "Thanks- 
 giving, or Christmas! Of course we'll see him then." 
 
 "Mickey didn't have a Salvation Army face," he said. 
 "I am sure he is a free lance, and a rare one; besides, this is 
 May. I want my little brother to go on my vacation with 
 me. I want him now." 
 
 "Would it help any if I'd be a sister to you?" 
 
 "Not a bit," said Douglas. "I don't in the very least 
 wish to consider you in the light of a sister; you have an- 
 other place in my heart, very different, yet all your own; 
 but I do wish to make of Mickey the little brother I never 
 have had. Minturn was telling me what a rejuvenation 
 he's getting from the boy he picked up. Already he has 
 him in his office, and is planning school and partnership 
 with a man he can train as he chooses." 
 
 "But Minturn has sons of his own!" protested Leslie. 
 
 "Oh no! Not in the least!" exclaimed Douglas. "Min- 
 turn has sons of his wife's. She persistently upsets and 
 frustrates Minturn's every idea for them, while he is help- 
 less. You will remember she has millions; he has what 
 he earns. He can't separate his boys, splendid pi: sical 
 little chaps, from their mother's money and influence, and 
 educate them to be a help to him. They are to be made 
 into men of wealth and leisure. Minturn will evolve his 
 little brother into a man of brains and efficiency." 
 
 "But Minturn is a power!" cried the girl. 
 
 "Not financially," explained Douglas. "Nothing but 
 money counts with his wife. In telling me of this boy,
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 33 
 
 Minturn confessed that he was forced, forced mind you, 
 to see his sons ruined, while he is building a street gamin 
 as he would them, if permitted." 
 
 "How sad, Douglas!" cried Leslie. "Your voice is 
 bitter. Can't he do something?" 
 
 "Not a blooming thing!" answered Douglas. "She has 
 the money. She is their mother. Her character is unim- 
 peachable. If Minturn went to extremes, the law would 
 give them to her; she would turn them over to ignorant 
 servants who would corrupt them, and be well paid for 
 doing it. Why Minturn told me but I can't repeat that. 
 Anyway, he made me eager to try my ideas on a lad who 
 would be company for me, when I can't be here and don't 
 wish to be with other men." 
 
 "Are you still going to those Brotherhood meetings?" 
 
 "I am. And I always shall be. Nothing in life gives 
 me such big returns for the time invested. There is a 
 world of talk breaking loose about the present 'unrest' 
 among women; I happen to know that the 'unrest' is as 
 deep with men. For each woman I personally know, 
 bitten by 'unrest,' I know two men in the same condition. 
 As long as men and women are forced to combine, to 
 uphold society, it is my idea that it would be a good thing 
 if there were to be a Sisterhood organized; then the two 
 societies frankly brought together and allowed to clear 
 up the differences between them." 
 
 "But why not?" asked the girl eagerly. 
 
 "Because we are pursuing false ideals, we have a wrong 
 conception of what is worth while in life," answered the 
 Scotsman. "Because the sexes except in rare, very
 
 34 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 rare, instances, do not understand each other, and every 
 day are drifting farther apart, while most of the married 
 folk I know are farthest apart of all. Leslie, what is it 
 in marriage that constrains people? We can talk, argue 
 and agree or disagree on anything, why can't the Min- 
 turns?" 
 
 "From what you say, it would seem to me it's her idea 
 of what is worth while in life," said Leslie. 
 
 "Exactly!" cried Douglas. "But he can sway men! 
 He can do powerful work. He could induce her to marry 
 him. Why can't he control his own blood ? " 
 
 "If she should lose her money and become dependent 
 upon him for support, he could!" said Leslie. 
 
 "He should do it anyway," insisted Douglas. 
 
 "Do you think you could?" she queried. 
 
 "I never thought myself in his place," said Douglas, 
 "but I believe I will, and if I see glimmerings, I'll suggest 
 them to him." 
 
 "Good boy ! " said the girl lightly. And then she added : 
 "Do you mind if I think myself in her place and see if I 
 can suggest a possible point at which she could be reached ? 
 I know her. I shouldn't consider her happy. At least 
 not with what I call joy." 
 
 "What do you call joy?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Being satisfied with your environment." 
 
 Douglas glanced at her, then at her surroundings, and 
 looking into her eyes laughed quizzically. 
 
 "But if it were different, I am perfectly confident that I 
 should work out joy from life," insisted Leslie. "It owes 
 me joy! I'll have it, if I fight for it!"
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 35 
 
 "Leslie! Leslie! Be careful! You are challenging 
 Providence. Stronger men than I have wrought chaos 
 for their children," said a warning voice, as her father 
 came behind her chair. 
 
 "Chaos or no, still I'd put up my fight for joy, Daddy,'* 
 laughed the girl. "Only see, Preciousest!" 
 
 "One minute!" said her father, shaking hands with 
 Douglas. "Now what is it, Leslie? Oh, I do see!" 
 
 "Take my chair and make friends," said the girl. 
 
 Mr. Winton seated himself, then began examining and 
 turning the basket. "Indians?" he queried. 
 
 "Yes," said Douglas. "A particularly greasy squaw. I 
 wish I might truthfully report an artist's Indian of the 
 Minnehaha type, but alack, it was the same one I've seen 
 ever since I've been in the city, and that you've seen for 
 years before my arrival." 
 
 Mr. Winton still turned the basket. 
 
 "I've bought their stuff for years, because neither Leslie 
 nor her mother ever would tolerate fat carnations and 
 overgrown roses so long as I could find a scrap of arbutus, 
 a violet or a wake-robin from the woods. We've often 
 motored up and penetrated the swamp I fancy these came 
 from, for some distance, but later in the season; it's so very 
 boggy now. Aren't these rather wonderful ? " He turned 
 to his daughter. 
 
 "Perfectly, Daddy," she said. "Perfectly!" 
 
 "But I don't mean for the Creator," explained 
 Mr. Winton. "I am accustomed to His miracles. 
 Every day I see a number of them. I mean for the 
 squaw."
 
 36 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "I'd have to know the squaw and understand her view- 
 point," said Leslie. 
 
 "She had it in her tightly clenched fist," laughed Doug- 
 las. "One, I'm sure; anyway, not over two." 
 
 "That hasn't a thing to do with the art with which she 
 made the basket and filled it with just three perfect 
 plants," said Leslie. 
 
 "You think there is real art in her anatomy?" queried 
 Mr. Winton. 
 
 "Bear witness, O you treasures of gold!" cried Leslie, 
 waving toward the basket. 
 
 "There was another," explained Douglas as he again 
 described the osier basket. 
 
 Mr. Winton nodded. He looked at his daughter. 
 
 "I like to think, young woman, that you were born with 
 and I have cultivated what might be called artistic taste in 
 you," he said. "Granted the freedom of the tamarack 
 swamp, could you have done better?" 
 
 "Not so well, Daddy! Not nearly so well. I never 
 could have defaced what you can see was a noble big tree 
 by cutting that piece of bark, while I might have wor- 
 shipped until dragged away, but so far as art and I are con- 
 cerned, the slippers would still be under their tamarack." 
 
 "You are begging the question, Leslie," laughed her 
 father. "I was not discussing the preservation of the 
 wild, I was inquiring into the state of your artistic ability. 
 If you had no hesitation about taking the flowers, could 
 you have gone to that swamp, collected the material and 
 fashioned and filled a more beautiful basket than this?" 
 
 "How can I tell, Daddy?" asked the girl. "There's
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 37 
 
 only one way to learn. I'll forget my scruples, you get me 
 a pair of rubber boots, th~n we'll drive to the tamarack 
 swamp and experiment." 
 
 "We'll do it!" cried Mr. Winton. "The very first half 
 day I can spare, we'll do it. And you Douglas, you will 
 want to come with us, of course." 
 
 "Why, 'of course,'" laughed Leslie. 
 
 "Because he started the expedition with his golden 
 slippers. When it come to putting my girl, and incident- 
 ally my whole family, in competition with an Indian squaw 
 on a question of art, naturally, her father and one of her 
 best friends would want to be present." 
 
 "But maybe 'Minnie* went alone, and what chance 
 would her work have with you two for judges?" asked 
 Leslie. 
 
 "We needn't be the judges," said Douglas Bruce quietly. 
 "We can put this basket in the basement in a cool, damp 
 place, where it will keep perfectly for a week. When you 
 make your basket we can find the squaw and bring her 
 down with us. Lowry could display the results side by side. 
 He could call up whomever you consider the most artistic 
 man and woman in the city and get their decision. You'd 
 be willing to abide by that, wouldn't you?" 
 
 "Surely, but it wouldn't be fair to the squaw," explained 
 Leslie. "I'd have had the benefit of her art to begin on.'* 
 
 "It would," said Mr. Winton. "Does not every artist 
 living, painter, sculptor, writer, what you will, have the 
 benefit of all art that has gone before?" 
 
 "You agree?" Leslie turned to Douglas. 
 
 **Your father's argument is a truism."
 
 38 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "But I will know that I am on trial. She didn't. Is it 
 fair to her?" persisted Leslie. 
 
 "For begging the question, commend me to a woman," 
 said Mr. Winton. "The point we began at, was not what 
 you could do in a contest with her. She went to the 
 swamp and brought from it some flower baskets. It is 
 perfectly fair to her to suppose that they are her best art. 
 Now what we are proposing to test is whether the finest 
 product of our civilization, as embodied in you, can go to 
 the same swamp, and from the same location surpass her 
 work. Do I make myself clear?" 
 
 "Perfectly clear, Daddy, and it would be fair," con- 
 ceded Leslie. "But it is an offence punishable with a 
 heavy fine to peel a birch tree; while I wouldn't do it, if 
 it were not." 
 
 "Got her to respect the law anyway," said Mr. Winton 
 to Douglas. "The proposition, Leslie, was not that you 
 do the same thing, but that from the same source you 
 outdo her. You needn't use birch bark if it involves your 
 law-abiding soul." 
 
 "Then it's all settled. You must hurry and take me 
 before the lovely plants have flowered," said Leslie. 
 
 "I'll go day after to-morrow," promised Mr. Winton. 
 
 "In order to make our plan work, it is necessary that I 
 keep these orchids until that time," said Leslie. 
 
 "You have a better chance than the lady who drew the 
 osier basket has of keeping hers," said Mr. Winton. "If 
 I remember I have seen the slippers in common earth quite 
 a distance from the lake, while the moccasins demand bog 
 moss, water and swamp mists and dampness."
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 39 
 
 "I have seen slippers in the woods myself," said Leslie. 
 "I think the conservatory will do, so they shall go there 
 right now. I have to be fair to 'Minnie.'" 
 
 "Let me carry them for you," offered Douglas, arising. 
 
 "'Scuse us. Back in a second, Daddy," said Leslie. "I 
 am interested, excited and eager to make the test, yet in a 
 sense I do not like it." 
 
 "But why?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Can't you see?" countered Leslie. 
 
 "No," said Douglas. 
 
 "It's shifting my sense of possession," explained the 
 girl. "The slippers are no longer my beautiful gift from 
 you. They are perishable things that belong to an Indian 
 squaw. In justice to her, I have to keep them in perfect 
 condition so that my work may not surpass hers with the 
 unspeakable art of flower freshness; while instead of think- 
 ing them the loveliest tH-.^; in the world, I will now lie 
 awake half the night, no doubt, studying what I can pos- 
 sibly find that is more beautiful." 
 
 Douglas Bruce opened his slow lips, taking a step in her 
 direction. 
 
 "Dinner is served," announced her father. He looked 
 inquiringly toward his daughter. She turned to Douglas. 
 
 "Unless you have a previous engagement, you will dine 
 with us, won't you?" she asked. 
 
 "I should be delighted," he said heartily. 
 
 When the meal was over and they had returned to the 
 veranda, Leslie listened quietly while the men talked, most 
 of the time, but when she did speak, what she said proved 
 that she alwavs had listened to and taken part in the dis-
 
 40 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 cussions of men, until she understood and could speak of 
 business or politics intelligently. 
 
 "Have you ever considered an official position, Doug- 
 las?" inquired Mr. Winton. "I have an office within my 
 gift, or so nearly so that I can control it, and it seems to me 
 that you would be a good man. Surely we could work to- 
 gether in harmony." 
 
 "It never has appealed to me that I wanted work of that 
 nature," answered Douglas. "It's unusually kind of you 
 to think of me, and make the offer, but I am satisfied with 
 what I am doing, while there is a steady increase in my 
 business that gives me confidence." 
 
 "What's your objection to office?" asked Mr. Winton. 
 
 "That it takes your time from your work," answered 
 Douglas. "That it changes the nature of your work. 
 That if you let the leaders of a party secure you a nomina- 
 tion, and the party elect yo.-, you are bound to their 
 principles, at least there is a tacit understanding that you 
 are, and if you should happen to be afflicted with principles 
 of your own, then you have got to sacrifice them." 
 
 "'Afflict' is a good word in this instance," said Mr. 
 Winton. "It is painful to a man of experience to see you 
 young fellows of such great promise come up and 'kick* 
 yourself half to death 'against the pricks' of established 
 business, parties, and customs, but half of you do it. In 
 the end all of you come limping in, poor, disheartened, de- 
 feated, and then swing to the other extreme, by being so 
 willing for a change you'll take almost anything, and so the 
 dirty jobs naturally fall to you." 
 
 "I grant much of that," Douglas said, in his deliberate
 
 MOCCASINS AND LADY SLIPPERS 41 
 
 way, "but happily I have sufficient annual income from 
 my father's estate to enable me to live until I become ac- 
 quainted in a strange city, and have time to establish the 
 kind of business I should care to handle. I am thinking of 
 practising corporation law; I specialized in that, so I may 
 have the pleasure before so very long of going after some of 
 the men who do what you so aptly term the 'dirty' jobs." 
 
 "A repetition of the customary chorus," said Mr. Win- 
 ton, "differing only in that it is a little more emphatic than 
 usual. I predict that you will become an office-bolder, 
 having party affiliations, inside ten years." 
 
 "Possibly," said Douglas. "But I'll promise you this: 
 it will be a new office no man ever before has held, in the 
 gift of a party not now in existence." 
 
 "Oh you dreamers ! " cried Mr. Winton. "What a won- 
 derful thing it is to be young and setting out to reform the 
 world, especially on a permanent income. That's where 
 you surpass most reformers.'* 
 
 "But I said nothing about reform," corrected Douglas. 
 "I said I was thinking of corporation law." 
 
 "I'm accustomed to it; while you wouldn't scare Leslie 
 if you said 'reform,'" remarked Mr. Winton. "She's a 
 reformer herself, you know." 
 
 "But only sweat-shops, child labour, civic improvement, 
 preservation of the wild, and things like that!" cried Leslie 
 so quickly and eagerly, that both men laughed. 
 
 "God be praised!" exclaimed her father. 
 
 "God be fervently praised!" echoed her lover. 
 
 Before she retired Leslie visited the slippers. 
 
 "I'd like to know," she said softly, as she touched a
 
 4^ MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 bronze striped calyx, "I'd like to know how I am to pene- 
 trate your location, and find and fashion anything to outdo 
 you and the squaw, you wood creatures you!" Then she 
 bent above the flowers and whispered: 'Tuck this in the 
 toe of your slipper! Three times to-night it was in his 
 eyes, and on his tongue, but his slowness let the moment 
 pass. I can 'bide a wee' for my Scotsman, I can bide for- 
 ever, if I must; for it's he only, and no other." 
 
 The moccasins soon had been ground to pulp and car- 
 ried away on a non-skid tire while at three o'clock in the 
 morning a cross , dishevelled society woman, in passing 
 from her dressing room to her bed, stumbled over the osier 
 basket, kicking it from her way.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 s. o. s. 
 
 MICKEY, his responsibility weighing upon him, 
 slept lightly and awakened early, his first 
 thought of Peaches. He slipped into his cloth- 
 ing and advancing peered at her through the grayness. 
 His heart beat wildly. 
 
 "Aw you poor kid! You poor little kid!" he whispered 
 to himself as he had fallen into the habit of doing for com- 
 pany. "The scaring, the jolting, the scouring, and 
 everything were too much for you. You've gone sure! 
 You're just like them at the morgue. Aw Peaches! I 
 didn't mean to hurt you, Peaches! I was trying to be 
 
 good to you. Honest I was, Peaches! Aw !" 
 
 As his fright increased Mickey raised his voice until his 
 last wail reached the consciousness of the sleeping child. 
 She stirred slightly, her head moving on the pillow. 
 Mickey almost fell, so great was his relief. He stepped 
 closer, gazing in awe. The sheared hair had dried in the 
 night, tumbling into a hundred golden ringlets. The 
 tiny clean face was white, so white that the blue of the 
 closed eyes showed darkly through the lids, the blue veins 
 streaked the temples and the little claws lying relaxed on 
 the sheet. Mickey slowly broke up inside. A big, hard 
 lump grew in his throat. He shut his lips tight and bored 
 
 43
 
 44 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the tears from his eyes with his wiry fists. He began to 
 mutter his thoughts to regain self-control. 
 
 "Gee kid, but you had me scared to the limit!" he said. 
 "I thought you were gone, sure. Honest I did! Ain't I 
 glad though! But you're the whitest thing! You're 
 
 like I'll tell you what you're like. You're like the 
 
 lily flowers in the store windows at Easter. You're white 
 like them, and your hair is the little bit of gold decorating 
 them. If I'd known it was like that I wouldn't a-cut it if 
 I'd spent a month untangling it. Honest I wouldn't, kid! 
 I'm awful sorry! Gee, but it would a-been pretty spread 
 over mother's pillow." 
 
 Mickey gazed, worshipped and rejoiced as he bent lower 
 from time to time to watch the fluttering breath. 
 
 "You're so clean now you just smell good; but I got to 
 go easy. The dirt covered you so I didn't see how sick 
 you were. You'll go out like a candle, that's what you'll 
 do. I mustn't let even the wind blow cold on you. I 
 couldn't stand it if I was to hurt you. I'd just go and lay 
 down before the cars or jump down an elevator hole. 
 Gee, I'm glad I found you! I wouldn't trade you for the 
 smartest dog that's being rode around in the parks. Nor 
 for the parks! Nor the trees! Nor the birds! Nor the 
 buildings! Nor the swimming places! Nor the auto- 
 mobiles! Nor nothing! Not nothing you could mention 
 at all! Not eating! Nor seeing! Nor having! Not no 
 single thing nothing at all Lily! 
 
 "Lily!" he repeated. "Little snow white lily! Peaches 
 is a good name for you if you're referring to sweetness, but 
 it doesn't fit for colour. Least I never saw none white
 
 S. O. S. 45 
 
 Lily fits you better. If you'd been a dog, I was going to 
 name you Partner. But you're mine just as much as if 
 you was a dog, so I'll name you if I want to. Lily! That's 
 what God made you; that's what I'm going to call 
 you." 
 
 The God thought, evoked by creation, remained in Mick- 
 ey's heart. He glanced at the sky clearing from the 
 graying mists of morning, while the rumble of the streets 
 came up to him in a dull roar. 
 
 "O God, I guess I been forgetting my praying some, 
 since mother went. I'd nothing but myself and I ain't 
 worth bothering You about. But O God, if You are 
 going to do any big things to-day, why not do some for 
 Lily? Can't be many that needs it more. If You saw 
 her yesterday, You must see if You'll- look down now, 
 that she's better off, she's worlds better off. Wonder if 
 You sent me to get her, so she would be better off. Gee, 
 why didn't You send one of them millyingaires who could 
 a-dressed her up, fed her and took her to the country 
 where the sun would shine on her. Ain't never touched 
 her, I bet a liberty-bird. But if You did the sending, 
 You sent just me, so she's my job, an' I'll do her! But I 
 wish You'd help me, or send me help, O God. It's an 
 awful job to tackle all alone, for I'm going to be scared 
 stiff if she gets sick. I can tell by how I felt when I 
 thought she was gone. So if You sent me God, it's up to 
 You to help me. Come on now! If You see the sparrows 
 when they fall, You jest good naturedly ought to see Lily 
 Peaches, 'cause she's always been down, and she can't ever 
 get up, unless we can help her. Help me all You can O
 
 46 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 God, and send me help to help her all I can, 'cause she can 
 use all the help she can get, and then some! Amen!" 
 
 Mickey took one of Peaches' hands in his. 
 
 "I ain't the time now, but to-night I got to cut your 
 nails and clean them, then I guess you'll do to start 
 on," he said as he squeezed the hand. "Lily! Lily 
 Peaches, wake up! It's morning now. I got to go out 
 with the papers to earn supper to-night. Wake up! I 
 must wash you and feed you 'fore I go." 
 
 Peaches opened her eyes, drawing back startled. 
 
 "Easy now!" cautioned Mickey. "Easy now! Don't 
 be scared. Nobody can 'get' you here! What you want 
 for breakfast, Flowersy-girl? Little Lily white." 
 
 An adorable smile illumined the tiny face at the first 
 kindly awakening it ever had known. 
 
 " You won't let them 'get' me, will you?" she triumphed. 
 
 "You know it!" he answered conclusively. "Now I'll 
 wash your face, cook your breakfast, and fix you at the 
 window where maybe you can see birds going across. 
 Think of that, Lily! Birds!" 
 
 "My name's Peaches!" said the child. 
 
 " So 'tis ! " said Mickey. " But since you arrived to such 
 bettered conditions, you got to be a lady of fashion. Now 
 Peaches, every single kid in the Park is named two names, 
 these days. Fellow can't have a foot race for falling over 
 Mary Elizabeths, and Louisa Ellens. I can't do so much 
 just to start on, 'cause I can't earn the boodle; fast as 
 I get it, you're going to line up; but nachally, just at start- 
 ing you must begin on the things that are not expensive. 
 Now names don't cost anything, so I can be giving you six
 
 S. O. S. 47 
 
 if I like, and you are a lily, so right now I'm naming you 
 Lily, but two's the style; keep your Peaches, if it suits you. 
 Lily just flies out of my mouth when I look at you/' 
 
 This was wonderful. No cursing! No beating! No 
 wailing over a lame-back brat to feed. Mickey liked to 
 give her breakfast! Mickey named her for the wonderful 
 flower like granny had picked up before a church one day, 
 a few weeks ago and in a rare sober moment had carried to 
 her. Mickey had made her feel clean, so rested, and 
 so fresh she wanted to roll over the bed. With child im- 
 pulse she put up her arms. Mickey stooped to them. 
 
 "You goin' to have two names too," she said. "You 
 gotter be fash'nable. I ist love you for everything wash- 
 in', an' breakfast, an' the bed, an' winder, an' ofFthe floor; 
 oh I just love you sick for the winder, an' off the floor. 
 You going to be" she paused in a deep study to think of 
 a word anywhere nearly adequate, then ended in a burst 
 that was her best emanation "lovest! Mickey-lovest ! " ) 
 
 She hugged him closely, then lifted her chin and pursed > 
 her lips. Mickey pulled back, a dull colour in his face. 
 
 "Now nix on the mushing!" he said. "I'll stand for a 
 hug once a day, but nix on the smear!" 
 
 "You'd let a dog," she whimpered. "I ain't kissed 
 nothin' since granny sold the doll a lady gave me the time 
 we went to the doctor's, an' took the money to get drunk T 
 on, an' beat me more'n I needed for a change, 'cause I 
 cried for it. I think you might!" 
 
 "Aw well, go on then, if you're going to bawl," said 
 Mickey, "but put it there!" 
 
 He stepped as far back as he could, leaned over, and
 
 48 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 swept the hair from his forehead, which he brought in 
 range of her lips. He had to brace himself to keep from 
 flinching at their cold touch and straightened in relief. 
 
 "Now that's over!" he said briskly. "I'll wash you, 
 and get your breakfast." 
 
 "You do a lot of washin', don't you?" inquired Peaches. 
 
 "You want the sleep out of your eyes," coaxed 
 Mickey. 
 
 He brought the basin and a cloth, washing the child's 
 face and hands gently as was in his power. 
 
 "Flowersy-girl," he said, "if you'd looked last night like 
 you do this morning, I'd never tackled getting you here in 
 the world. I'd thought you'd break sure." 
 
 "G'wan kid," she said. "I can stand a lot. I been 
 knocked round somepin awful. She dragged me by one 
 hand or the hair when she was tight, and threw me in a 
 corner an' took the" Peaches glanced over the bed, 
 refusing to call her former estate by the same name "took 
 the place herself. You ain't hurting me. You can jerk 
 me a lot." 
 
 "I guess you've been jerked enough, Lily Peaches," he 
 said. "I guess jerkin' ain't going to help your back any. 
 I think we better be easy with it 'til we lay up the money 
 to Carrel it. He put different legs on a dog, course he can 
 put a new back on you." 
 
 "Dogs doesn't count only with rich folks 'at rides 'em, 
 an' feeds 'em cake; but where'll you find 'nother girl 'at ull 
 spare her back for me, Mickey-lovest ? " asked Peaches. 
 
 "Gee, Lily!" he cried. "I didn't think of that I wish 
 I hadn't promised you. Course he could change the backs.
 
 S. O. S. 49 
 
 but where'd I get one. I'll just have to let him take 
 mine." 
 
 "I don't want no boy's back!" flashed Peaches. "I 
 won't go out an' sell papers, an' wash you, an' feed you, 
 an' let you stay here in this nice bed. I don't want no 
 new back, grand like it is here. I won't have no dog's 
 back, even. I won't have no back!" 
 
 "Course I couldn't let you work and take care of me, 
 Lily," he said. "Course I couldn't! I was just thinking 
 what I could do. I'll write a letter and ask the Carrel man 
 if a dog's -back would do. I could get one your size at the 
 pound, maybe." 
 
 Peaches arose at him with hands set like claws. 
 
 "You fool!" she shrieked. "You big damn fool! ( A 
 dogs back!' I won't! You try it an' I'll scratch your 
 eyes out! You stop right now on backs an' go hell-bent 
 an' get my breakfast! I'm hungry! I like my back! I 
 will have it! You " 
 
 Mickey snatched his pillow from the floor, using it to 
 press the child against hers. Then he slipped it down a 
 trifle at one corner and spoke: 
 
 "Now you cut that out, Miss Chicken, right off!" he 
 said sternly. "I wouldn't take no tantrums from a dog, 
 so I won't from you. You'll make your back worse act- 
 ing like that, than beating would make it, and 'sides, if 
 you're going to live with me, you must be a lady. No lady 
 says such words as you used, and neither does no gentle- 
 man, 'cause I don't myself. Now you'll either say, 
 * Mickey, please get me my breakfast,' and I'll get you one 
 with a big surprise, or you'll lay here alone and hungry
 
 50 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 'til I come back to-night. And it'll be a whole day, 
 see?" 
 
 "F I wasn't a pore crippled kid, you wouldn't say that 
 to me," she wailed. 
 
 "And if you wasn't *a poor crippled kid,' you wouldn't 
 say swearin's to me," said Mickey, "'cause you know I'd 
 lick the stuffin' out of you, and if you could see yourself, 
 you'd know that you need stuffin' in, more than you need 
 it out. I'm 'mazed at you! Forget that you ever heard 
 such stuff, and be a nice lady, won't you? My time's get- 
 ting short and I got to go, or the other kids will sell to my 
 paper men, then we'll have no supper. Now you say, 
 'Mickey, please get my breakfast,' like a lady, or you won't 
 get a bite." 
 
 "'Mickey, please get my breakfast,'" she imitated. 
 
 Mickey advanced threateningly with the pillow. 
 
 "Won't do!" he said. "That ain't like no lady! 
 That's like me. You'll say it like yourself y or you won't 
 get it." 
 
 She closed her lips, burying her face in her own pillow. 
 
 "All right," said Mickey. "Then I'll get my own. If 
 you don't want any, I'll have twice as much." 
 
 He laid the pillow on the foot of the bed, saying politely: 
 "'Scuse me, Lily, till I get me a bottle of milk." 
 
 Soon he returned and with his first glimpse of the bed 
 stood aghast. It was empty. His eyes searched the 
 room. His pallet on the floor outlined a tiny form. A 
 J.bmayed half smile flashed over his face. He took 
 a step toward her, and then turned, getting out a cloth 
 he had not used since being alone. Near the bed he set
 
 S. O. S. 51 
 
 the table and laid a plate, knife, fork and spoon. Be- 
 cause he was watching Peaches he soon discovered she 
 was peeking out at him, so he paid strict attention to the 
 burner he was^ighting. 
 
 Then he sliced bread, put on a toaster, set the milk on 
 the table, broke an egg in a saucer, and turned the toast. 
 Soon the odours filled the room, also a pitiful sound. 
 Mickey knew Peaches must have hurt herself sliding from 
 the bed, although her arms were strong for the remainder 
 of her body. She had no way to reach his pallet but to 
 roll across the floor. She might have bruised herself 
 badly. He was amazed, disgusted, yet compassionate. 
 He went to her and turned back the comfort. 
 
 "You must be speaking a little louder, Lily," he said 
 gently. "I wasn't quite hearing you." 
 
 Only muffled sobbing. Mickey dropped the cover. 
 
 "I want my breakfast," said a very small voice. 
 
 "You mean, * Mickey, please get my breakfast,' Flow- 
 ersy-girl," he corrected gently. 
 
 "Oh I hurt myself so!" Peaches wailed. "Oh Mickey, 
 I fell an' broke my back clear in two. 'Tain't like rollin' off 
 my rags; oh Mickey, it's so far to the floor, from your bed! 
 Oh Mickey, even another girl's back, or yours, or a dog's, 
 or anybody's wouldn't fix it now. It'll hurt for days. 
 Mickey, why did I ever? Oh what made me? Mickey- 
 lovest, please, please put me back on the nice fine bed, 
 an' do please give me some of that bread." 
 
 Mickey lifted her, crooning incoherent things. He 
 wiped her face and hands, combed her hair, and pushed the 
 table against the bed. He broke toast in a glass and
 
 5 2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 poured milk over it. Then he cooked the egg and gave her 
 that, keeping only half the milk and one slice of bread. He 
 made a sandwich of more bread, and the cheese, put a 
 banana with it, set a cup of water in reach, and told her 
 that was her lunch; to eat it when the noon whistles blew. 
 Then he laid all the picture books he had on the back of the 
 bed, put the money for his papers in his pocket, and locking 
 her in, ran down Sunrise Alley fast as he could. 
 
 He was one hour late. He had missed two regular cus- 
 tomers. They must be made up and more. Light, air, 
 cleanliness, and kindness would increase Peaches' appetite, 
 which seemed big now for the size of her body. Mickey's 
 face was very sober when he allowed himself to think of his 
 undertaking. How would he make it? He had her now, 
 he simply must succeed. The day was half over before 
 Mickey began to laugh for no apparent reason. He had 
 realized that she had not said what he had required of her, 
 after all. 
 
 "Gee, I'm up against it," said Mickey. "I didn't 
 s'pose she'd act like that! I thought she'd keep on 
 being like when she woke up. I never behaved like 
 that." 
 
 Then in swift remorse: "But I had the finest mother a 
 fellow ever had to tell me, while she ain't had any one, and 
 only got me now, so I'll have to tell her; course I can't do 
 everything at once. So far as that goes, she didn't do any 
 worse than the millyingaires' kids in the park who roll 
 themselves in the dirt, bump their own heads, and scream 
 and fight. I guess my kid's no worse than other people's. 
 I can train her like mother did me; then we'll be enough
 
 "Now you cut that out, Miss Chicken, right off!" 
 said Mickey.
 
 S. O. S. 53 
 
 alike we can live together, and even when she was the 
 worst, I liked her. I liked her cartloads." 
 
 So Mickey shouldered the duties of paternity, and began 
 thinking for his child, his little, neglected, bad, sick child. 
 His wits and feet always had been nimble; that day he ex- 
 celled himself. Anxiety as to how much he must carry home 
 at night to replace what he had spent in moving Peaches to 
 his room, three extra meals to provide before to-morrow 
 night, something to interest her through the long day: it 
 was a contract, surely! Mickey faced it gravely, but he 
 did not flinch. He did not know how it was to be done, 
 but he did know it must be done. "Get" her they should 
 not. Whatever it had been his mother had feared for him, 
 nameless though the horror was, from that he must save 
 Lily. Mickey had thought it must be careless nurses or 
 lack of love. Yesterday's papers had said there were some 
 children at one of the Homes, no one ever visited; they 
 were sick for love; would not some kind people come to see 
 them? It must have been that she feared. He could not 
 possibly know it was the stigma of having been a charity 
 child she had been combating with all her power. 
 
 They had not "got" him; they must not "gef" his 
 Lily; yet stirrings in Mickey's brain told him he was not 
 going to be sufficient, alone. There were emergencies he 
 did not know how to manage. He must have help. 
 Mickey revolved the problem in his worried head without 
 reaching a solution. His necessity drove him. He darted, 
 dodged and took chances. Far down the street he 
 selected his victim and studied his method of assault as he 
 approached; for Mickey did victimize people that day.
 
 5; MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 He sold them papers when they dul not want them. He 
 bettered that and sold them papcrj when they had them. 
 He snatched up lost papers, smoothed and sold them over. 
 Every gay picture or broken toy dropped from an auto- 
 mobile he caught up and pocketed for her. 
 
 A woman stumbled alighting from a passing car. Mickey 
 dropped his papers and sprang forward. Her weight 
 bore him to the pavement, but he kept her from falling, 
 and even as he felt her on her feet, he snatched under 
 the wheels for her purse. 
 
 "Is that all your stuff, lady?" he asked. 
 
 "Thank you! I think so," she said. "Wait a minute!" 
 
 To lend help was an hourly occurrence with Mickey. 
 She had been most particular to teach him that. He was 
 gathering up and smoothing his papers several of which 
 were soiled. The woman opened the purse he had res- 
 cued, taking therefrom a bill which she offered him. 
 
 "Thanks!" said Mickey. "My shoulder is worth con- 
 siderable to me; but nothing like that to you, lady!" 
 
 "Well!" she said. "Are you refusing the money?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "I ain't a beggar! Just a bal- 
 ance on my shoulder and picking up your purse ain't 
 worth an endowment. I'll take five cents each for three 
 soiled papers, if you say so.'* 
 
 "You amazing boy!" said the woman. "Don't you 
 understand that if you hadn't offered your shoulder, I 
 might now be lying senseless? You saved me a hard fall, 
 while my dress would have been ruined. You step over 
 here a minute. What's your name?" 
 
 " Michael O'Halloran," was the answer.
 
 S. O. S. 55 
 
 "Where do you live?" 
 
 "Sunrise Alley. It's miles on the cars, then some more 
 walking," explained Mickey. 
 
 "Whom do you live with?" 
 
 "Myself," said Mickey. 
 
 "Alone?" 
 . "All but Peaches," said Mickey. "Lily Peaches." 
 
 "Who is Lily Peaches?" 
 
 "She's about so long" Mickey showed how long 
 "and about so wide" he showed how wide "and white 
 like Easter church flowers. Her back's bad. I'm her 
 governor; she's my child." 
 
 "If you won't take the money for yourself, then take it 
 for her," offered the woman. "If you have a little sick 
 girl to support, you surely can use it." 
 
 "Umm!" said Mickey. "You kind of ball a fellow up 
 and hang him on the ropes. Honest you do, lady! I can 
 take care of myself. I know I can, 'cause I've done it 
 three years, but I don't know how I'm goin' to make it 
 with Lily, for she needs a lot. She may get sick any 
 day, so I ain't sure how I'm going to manage well with 
 her." 
 
 "How long have you taken care of her?" 
 
 "Since last night," explained Mickey. 
 
 "Oh! How old is she?" Questions seemed endless. 
 
 "I don't know," answered Mickey. "Her granny died 
 and left her lying on rags in a garret. I found her screech- 
 ing, so I took her to my castle and washed her, and fed her. 
 You should see her now." 
 
 "I believe I should!" said the woman. "Let's go at
 
 5 6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 once. You know Michael, you can't care for a girl. I'll 
 put her in one of the beautiful Children's Homes " 
 
 "Now nix on the Children's Homes, fair lady!" he cried 
 angrily. "I guess you'll find her, 'fore you take her! I 
 found her first, and she's mine! I guess you'll find her, 
 Yore you take her to a Children's Home, where the doctors 
 slice up the poor kids for practice so they'll know how to 
 get money for doing it to the rich ones. I've annexed Lily 
 Peaches, and you don't * get 9 her! See?" 
 
 "I see," said the woman. "But you're mistaken 
 
 '"Scuse crossing your wire, but I don't think I am," said 
 Mickey. "The only way you can know, is to have been 
 there yourself. I don't think you got that kind of a start, 
 or want it for kids of your own. My mother killed herself 
 to keep me out of it, and if it had been so grand, she'd 
 wanted me there. Nix on the Orphings' Home talk. Lily 
 ain't going to be raised in droves, nor flocks, nor herds! 
 See? Lily's going to have a home of her own, and a man 
 to take care of her by herself." 
 
 Mickey backed away, swallowing a big lump in his 
 throat, and blinking down angry tears. 
 
 "Smorning," he said, "I asked God to help me, and for 
 a minute I was so glad, 'cause I thought He'd helped 
 by sending you, so you could tell me how to do; but if 
 God can't beat you, I can get along by myself." 
 
 "You can't take care of a girl by yourself," she insisted. 
 "The law won't allow you." 
 
 "Oh can't I?" scoffed Mickey. "Well you're mis- 
 taken, 'cause I am ! And getting along bully ! You ought 
 to seen her last night, and then this morning. Next time
 
 S. 0. S. 57 
 
 I yell for help, I won't ask to have anybody sent, I'll ask 
 Him to help me save our souls, myself. Ever see that big, 
 white, wonderful Jesus at the Cathedral door, ma'am, 
 holding the little child in His arms so loving? I don't 
 s'pose He stopped to ask whether it was a girl, or a boy, 
 'fore He took it up; He just opened his arms to the first 
 child that needed Him. And if I remember right, He didn't 
 say: 'Suffer little children to be sent to Orphings' Homes/ 
 Mammy never read it to me that way. It was suffer them 
 to come to 'Me,' and be took up, and held tender. See? 
 Nix on the Orphings' Home people. They ain't in my 
 class. Beaucheous lady, adoo! Farewell! I depart!" 
 
 Mickey wheeled, vanishing. It was a wonderful ex- 
 hibition of curves, leaps, and darts. He paused for breath 
 when he felt safe. 
 
 "So that's the dope!" he marvelled. "I can't take 
 care of a girl ? Going to take her away from me ? I'd like 
 to know winy ? Men all the time take care of women. 
 I see boys taking care of girls I know their mothers left 
 with them, every day I'd like to know why. Mother 
 said I was to take care of her. She said that's what men 
 were made/or. 'Cause he didnt take care of her, was why 
 she was glad my father was dead. I guess I know what 
 I'm doing! But I've learned something! Nix on the easy 
 talk after this; and telling anybody you meet all you 
 know. Shut mouth from now on. 'What's your name, 
 little boy?' 'Andrew Carnegie.' 'Where d'you live?' 
 'Castle on the Hudson!' A mouth just tight shut about 
 Lily, after this! And nix on the Swell Dames! Next one 
 can bust her crust for all I care! I won't touch her!"
 
 58 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 On the instant, precisely that thing occurred, at Mick- 
 ey's very feet. With his lips not yet closed, he knelt to 
 shove his papers under a woman's head, then went racing 
 up the stone steps she had rolled down, his quick eye catch- 
 ing and avoiding the bit of fruit on which she had slipped. 
 He returned in a second with help. As the porter lifted 
 the inert body, Mickey slid his hands under her head, and 
 advised: "Keep her straight!" Into one of the big hos- 
 pitals he helped carry a blue and white clad nurse, on and 
 on, up elevators and into a white porcelain room where 
 they laid her on a glass table. Mickey watched with 
 frightened eyes. Doctors and nurses came running. He 
 stood waiting for his papers. He was rather sick, yet he 
 remembered he had five there he must sell. 
 
 "Better clear out of here now!" suggested a surgeon. 
 
 "My papers!" said Mickey. "She fell right cross my 
 feet. I slid them under, to make her head more pillow- 
 like on the stones. Maybe I can sell some of them." 
 
 The surgeon motioned to a nurse at the door. 
 
 "Take this youngster to the office and pay him for the 
 papers he has spoiled," he ordered. 
 
 "Will she is she going to ?" wavered Mickey. 
 
 "I'm not sure," said the surgeon. "From the bleeding 
 probably concussion; but she will live. Do you know 
 how she came to fall?" 
 
 There was a smear of something on the steps she 
 didn't see," explained Mickey. 
 
 "Thank you! Go with the nurse," said the surgeon. 
 Then to an attendant: "Take Miss Alden's number, and 
 see to her case. She was going after something."
 
 S. O. S. 59 
 
 Mickey turned back. "Paper, maybe," he suggested, 
 pointing to her closed hand. The surgeon opened it and 
 found a nickel. He handed it to Mickey. "If you have 
 a clean one left, let this nurse take it to Miss Alden's 
 case, and say she has been assigned other duty. See to 
 sending a substitute at once." 
 
 Every paper proved to be marked. 
 
 " I can bring you a fresh one in a second, lady," offered 
 Mickey. "I got the money." 
 
 "All right," she said. "Wait with it in the office and 
 then I'll pay you." 
 
 "I'm sent for a paper. I'm to be let in as soon as I 
 get it," announced Mickey to the porter. "I ain't taking 
 chances of being turned down," he said to himself, as he 
 stopped a second to clean the step. 
 
 He returned and was waiting when the nurse came. 
 She was young and fair faced; her hair was golden, and as 
 she paid Mickey for his papers he wondered how soon he 
 could have Lily looking like her. He took one long survey 
 as he pocketed the money, thinking he would rush home at 
 once; but he wanted to fix in his mind how Lily must ap- 
 pear, to be right, for he thought a nurse in the hospital 
 would be right. 
 
 The nurse knew she was beautiful, and to her Mickey's 
 long look was tribute, male tribute; a small male indeed, 
 but such a winning one; so she took the occasion to be her 
 loveliest, and smile her most attractive smile. Mickey 
 surrendered. He thought she was like an angel, that 
 made him think of Heaven, Heaven made him think of 
 God, God made him think of his call for help that morning,
 
 60 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the call made him think of the answer, the beautiful woman 
 before him made him think that possibly she might be 
 the answer instead of the other one. He rather doubted it, 
 but it might be a chance. Mickey was alert for chances 
 for Peaches, so he smiled again, then he asked: "Are you 
 in such an awful hurry?" 
 
 "I think we owe you more than merely paying for your 
 papers," she said. "What is it?" 
 
 Again Mickey showed how long and how wide Lily was. 
 "And with hair like yours, and eyes and cheeks that would 
 be, if she had her chance, and nobody to give her that 
 chance but just me," he said. "Me and Lily are all each 
 other's got," he explained hastily. "We're home folks. 
 We're a family. We don't want no bunching in corps and 
 squads. We're nix on the Orphings' Home business; but 
 you must know, ma'am would you, oh would you tell me 
 just how I should be taking care of her? I'm doing every- 
 thing like my mother did to me; but I was well and strong. 
 Maybe Lily, being a girl, should have things different. 
 A-body so beautiful as you, would tell me, wouldn't 
 you?" 
 
 Then a miracle happened. The nurse, so clean she 
 smelled like a drug store, so lovely she shone as a sunrise, 
 laid an arm across Mickey's shoulders. "You come 
 with me," she said. She went to a little room, and all 
 alone she asked Mickey questions; with his eyes straight 
 on hers, he answered. She told him surely he could take 
 care of Lily. She explained how. She rang for a basket 
 and packed it full of things he must have, showing him 
 how to use them. She told him to come each Saturday
 
 S. O. S. '6i 
 
 at four o'clock, as she was going off duty, and tell her 
 how he was getting along. She gave him a thermometer, 
 and told him how to learn if the child had fever. She told 
 him about food, and she put in an ointment, instructing 
 him to rub the little back with it, so the bed would not be 
 so-tiresome. She showed him how to arrange the pillows; 
 when he left, the tears were rolling down Mickey's cheeks. 
 Both of them were so touched she laid her arm across his 
 shoulder again and went as far as the elevator, while a 
 passport to her at any time was in his pocket. 
 
 "I 'spect other folks tell you you are beautiful like 
 flowers, or music, or colours," said Mickey in farewell, 
 "but you look like a window in Heaven to me, and I 
 can see right through you to God and all the beautiful 
 angels; but what gets me is why the other one had to bust 
 her crust, to make you come true!" 
 
 The nurse was laughing and wiping her eyes at the same 
 time. Mickey gripped the basket until his hands were 
 stiff as he sped homeward at least two hours early an^ 
 happy about it. At the last grocery he remembered every 
 word and bought bread, milk, and fruit with care "for a 1 
 sick lady" he explained, so the grocer, who knew him y 
 used care. Triumphing Mickey climbed the stairs. He 
 paused a second in deep thought at the foot of the last 
 flight, then ascended whistling to let Peaches know that 
 he was coming, then on his threshold recited: 
 
 "Onc't a little kid named Lily, 
 
 Was so sweet she'd knock you silly, 
 Yellow hair in millying curls, 
 Beat a mile all other girls."
 
 62 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 She was on his bed; she was on his pillow; she had been 
 lonely; both arms were stretched toward him. 
 
 "Mickey, hurry!" she cried. "Mickey, lemme hold 
 you 'til I'm sure! Mickey, all day I didn't hardly durst 
 breathe, fear the door'd open an' they'd ' get' me. Oh 
 Mickey, you won't let them, will you?" 
 
 Mickey dropped his bundles and ran to the bed. This 
 time he did not shrink from her wavering clasp. It was 
 delight to come home to something alive, something that 
 belonged to him, something to share with, something to 
 work and think for, something that depended upon 
 him. 
 
 "Now nix on the scare talk," he comforted. "Forget 
 it! I've lived here three years alone, and not a single time 
 has anybody come to 'get' me, so they won't you. There's 
 only one thing can happen us. If I get sick or spend too 
 much on eating, and don't pay the rent, the man that owns 
 this building will fire us out. If we, if we" Mickey re- 
 peated impressively, "pay our rent regular, in advance, 
 nobody will ever come, not ever, so don't worry." 
 
 "Then what's all them bundles?" fretted Peaches. 
 "You ortn't a-got so much. You'll never get the next 
 rent paid! They'll 'get' me sure." 
 
 'Now throttle your engine," advised Mickey. "Stop 
 your car! Smash down on the brakes! They are things 
 t'.e city you reside in furnishes its taxpayers, or some- 
 thing like that. I pay my rent, so this is my share, and 
 it's things for you: to make you comfortable. Which are 
 you worst tiredest, or hungriest, or hottest?" 
 "I don't know," she said.
 
 S. O. S. 63 
 
 "Then I'll make a clean get-a-way," said Mickey, 
 "'Washing is cooling; and it freshens you up a lot." 
 
 So Mickey brought his basin again, bathing the tired 
 child gently as any woman could have done it. 
 
 "See what I got!" he cried as he opened bundles and 
 explained. "I'm going to see if you have fever." 
 
 Peaches rebelled at the thermometer. 
 
 "Now come on in," urged Mickey. "Slide straight 
 home to your base! If I'm going to take care of you, I'm 
 going to right. You can't lay here eating wrong things if 
 you have fever. No-sir-ee! You don't get to see in any 
 more of these bundles, nor any supper, nor talked to any 
 more, 'til you put this little glass thing under your tongue 
 and hold it there just this way" Mickey showed how 
 "three minutes by the clock, then I'll know what to do 
 with you next. I'll sit beside you, and hold your hands, 
 and tell you about the pretty lady that sent it." 
 
 Mickey wiped the thermometer on the sheet, then pre- 
 sented it. Peaches took one long look at him and opened 
 her lips. Mickey inserted the tube, set the clock in sight, 
 and taking both her hands he held them closely and talked 
 as fast as he could to keep her from using them. He had 
 not half finished the day when the time was up. If he 
 had done it right, Peaches had very little, if any, fever. 
 
 "Now turn over so I can rub your back to make it all 
 nice and rested," he said. "And then I'll get supper." 
 
 "I don't want my back rubbed," she protested. "My 
 back's all right now." 
 
 "Nothing to do with going to have it rubbed," said 
 Mickey. "It would be a silly girl who would have a back
 
 64 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 that wouldn't walk, and then wouldn't even try having it 
 doctored, so that it would get better. Just try Lily, and 
 if it doesn't help, I won't do it any more." 
 
 Peaches took another long look at Mickey, questioning 
 in nature, then turned her back to him. 
 
 "Gosh, kid! Your back looks just like horses' going to 
 the fertilizer plant," he said. 
 
 "Ain't that swearin's?" asked Peaches promptly. 
 
 "First-cousin," answered Mickey. "'Scuse me Lily. 
 If you could see your back, you'd 'scuse worse than 
 that." 
 
 " Feelin' ull do fer me," said Peaches. " I live wid it." 
 
 "Honest kid, I'm scared to touch you," he wavered. 
 
 "Aw g'wan!" said Peaches. "I ain't goin' screechin' 
 even if you hurt awful, an' you touch like a sparrer lookin' 
 for crumbs. Mickey, can we put out a few?" 
 
 "For the sparrows? Sure!" cried Mickey. "They're 
 the ones that God sees especial when they fall. Sure! Put 
 out some in a minute. Still now!" 
 
 Mickey poured on ointment, then began softly rubbing 
 it into the dreadful back. His face was drawn with 
 anxiety and filled with horror. He was afraid, but the 
 nurse said this he should do, while Mickey's first lesson 
 had been implicit obedience. So he rubbed gently as he 
 was fearful; when Peaches made no complaint, a little 
 stronger, and a little stronger, until he was tired. Then he 
 covered her, telling her to lie on it, and see how it felt. 
 Peaches looked at him with wondering eyes. 
 
 "Mickey," she said, "nothin' in all my life ever felt like 
 that, an' the nice cool washin* you do. Mickey-lovest,
 
 S. O. S. 65 
 
 nex* time I act mean 'bout what you want to do to me, slap 
 me good, an' hold me, an' go on an' do it!" 
 
 "Now nix on the beating," said Mickey. "I never had 
 any from my mother; but the kids who lost sales to me 
 took my nickels, and give me plenty. You ought to 
 know, Lily, that I'm trying hard as I can to make yoa 
 feel good; and to take care of you. What I want to do, I 
 think will make you better, so I'm just nachally going to do 
 it, 'cause you're mine, and you got to do what I say. But T 
 won't say anything that'll hurt you and make you worse.. 
 If you must take time to think new things over, I can wait;, 
 but I can't hit you Lily, you're too little, too sick, and I 
 like you too well. I wish you'd be a lady! I wish you 
 wouldn't ever be bad again!" 
 
 "Hoh I feel so good!" Peaches stretched like a kitten.. 
 "Mickey, bet I can walk 'fore long if you do that often I 
 Mickey, I just love you, an' love you. Mickey, say that at 
 the door over again." 
 
 "What?" queried Mickey. 
 
 "'Onc't a little kid named Lily,"' prompted Peaches. 
 
 Mickey laughed and obeyed. 
 
 Neatly he put away all that had been supplied him; be- 
 fore lighting the burner he gave Lily a drink of milk and 
 tried arranging both pillows to prop her up as he had been 
 shown. When the water boiled he dropped in two bouil- 
 lon cubes the nurse had given him, and set out some crack- 
 ers he had bought. He put the milk in two cups, and when 
 he cut the bread, he carefully collected every crumb, put- 
 ting it on the sill in the hope that a bird might come. The 
 thieving sparrows, used to watching windows and stealing;
 
 66 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 from stores set out to cool, were soon there. Peaches, to 
 whom anything with feathers was a bird, was filled with 
 joy. The odour of the broth was delicious. Mickey 
 danced, turned handsprings, and made the funniest re- 
 marks. Then he fixed the bowl on a paper, broke the 
 crackers in her broth, growing unspeakably happy at her 
 delight as she tasted it. 
 
 " Every Saturday you get a box of that from the Nurse 
 Lady," he boasted. "Pretty soon you'll be so fat I can't 
 carry you and so well you can have supper ready when I 
 
 come, then we can " Mickey stopped short. He had 
 
 started to say, "go to the parks," but if other ladies were 
 like the first one he had talked with, and if, as she said, the 
 law would not let him keep Peaches, he had better not try 
 to take her where people would see her. 
 
 "Can what?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Have the most fun!" explained Mickey. "We can sit 
 in the window to see the sky and birds; you can have the 
 shears and cut pictures from the papers I'll bring you, 
 while I'll read all my story books to you. I got three that 
 She gave me for Christmas presents, so I could learn to 
 read them " 
 
 "Mickey could I ever learn to read them?" 
 
 " Sure ! " cried Mickey. " Surest thing you know ! You 
 ire awful smart, Lily. You can learn in no time, and then 
 you can read while I'm gone, so it won't seem long. I'll 
 teach you. Mother taught me. I can read the papers I 
 sell. Honest I can. I often pick up torn ones I can bring 
 to you. It's lots of fun to know what's going on. I sell 
 many more by being able to tell what's in them than kid*
 
 S. O. S. 67 
 
 who can't read. I look all over the front page and make 
 up a spiel on the cars. I always fold my papers neat and 
 keep them clean. To-day it was like this: 'Here's your 
 nice, clean, morning paper! Sterilized! Deodorized' 
 Vulcanized!'" 
 
 "Mickey what does that mean?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Now you see how it comes in ! " said Mickey. " If you 
 could read the papers, you'd know. 'Sterilized,' is what 
 they do to the milk in hot weather to save the slum kids. 
 That's us, Lily. 'Deodorized,' is taking the bad smell out 
 of things. 'Vulcanized,' is something they do to stiffen 
 things. I guess it's what your back needs." 
 
 "Is all them things done to the papers?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Well, not all of them," laughed Mickey, "but they are 
 starting in on some of them, and all would be a good thing. 
 The other kids who can't read don't know those words, so 
 I study them out and use them; it catches the crowd for 
 they laugh, and then pay me for making them. See? 
 This world down on the streets is in such a mix a laugh is 
 the scarcest thing there is ; so they pay for it. No grouchy, 
 sad-cat-working-on-your-sympathy kid sells many. I can 
 beat one with a laugh every inning." 
 
 "What's 'inning,' Mickey?" came the next question. 
 
 "Playin' a side at a ball game. Now Ty Cobb 
 
 "Go on with what you say about the papers," inter- 
 rupted Peaches. 
 
 "All right!" said Mickey. '"Here's your nice, clean 
 morning paper! Sterilized! Deodorized! Vulcanized! 
 I like to sell them. You like to buy them! Sometimes I 
 sell them! Sometimes I don't ! Latest war news! Japan
 
 68 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 takes England! England takes France! France takes 
 Germany! Germany takes Belgium! Belgium takes the 
 cake! Here's your paper! Nice clean paper! Rush this 
 way! Change your change for a paper! Yes, I like to 
 
 sell them ' and on and on that way all day, 'til they're 
 
 gone and every one I pick up and smooth out is gone, and 
 if they're torn and dirty, I carry them back on the cars 
 and sell them for pennies to the poor folks walking 
 home." 
 
 "Mickey, will we be slum kids always?" she asked. 
 
 "Not on your tin type!" cried Mickey. 
 
 "If this is slum kids, I like it!" protested Peaches. 
 
 "Well, Sunrise Alley ain't so slummy as where you was, 
 Lily," explained the boy. 
 
 "This is grand," said Peaches. "Fine an' grand! No 
 lady needn't have better!" 
 
 "She wouldn't say so," said Mickey. "But Lily, you 
 got something most of the millyingaire ladies hasn't." 
 
 "What Mickey?" she asked interestedly. 
 
 "One man all to yourself, who will do what you want, if 
 you ask pretty, and he ain't going to drag you 'round and 
 make you do things you don't like to, and hit you, and 
 swear at you, and get drunk. Gee, I bet the worst you 
 ever had didn't hurt more than I've seen some of the swell 
 dames hurt sometimes. It'd make you sick Lily." 
 
 "I guess 'at it would," said the girl, "'cause granny told 
 me the same thing. Lots of times she said 'at she couldn't 
 see so much in bein' rich if you had to be treated like she 
 saw rich ladies. She said all they got out of it was nice 
 dresses an' struttin* when their men wasn't 'round; nelse
 
 S. O. S. 69 
 
 the money was theirn, an' nen they made the men pay.. 
 She said it was 'bout half and half." 
 
 "So 'tis!" cried Mickey. "Tell you Lily, don't let's 
 ever be rich! Let's just have enough." 
 
 "Mickey, what is 'enough?'" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Why plenty, but not too much!" explained Mickey 
 judicially. "Not enough to fight over! Just enough to 
 be comfortable." 
 
 "Mickey., I'm comf'rable as nangel now." 
 
 "Gee, I'm glad, Lily," said Mickey in deep satisfaction. 
 "Maybe He heard my S. O. S. after all, and you just being 
 comfortable is the answer."
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 
 
 OUGLAS," called Leslie over the telephone, "I 
 have developed nerves." 
 "Why?" inquired he. 
 
 "Dad has just come in with a pair of waist-high boots, 
 and a scalping knife, I think," answered Leslie. "Are you 
 going to bring a blanket and a war bonnet?" 
 
 "The blanket, I can; the bonnet, I might," said Douglas. 
 
 "How early will you be ready?" she asked. 
 
 "Whenever you say," he replied. 
 
 " Five ? " she queried. 
 
 "Very well!" he answered. "And Leslie, I would sug- 
 gest a sweater, short stout skirts, and heavy gloves. Do 
 you know if you are susceptible to poison vines?" 
 
 "I have handled anything wild as I pleased all my life," 
 she said. "I am sure there is no danger from that source; 
 but Douglas, did you ever hear of, or see, a massasauga?" 
 
 "You are perfectly safe on that score," he said. "I am 
 going along especially to take care of you." 
 
 "All right, then I won't be afraid of snakes," she 
 said. 
 
 "I have waders, too," he said, "and I'm going into the 
 swamp with you. Wherever you wish to go, I will pre- 
 cede you and test the footing." 
 
 70
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 71 
 
 "Very well! I have lingered on the borders long enough. 
 To-morrow will be my initiation. By night I'll have 
 learned the state of my artistic ability with natural re- 
 sources, and I'll know whether the heart of the swamp is 
 the loveliest sight I ever have seen, and I will have proved 
 how I 'line up' with a squaw-woman." 
 
 "Leslie, I'm now reading a most interesting human doc- 
 ument," said Douglas, "and in it I have reached the place 
 where Indians in the heart of terrific winter killed and 
 heaped up a pile of deer in early day in Minnesota, then 
 went to camp rejoicing, while their squaws were left to walk 
 twenty-eight miles and each carry back on her shoulder a 
 deer frozen stiff. Leslie, you don't line up! You are not 
 expected to." 
 
 "Do you believe that, Douglas?" asked the girl. 
 
 "It's history dear, not fiction," he answered. 
 
 "Douglas!" she warned. 
 
 "Leslie, I beg your pardon! That was a slip!" cried 
 he. 
 
 "Oh! "she breathed. 
 
 "Leslie, will you do something for me?" he ques- 
 tioned. 
 
 "What? "she retorted. 
 
 "Listen with one ear, stop the other, and tell me what 
 you hear," he ordered. 
 
 "Yes," she said. 
 
 "Did you hear, Leslie?" he asked anxiously. 
 
 "I. heard something, I don't know what," she an- 
 swered. 
 
 "Can you describe it, Leslie?"
 
 72 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Just a rushing, beating sound! What i$ it Douglas?" 
 
 "My heart, Leslie, sending to you each throbbing 
 stroke of my manhood pouring out its love for you." 
 
 "Oh-h-h!" cried the astonished girl. 
 
 "Will you listen again, Leslie?" begged the man. 
 
 "'No!" she said. 
 
 *'You don't want to hear what my heart has to say to 
 you?" he asked. 
 
 "Not over a wire! Not so far away!" she panted. 
 
 "Then I'll shorten the distance. I'm coming, Leslie!" 
 
 "What shall I do?" she gasped. She stared around 
 her, trying to decide whether she should follow her im- 
 pulse to hide, when her father entered the room. 
 
 "Daddy," she cried, "if you want to be nice to me, go 
 away a little while. Go somewhere a few minutes and 
 .stay until I call you." 
 /'Leslie, what's the matter?" he asked. 
 
 "Tve been talking to Douglas, and Daddy, he's coming 
 like a charging Highland trooper. Daddy, I heard him 
 drop the receiver and start. Please, please go away a 
 minute. Even the dearest father in the world can't do 
 anything now! We must settle this ourselves." 
 
 "I'm not to be allowed a word?" he protested. 
 
 *' Daddy, you've had two years ! If you know anything 
 to say against Douglas and haven't said it in all that time, 
 why should you begin now? You couldn't help knowing! 
 Daddy, do go! There he is! I hear him!" 
 
 Mr. Winton took his daughter in his arms, kissed her 
 tenderly, and left the room. A second later Douglas 
 Bruce entered. Rushing to Leslie he caught her to his
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 73 
 
 breast roughly, while with a strong hand he pressed her 
 ear against his heart. 
 
 "Now you listen, my girl!" he cried. "You listen at 
 close range." 
 
 Leslie remained quiet a long second. Then she lifted 
 her face, adorable, misty eyed and tenderly smiling. 
 
 "Douglas, I never listened to heart before! How do I 
 know what it is saying? I can't tell whether it is talking 
 about me or protesting against the way you've been rush- 
 ing around!" 
 
 "No levity, my lady," he said grimly. "This is serious 
 business. You listen while I interpret. I love you, 
 Leslie! Every beat, every stroke, love for you. I claim 
 you! My mate! My wife! I want you!" 
 
 He held her from him, looking into her eyes. 
 
 "Now Leslie, the answer!" he cried. "May I listen to 
 it or will you tell me? Is there any answer? What is 
 your heart saying? May I hear or will you tell me?" 
 
 "I want to tell you!" said the girl. "I love you, 
 Douglas! Every beat, every stroke, love for you." 
 
 Early the next morning they inspected their equipment 
 carefully, then drove north to the tamarack swamp, where 
 they arranged that Leslie and Douglas were to hunt mate- 
 rial, while Mr. Winton and the driver went to the nearest 
 Indian settlement to find the squaw who had made the 
 other basket, and bring her to the swamp. 
 
 If you have experienced the same emotions you will 
 know how Douglas and Leslie felt when hand in hand they 
 entered the swamp on a perfect morning in late May. If 
 you have not, mere words are inadequate.
 
 74 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Through fern and brake head high, through sumac, wil- 
 low, elder, buttonbush, gold-yellow and blood-red osiers, 
 past northern holly, over spongy moss carpet of palest 
 silvery green up-piled for ages, over red-veined pitcher 
 plants spilling their fullness, among scraggy, odorous 
 tamaracks, beneath which cranberries and rosemary were 
 blooming; through ethereal pale mists of dawn, in their 
 ears lark songs of morning from the fields, hermit thrushes 
 in the swamp, bell birds tolling molten notes, in a minor 
 strain a swelling chorus of sparrows, titmice, warblers, 
 vireos, went two strong, healthy young people newly 
 promised for "better or worse." They could only 
 look, stammer, flush, and utter broken exclamations, 
 all about "better." They could not remotely con- 
 ceive that life might serve them the cruel trick of 
 "worse." 
 
 Leslie sank to her knees. Douglas lifted her up, set her 
 on the firmest location he could see, adoring her with 
 his eyes and reverent touch. Since that first rough grasp 
 as he drew her to him, Leslie had felt positively fragile in 
 his hands. She smiled at him her most beautiful smile 
 when wide-eyed with emotion. 
 
 "Douglas, why just now, when you've waited two 
 years?" she asked. 
 
 "Wanted a degree of success to offer," he answered. 
 
 Leslie disdained the need for success. 
 
 "Wanted you to have time to know me as completely as 
 possible." 
 
 Leslie intimated that she could learn faster. 
 
 "Wanted to have the acknowledged right to put my
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 75 
 
 body between yours and any danger this swamp might 
 have to offer to-day." 
 
 "Exactly what I thought!" cried she. 
 
 "Wise girl," commented the man. 
 
 "Douglas, I must hurry!" said Leslie. "It may take 
 a long time to find the flowers I want, while I've no idea 
 what I shall do for a basket. I saw osiers yellow and red 
 in quantities, but where are the orchids?" 
 
 "We must make our way farther in and search," he said. 
 
 "Douglas, listen!" breathed Leslie. 
 
 "I hear exquisite music," he answered. 
 
 "But don't you recognize it?" she cried. 
 
 "It does seem familiar, but I am not sufficiently schooled 
 in music " 
 
 The girl began softly to whistle. 
 
 "By Jove!" cried the .man. "What is that Leslie?" 
 
 "Di Provenza, from Traviata," she answered. "But 
 I must stop listening for birds Douglas, when I can scarcely 
 watch for flowers or vines. I have to keep all the time 
 looking to make sure that you are really my man." 
 
 "And I, that you are my woman. Leslie, that expres- 
 sion and this location, the fact that you are in competition 
 with a squaw and the Indian talk we have indulged in 
 lately, all conspire to remind me that a few days ago, while 
 I was still a 'searcher' myself, I read a poem called 'Song 
 of the Search' that was the biggest thing of its kind that 
 I have yet found in our language. It was so great that 
 I reread it until I am sure I can do it justice. Listen my 
 * Bearer of Morning,' my ' Bringer of Song ' 
 
 Douglas stood straight as the tamaracks, his feet sinking
 
 76 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 in "the little moss," while from his heart he quoted Con- 
 stance Skinner's wonderful poem: 
 
 "'I descend through the forest alone. 
 Rose-flushed are the willows, stark and a-quiver, 
 In the warm sudden grasp of Spring; 
 
 Like a woman when her lover has suddenly, swiftly taken her. 
 I hear the secret rustle of little leaves, 
 Waiting to be born. 
 The air is a wind of love 
 From the wings of eagles mating 
 
 eagles, my sky is dark with your wings! 
 The hills and the waters pity me, 
 
 The pine-trees reproach me. 
 
 The little moss whispers under my feet, 
 
 "Son of Earth, Brother, 
 
 Why comest thou hither alone ?" 
 
 Oh, the wolf has his mate on the mountain 
 
 Where art thou, Spring-daughter? 
 
 1 tremble with love as reeds by the river, 
 I burn as the dusk in the red-tented west, 
 I call thee aloud as the deer calls the doe, 
 I await thee as hills wait the morning, 
 
 I desire thee as eagles the storm; 
 
 I yearn to thy breast as night to the sea, 
 
 I claim thee as the silence claims the stars. 
 
 O Earth, Earth, great Earth, 
 
 Mate of God and mother of me, 
 
 Say, where is she, the Bearer of Morning, 
 
 My Bringer of Song? 
 
 Love in me waits to be born, 
 
 Where is She, the Woman?' 
 
 "'Where is she, the Woman? 1 * The answer is 'Here!' 
 'Bearer of Morning/ 'Bringer of Song,' I adore you!" 
 " Oh Douglas, how beautiful ! " cried Leslie. " My Man,
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 77 
 
 can we think of anything save ourselves to-day? Can we 
 make that basket?" 
 
 "It would be a bad start to give up our first undertaking 
 together," he said. 
 
 "Of course!" she cried. "We must! We simply 
 must find things. Father may call any minute. Let go 
 my hand and follow behind me. Keep close, Douglas!" 
 
 "I should go before to clear the way," he suggested. 
 
 "No, I may miss rare flowers if you do," she objected. 
 
 "Go slowly, so I can watch before and overhead." 
 
 "Yes!" she answered. "There! There, Douglas!" 
 
 "Ah! There they are!" he exulted. 
 
 "But I can't take them!" she protested. 
 
 "Only a few, Leslie. Look before you ! See how many 
 there are!" he said. 
 
 "Douglas, could there be more wonderful flowers than 
 the moccasins and slippers?" she asked. 
 
 "Scarcely more wonderful; there might be more delicate 
 and lovely!" 
 
 "Farther! Let us go farther!" she urged. 
 
 Her cry closed the man's arms around^her. 
 
 Then there was a long silence during which they stood 
 on the edge of a small open space breathlessly worshipping, 
 but it was the Almighty they were now adoring. Here 
 the moss lay in a flat carpet, tinted deeper green. Water 
 willow rolled its ragged reddish-tan hoops, with swelling 
 bloom and leaf buds. Overflowing pitcher plants grew in 
 irregular beds, on slender stems, lifting high their flat 
 buds. But scattered in groups here and there, sometimes 
 with massed sim^ar colours, sometimes in clumps and
 
 78 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 variegated patches, stood the rare, early fringed orchis, 
 some almost white, others pale lavender and again the 
 deeper colour of the moccasins; while everywhere on stems, 
 some a foot high, nodded the exquisite lavender and white 
 showy orchis. 
 
 "Count!" he commanded. 
 
 Leslie pointed a slender finger indicating each as she 
 spoke: "One, two, three thirty-two, under the sweep of 
 your arms, Douglas! And more! More by the hundred! 
 Surely if we are careful not to kill them, the Lord won't 
 mind if we take out a few for people to see, will He?" 
 
 "He must have made them to be seen! " said Douglas. 
 
 "And worshipped!" cried the girl. 
 
 "Douglas, why didn't the squaw ?" asked 
 
 Leslie. 
 
 ."Maybe she didn't come this far," he said. "Perhaps 
 she knows by experience that these are too fragile to re- 
 move. You may not be able to handle them, Leslie." 
 
 "I'm going to try," she said. "But first I must make 
 my basket. We'll go back to the osiers to weave it and 
 then come here to fill it. Oh Douglas! Did you ever see 
 such flower perfection in all your life ? " 
 
 "Only in books! In my home country applied botany 
 is a part of every man's education. I never have seen 
 ragged or fringed orchids growing before. I have read of 
 many fruitless searches for the white ones." 
 
 'So have I. They seem to be the rarest. Douglas, 
 look there!" 
 
 There" was a group of purple-lavender, white-lipped 
 bloom, made by years of spreading from one root, until
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 79 
 
 above the rank moss and beneath the dark tamarack 
 branch the picture appeared inconceivably delicate. 
 "Yes! The most exquisite flowers I ever have seen!" 
 "And there Douglas!" She pointed to another group. 
 
 " Tust the shade of the lavender on the toe of the moccasin 
 a \ 
 
 and in a great ragged mass ! Would any one believe it ?" 
 
 "Not without seeing it," he said emphatically. 
 
 "And there Douglas! Exactly the colour of the moc- 
 casins see that cluster! There are no words Douglas!" 
 
 "Shall you go farther?" he asked. 
 
 "No," she answered. "I'm going back to weave my 
 basket. There is nothing to surpass the orchids in rarity 
 and wondrous beauty." 
 
 "Good!" he cried. "I'll go ahead and you follow." 
 
 So they returned to the osiers. Leslie pondered deeply 
 a few seconds, then resolutely putting Douglas aside, 
 she began cutting armloads of pale yellow osiers. Finding 
 a suitable place to work, she swiftly and deftly selected 
 perfect, straight evenly coloured ones, cutting them the 
 same length, then binding the tip ends firmly with raffia 
 she had brought to substitute for grass. Then with fine 
 slips she began weaving, gradually spreading the twigs 
 while inwardly giving thanks for the lessons she had taken 
 in basketry. At last she held up a big, pointed, yellow 
 basket. 
 
 "Ready! "she said. 
 
 "Beautiful!" cried Douglas. 
 
 Leslie carefully lined the basket with moss in which the 
 flowers grew, working the heads between the open spaces 
 she had left. She bent three twigs, dividing her basket
 
 80 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 top in exact thirds. One of these she filled with the whit- 
 est, one with stronger, and one with the deepest lavender, 
 placing the tallest plants in the centre so that the out- 
 side ones would show completely. Then she lifted by 
 the root exquisite showy orchis, lavender-hooded, white- 
 lipped, the tiniest plants she could select and set them 
 around the edge. She bedded the moss-wrapped roots 
 in the basket and began bordering the rim and entwining 
 the handle with a delicate vine. She looked up at Doug- 
 las, her face thrilled with triumph, flushed with exertion, 
 her eyes humid with feeling, while he gazed at her stirred 
 to the depth of his heart with sympathy and the wonder of 
 possession. 
 
 "Bearer of Morning,' you win!" he cried triumphantly. 
 "There is no use going farther. Let me carry that to your 
 father, and he too will say so." 
 
 "I have a reason for working out our plan," she said. 
 
 "Yes? May I know?" he asked. 
 
 "Surely!" she answered. "You remember what you 
 told me about the Minturns. I can't live in a city and not 
 have my feelings harrowed every day, and while I'd like to 
 change everything wrong, I know I can't all of it, so what 
 I can't cope with must be put aside; but this refuses, it is 
 insistent. When you really think of it, that is so dreadful, 
 Douglas. If they once felt what we do now, could it all 
 go? There must be something left! You mention him 
 oftener than any other one man, so you must admire him 
 deeply; I know her as well as any woman I meet in so- 
 ciety, better than most; I had thought of asking them to 
 be the judges. She is interested in music and art; it
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 81 
 
 would please her and be perfectly natural for me to ask 
 her; you are on intimate terms with him from your offices 
 being opposite; there could be no suspicion of any ulterior 
 motive in having them. I don't know that it would 
 accomplish anything, but it would let them know, to begin 
 with, that we consider them friends; so it would be natural 
 for them to come with us; if we can't manage more than 
 that to-day, it will give us ground to try again." 
 
 "Splendid!" he said. "A splendid plan! It would let 
 them see that at least our part of the world thinks of them 
 together, and expects them to be friends. Splendid!" 
 
 "I have finished," said Leslie. 
 
 "I quite agree," answered Douglas. "No one could do 
 better. That is the ultimate beauty of the swamp made 
 manifest. There is the horn! Your father is waiting." 
 
 A surprise was also waiting. Mr. Winton had not 
 only found the squaw who brought the first basket, but he 
 had made her understand so thoroughly what was wanted 
 that she had come with him, while at his suggestion she had 
 replaced the moccasin basket as exactly as she could and 
 also made an effort at decoration. She was smiling wood- 
 enly when Leslie and Douglas approached, but as Leslie's 
 father glimpsed and cried out over her basket, the squaw 
 frowned, drawing back. 
 
 "Where you find 'em?" she demanded. 
 
 "In the swamp!" Leslie nodded backward. 
 
 The squaw grunted disapprovingly. "Lowry no buy 
 'em! Sell slipper! Sell moccasin! No sell weed!" 
 
 Leslie looked with shining eyes at her father. 
 
 "That lies with Lowry," he said. 'Til drive you there
 
 82 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and bring you back, and you'll have the ride and the money 
 for your basket. That's all that concerns you. We won't 
 come here to make any more." 
 
 The squaw smiled again, so they started to the city. 
 They drove straight to the Winton residence for the slip- 
 pers. While Mr. Winton and the squaw went to take the 
 baskets to Lowry's and leave Douglas at his office, Leslie 
 in his car went to Mrs. Minturn's. 
 
 "Don't think I'm crazy," laughed Leslie, as Mrs. Min- 
 turn came down to meet her. "I want to use your ex- 
 quisite taste and art instinct a few minutes. Please do 
 come with me. We've a question up. You know the 
 wonderful stuff the Indians bring down from the swamps 
 to sell on the streets and to the florists ? " 
 
 " Indeed yes ! I often buy of them in the spring. I love 
 the wild white violets especially. What is it you want?" 
 
 "Why you see," said Leslie, looking eagerly at Mrs. 
 Minturn, "you see there are three flower baskets at 
 Lowry's. Douglas Bruce is going to buy me the one I 
 want most for a present, to celebrate a very important 
 occasion, and I can't tell which is most artistic. I want 
 you to decide. Your judgment is so unfailing. Will you 
 come? Only a little spin!" 
 
 "Leslie, you aren't by any chance asking me to select 
 your betrothal gift, are you?" 
 
 Leslie's face was rose-flushed smiling wonderment. 
 She had hastily slipped off her swamp costume. Joy that 
 seemed as if it must be imperishable shone on her brightly 
 illumined face. With tightly closed, smile-curved lips she 
 vigorously nodded. The elder woman bent to kiss her.
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 83 
 
 "Of course I'll come!" she laughed. "I feel thrilled, 
 and flattered. And I congratulate you sincerely. Bruce 
 is a fine man. He'll make a big fortune soon." 
 
 "Oh I hope not!" said Leslie. 
 
 "Are you crazy?" demanded Mrs. Minturn. "You 
 said you didn't want me to think you so! " 
 
 "You see," said Leslie, "Mr. Bruce has a living income; 
 so have I, from my mother. Fortunes seem to me to 
 work more trouble than they do good. I believe poor 
 folks are happiest, they get most out of life, and after all 
 what gives deep, heart-felt joy, is the thing to live for, 
 isn't it? But we must hurry. Mr. Lowry didn't promise 
 to hold the flowers long." 
 
 "I'll be ready in a minute, but I see where Douglas 
 Bruce is giving you wrong ideas," said Mrs. Minturn. 
 "He needs a good talking to. Money is the only thing 
 worth while, and the comfort and the pleasure it brings. 
 Without it you are crippled, handicapped, a slave crawling 
 while others step over you. I'll convince him! Back in 
 a minute." 
 
 When Mrs. Minturn returned she was in a delightful 
 mood, her face eager, her dress beautiful. Leslie won- 
 dered if this woman ever had known a care, then remem- 
 bered that not long before she had lost a little daughter. 
 Leslie explained as they went swiftly through the streets. 
 
 "You won't mind waiting only a second until I run up 
 to Mr. Bruce's offices?" she asked. 
 
 He was ready, so together they stopped at Mr. Min- 
 turn's door. Douglas whispered: "Watch the office boy. 
 He is Minturn's Little Brother I told you about "
 
 84 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Leslie nodded and entered gaily. 
 
 "Please ask Mr. Minturn if he will see Miss Winton and 
 Mr. Douglas Bruce a minuter" she said. 
 
 An alert, bright-faced lad bowed politely, laid aside a 
 book and entered the inner office. 
 
 "Now let me!" said Leslie. "Good May, Mr. Min- 
 turn!" she cried. "Positively enchanting! Take that 
 forbidding look off your face. Come for a few minutes 
 Maying! It will do you much good, and me more. All 
 my friends are pleasuring me to-day. So I want as good a 
 friend of Mr. Bruce as you, to be in something we have 
 planned. You just must!" 
 
 "Has something delightful happened?" asked Mr. Min- 
 turn, retaining the hand Leslie offered him as he turned to 
 Douglas Bruce. 
 
 "You must ask Miss Winton," he said. 
 
 Mr. Minturn's eyes questioned her sparkling face, while 
 again with closed lips she nodded. "My most earnest 
 congratulations to each of you. May life grant you even 
 more than you hope for, and from your faces, that is no 
 small wish to make for you. Surely I'll come! What is 
 it you have planned?" 
 
 "Something lovely!" said Leslie. "At Lowry's are 
 three flower baskets that are rather bewildering. I am 
 to have one for my betrothal gift, but I can't decide. 
 I appealed to Mrs. Minturn to help me, and she agreed; 
 she is waiting below. Mr. Bruce named you for him; so 
 you two and Mr. Lowry are to choose the most artistic 
 basket for me, then if I don't agree, I needn't take it, but 
 I want to see what you think. You'll come of course?"
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 85 
 
 Mr. Minturn's face darkened at the mention of his wife, 
 while he hesitated and looked penetratingly at Leslie. 
 She was guileless, charming, and eager. 
 
 "Very well," Mr. Minturn said gravely. "I'm sur- 
 prised, but also pleased. Beautiful young ladies have not 
 appealed to me so often of late that I can afford to miss the 
 chance of humouring the most charming of her sex." 
 
 " How lovely ! " laughed Leslie. " Douglas, did you ever 
 know Mr. Minturn could flatter like that ? It's most en- 
 joyable ! I shall insist on more of it, at every opportunity ! 
 Really, Mr. Minturn, society has missed you of late, and 
 it is our loss. We need men who are worth while." 
 
 "Now it is you who flatter," smiled Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "See my captive!" cried Leslie, as she emerged from the 
 building and crossed the walk to the car. "Mr. Bruce and 
 Mr. Minturn are great friends, so as we passed his door we 
 brought him along by force." 
 
 "It certainly would require that to bring him anywhere 
 in my company," said Mrs. Minturn coldly. 
 
 The shock of the cruelty of the remark closed Douglas' 
 lips, but it was Leslie's day to bubble, so she resolutely set 
 herself to heal and cover the hurt. 
 
 "I think business is a perfect bugbear," she said as she 
 entered the car. "I'm going to have a pre-nuptial agree- 
 ment as to just how far work may trespass on Douglas* 
 time, and how much belongs to me. I think it can be ar- 
 ranged. Daddy and I always have had lovely times to- 
 gether, and I would call him successful. Wouldn't 
 
 you?' 
 
 'A fine business man!' said Mr Minturn heartily:
 
 86 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "You could have had much greater advantages if he had 
 made more money," said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "The advantage of more money yes," retorted Leslie 
 quickly, "but would the money have been of more advan- 
 tage to me than the benefits of his society and his personal 
 hand in my rearing? I think not! I prefer my Daddy!" 
 
 "When you take your place in society, as the mistress of 
 a home, you will find that millions will not be too much," 
 said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "If I had millions, I'd give most of them away, and 
 just go on living about as I do now with Daddy," said 
 Leslie. 
 
 "Leslie, where did you get bitten with this awful, com- 
 mon what kind of an idea shall I call it? You haven't 
 imbibed socialistic tendencies have you?" 
 
 "Haven't a smattering of what they mean!" laughed 
 Leslie. "The 'istics' scare me completely. Just social 
 ideas are all I have; thinking home better than any other 
 place on earth, the way you can afford to have it. Merely 
 being human, kind and interested in what my men are 
 doing and enjoying, and helping any one who crosses my 
 path and seems to need me. Oh, I get such joy, such de- 
 licious joy from life." 
 
 "If I were undertaking wild-eyed reform, I'd sell my 
 car and walk, and do settlement work," said Mrs. Minturn 
 scornfully. 
 
 Then Leslie surprised all of them. She leaned forward, 
 looked beamingly into the elder woman's face and cried 
 enthusiastically: "I am positive you'd be stronger, and 
 much happier if you would ! You know there is no greater
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 87 
 
 fun than going to the end of the car line and then walking 
 miles into the country, especially now in bloom-time. You 
 see sights no painter ever transferred even a good imita- 
 tion of to canvas; you hear music I wish every music 
 lover with your trained ear could have spent an hour in 
 that swamp this morning. You'd soon know where Verdi 
 and Strauss found some of their loveliest themes, and 
 where Beethoven got the bird notes for the brook scene of 
 the Pastoral Symphony. Think how interested you'd be 
 in a yellow and black bird singing the Spinning Song from 
 Martha, while you couldn't accuse the bird of having 
 stolen it from Flotow, could you? Surely the bird holds 
 right of priority ! " 
 
 "If you weren't a little fool and talking purposely to 
 irritate me, you'd almost cause me to ask if you seriously 
 mean that?" said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Why," laughed Leslie, determined not to become pro- 
 voked on this her great day, "that is a matter you can test 
 for yourself. If you haven't a score of Martha, get one and 
 I'll take you where you can hear a bird sing that strain, 
 then you may judge for yourself." 
 
 " I don't believe it! " said Mrs. Minturn tersely, "but if 
 it were true, that would be the most wonderful experience 
 I ever had in my life." 
 
 "And it would cost you only ten cents," scored Leslie. 
 "You needn't ride beyond the end of the car line for that, 
 while a woman who can dance all night surely could walk 
 far enough, to reach any old orchard. That's what I am 
 trying to tell you. Money in large quantities isn't neces- 
 sary to provide the most interesting things in the world,
 
 88 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 while millions don't bring happiness. I can find more in 
 what you would class almost poverty." 
 
 "Why don't you try it?" suggested Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "But I have!" said Leslie. "And I enjoy it! I could 
 go with a man I love as I do Daddy, and make a home, and 
 get joy I never have found in society, from just what we 
 two could do with our own hands in the woods. I don't 
 like a city. If Daddy's business didn't keep him here, I 
 would be in the country this minute. Look at us poor 
 souls trying to find pleasure in a basket from the swamp, 
 when we might have the whole swamp. I'd be happy to 
 live at its door. Now try a basket full of it. There are 
 three. You are to examine each of them carefully, then 
 write on a slip of paper which you think the most artistic. 
 You are not to say things that will influence each other's 
 decisions, or Mr. Lowry's. I want a straight opinion from 
 each of you." 
 
 They entered the florist's, and on a glass table faced the 
 orchids, the slippers, the fringed basket, and the moc- 
 casins. Mr. Winton and the squaw were waiting, while 
 the florist was smiling in gratification, but the Minturns 
 went to the flowers without a word. They simply stood 
 and looked. Each of the baskets was in perfect condition. 
 The flowers were as fresh as at home in the swamp. Each 
 was a thing of wondrous beauty. Each deserved the 
 mute tribute it was exacting. Mr. Minturn studied them 
 with gradually darkening face. Mrs. Minturn repeatedly 
 opened her lips as if she would speak, but did not. She 
 stepped closer and gently turned the flowers and lightly 
 touched the petals.
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 89 
 
 "Beautiful!" she said at last. "Beautiful!" 
 
 Another long silence. 
 
 Then: "Honestly Leslie, did you hear a bird sing that 
 strain from Martha ? " 
 
 "Yes!" said Leslie, "I did. And if you will go with me 
 to the swamp where those flowers came from, you shall 
 hear one sing a strain that will instantly remind you of the 
 opening chorus, while another renders Di Provenza II Mar 
 from Traviata." 
 
 The lady turned again to the flowers. She was thinking 
 something deep and absorbing, but no one could have 
 guessed exactly what it might be. Finally: "I have de- 
 cided," she said. "Shall we number these one, two, and 
 three, and so indicate them?" 
 
 "Yes," said Leslie a little breathlessly. 
 
 "Put your initials to the slips and I'll read them," 
 offered Douglas. Then he smilingly read aloud: "Mr. 
 Lowry, one. Mrs. Minturn, two. Mr. Minturn, 
 three!" 
 
 "I cast the deciding vote," cried Leslie. "One!" 
 
 The squaw seemed to think of a war-whoop, but de- 
 cided against it. 
 
 "Now be good enough to state your reasons," said Mr. 
 Winton. "Why do you prefer the slipper basket, Mr, 
 Lowry?" 
 
 "It satisfies my sense of the artistic." 
 
 "Why the fringed basket, Mrs. Minturn?" 
 
 "Because it contains daintier, more wonderful flowers 
 than the others, and is by far the most pleasing pro- 
 duction."
 
 90 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Now Minturn, your turn. Why do you like the moc- 
 casin basket?" 
 
 "It makes the deepest appeal to me," he answered. 
 
 " But why ? " persisted Mr. Winton. 
 
 "If you will have it the moccasins are the colour I once 
 loved on the face of my little daughter." 
 
 "Now Leslie!" said Mr. Winton hurriedly as he noted 
 Mrs. Minturn's displeased look. 
 
 "Must I tell?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes," said her father. 
 
 "Douglas selected it for me, so I like it best." 
 
 "But Leslie!" cried Douglas, "there were only two 
 baskets when I favoured that. Had the fringed orchids 
 been here then, I most certainly should have chosen them. 
 I think yours far the most exquisite! I claim it now. Will 
 you give it to me ? " 
 
 "Surely! I'd love to," laughed the girl. 
 
 "You have done your most exquisite work on the fringed 
 basket," said Mrs. Minturn to the squaw. 
 
 "No make!" said she promptly, pointing to Leslie. 
 
 "Leslie Winton, did you go to the swamp to make that 
 basket?" demanded _Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Yes," answered Leslie. 
 
 "Did you make all of them?" 
 
 "Only that one," replied Leslie. 
 
 "Why?" marvelled the lady. 
 
 "To see if I could go to the tamarack swamp and bring 
 from it with the same tools and material, a more artistic 
 production than an Indian woman." 
 
 "Well, you have!" conceded Mrs. Minturn.
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 91 
 
 "The majority is against me," said Leslie. 
 
 "Majorities mean masses, and masses are notoriously 
 insane!" said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "But this is a small, select majority," said Leslie. 
 
 "Craziest of all," said Mrs. Minturn decidedly. "If 
 you have finished with us, I want to thank you for the 
 pleasure of seeing these, and Leslie, some day I really think 
 I shall try that bird music. The idea interests me more 
 than anything I ever heard of. If it were true, it would be 
 wonderful, a new experience!" 
 
 "If you want to hear for yourself, make it soon, because 
 now is nesting time; not again until next spring will the 
 music be so entrancing. I can go any day." 
 
 "I'll look over my engagements and call you. If one 
 ever had a minute to spare!" 
 
 "Another of the joys of wealth!" said Leslie. "Only 
 the poor can afford to 'loaf and invite their souls.' The 
 flowers you will see will delight your eyes, quite as much as 
 the music your ears." 
 
 "I doubt your logic, but I'll try the birds. Are you 
 coming Mr. Minturn ? " 
 
 "Not unless you especially wish me. Are these for 
 sale?" he asked, picking up the moccasins. 
 
 "Only those," replied the florist. 
 
 "Send your bill," he said, turning with the basket. 
 
 "How shining a thing is consistency!" sneered his wife. 
 "You condemn the riches you never have been able to 
 amass, but at the same time spend like a millionaire." 
 
 "I never said I was not able to gain millions," replied 
 Mr. Minturn coldly. "I have had frequent opportuni-
 
 92 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 ties! I merely refused them, because I did not consider 
 them legitimate. As for my method in buying flowers, in 
 this one instance, price does not matter. You can guess 
 what I shall do with them." 
 
 "I couldn't possibly!" answered Mrs. Minturn. "The 
 only sure venture I could make is that they will not by 
 any chance come to me." 
 
 "No. These go to baby Elizabeth," he said. "Do 
 you want to come with me to take them to her?" 
 
 With an audible sneer she passed him. He stepped 
 aside, gravely raising his hat, while the others said good- 
 bye to him and followed. 
 
 " Positively insufferable ! " cried Mrs. Minturn. " Every 
 one of my friends say they do not know how I endure his 
 insults and I certainly will not many more. I don't, I 
 really don't know what he expects." 
 
 Mr. Winton and Douglas Bruce were confused, while 
 Leslie was frightened, but she tried turning the distressing 
 occurrence off with excuses. 
 
 "Of course he intended no insult!" she soothed. "He 
 must have adored his little daughter and the flowers re- 
 minded him. I am so much obliged for your opinion and 
 I shall be glad to take you to the swamp any time. Your 
 little sons would they like to go? It is a most interesting 
 and instructive place for children." 
 
 "For Heaven's sake don't mention children!" cried Mrs. 
 Minturn. "They are a bother and a curse!" 
 
 "Oh Mrs. Minturn!" exclaimed Leslie. 
 
 "Of course I don't mean quite that; but I do very near! 
 Mine are perfect little devils; all the trouble James and I
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 93 
 
 ever had came through them. His idea of a mother is a 
 combined doctor, wet-nurse and nursery maid, while I 
 must say, I far from agree with him. What are servants 
 for if not to take the trouble of children off your hands ? " 
 
 Leslie was glad to reach the rich woman's door and 
 deposit her there. 
 
 As the car sped away the girl turned a despairing face 
 toward Douglas: "For the love of Moike!" she cried. 
 "Isn't that shocking? Poor Mr. Minturn!" 
 
 "I don't pity him half so much as I do her," he an- 
 swered. "What must a woman have suffered or been 
 through, to warp, twist, and harden her like that?" 
 
 "Society life," answered Leslie, "as it is lived by people 
 of wealth who are aping royalty and the titled classes." 
 
 "A branch of them possibly," conceded Douglas. 
 "I know some titled and wealthy people who would be 
 dumbfounded over that woman's ideas." 
 
 "So do I," said Leslie. "Of course there are exceptions. 
 Sometimes the exception becomes bigger than the rule, 
 but not in our richest society. Douglas, let's keep close 
 together! Oh don't let's ever drift into such a state 
 as that. I should have asked them to lunch, but I 
 couldn't. If that is the way she is talking before her 
 friends, surely she won't have many, soon." 
 
 "Then her need for a real woman like you will be all 
 the greater," answered Douglas. "I suppose you should 
 have asked her; but I'm delighted that you didn't! To- 
 day began so nearly perfect, I want to end it with only 
 you and your father. Will he resent me, Leslie?" 
 
 "It all depends on us. If we are selfish and leave him
 
 94 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 alone he will feel it. If we can make him realize gain 
 instead of loss he will be happier than he is now." 
 
 "I wish I hadn't felt obliged to reject his offer the other 
 night. I'm very sorry about it." 
 
 "I'm not," said Leslie. "You have a right to live your 
 life in your own way. I have seen enough of running for 
 office, elections and appointments that I hate it. You 
 do the work you educated yourself for and I'll help 
 you." 
 
 "Then my success is assured," laughed Douglas. "Les- 
 lie, may I leave my basket 'here? Will you care for it 
 like yours, and may I come to see it often?" 
 
 "No. You may come to see me and look at the basket 
 incidentally," she answered. 
 
 "Do you think Mrs. Minturn will go to the swamp to 
 listen to those birds?" he asked. 
 
 "Eventually she will," answered the girl. "I may have 
 to begin by taking her to an orchard to hear a bird of gold 
 sing a golden song about * sewing, and mending, and baby 
 tending,' to start on; but when she hears that, she will be 
 eager for more." 
 
 "How interesting!" cried Douglas. "'Bearer of Morn- 
 ing,' sing that song to me now." 
 
 Leslie whistled the air, beating time with her hand, 
 then sang the words: 
 
 " 'I can wash, sir, I can spin, sir, 
 I can sew and mend, and babies tend.'" 
 
 "Oh you 'Bringer of Song!'" exulted Douglas. "I'd 
 rather hear you sing that than any bird, but from what
 
 "BEARER OF MORNING" 95 
 
 she said, Nellie Minturn won't care particularly for 
 it!" 
 
 "She may not approve of, or practise, the sentiment," 
 said Leslie, "but she'll love the music and possibly the 
 musician.**
 
 CHAPTER V 
 LITTLE BROTHER 
 
 OW what am I going to do yet to make the day 
 shorter, Lily ? " asked Mickey. 
 
 "I guess I got everything," she answered. 
 "There's my lunch. Here's my pictures to cut. Here's 
 my lesson to learn. There's my sky and bird crumbs. 
 Mickey, sometimes they hop right in on the sheet. Yes- 
 t'day one tried to get my lunch. Ain't they sassy?" 
 
 "Yes," said Mickey. "They fight worse than rich 
 folks. I don't know why the Almighty pays attention if 
 they fall." 
 
 "Mebby nobody else cares," said Peaches, "and He 
 feels obliged to 'cause He made 'em." 
 
 "Gee! You say the funniest things, kid," laughed 
 Mickey as he digested the idea. "Wonder if He cares for 
 us 'cause He made us." 
 
 "Mebby he didn't make us," suggested Peaches. 
 
 "Well we got one consoling thing," said Mickey. "If 
 He made any of them, He made us, and if He didn't make 
 us, He didn't none of them, 'cause everybody comes in 
 and goes out the same way; She said so." 
 
 "Then of course it's so," agreed Peaches. "That gives 
 us as good a chance as anybody." 
 
 "Course it does if we got sense to take it," said Mickey. 
 
 96
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 97 
 
 "'We got to wake up and make something of ourselves. 
 Let me see if you know your lesson for to-day yet. There 
 is the picture of the animal there is the word that spells 
 its name. Now what is it?" 
 
 "Milk!" answered Peaches, her eyes mischievous. 
 
 Mickey held over the book chuckling. 
 
 "All right! There is the word for that, too. For being 
 so smart, Miss Chicken, you can learn it 'fore you get any 
 more to drink. If I have good luck to-day, I'm going to 
 blow in about six o'clock with a slate and pencil for you; 
 and then you can print the words you learn, and make 
 pictures. That'll help make the day go a lot faster." 
 
 "Oh it goes fast enough now," said Peaches. "I love 
 days with you and the window and the birds. I wish 
 they'd sing more though." 
 
 "When your back gets well, I'll take you to the country 
 where they sing all the time," promised Mickey, "where 
 there are grass, and trees, and flowers, and water to wade 
 in and " 
 
 "Mickey, stop and go on!" cried Peaches. "Sooner 
 you start, the sooner I'll get my next verse. I want just 
 norful good one to-night." 
 
 She held up her arms. Mickey submitted to a hug and 
 a little cold dab on his forehead, counted his money, locked 
 the door and ran. On the car he sat in deep thought, then 
 suddenly sniggered aloud. He had achieved the next in- 
 stallment of the doggerel to which every night Peaches 
 insisted on having a new verse added as he entered. He 
 secured his papers, and glimpsirg the headlines started on 
 his beat crying them lustily.
 
 98 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey knew that washing, better air, enough food, and 
 oil rubbing were improving Peaches. What he did not 
 know was that adding the interest of her presence to his 
 life, even though it made his work heavier, was showing on 
 him. He actually seemed bigger, stronger, and his face 
 brighter and fuller. He swung down the street thrusting 
 his papers right and left, crossed and went up the other 
 side, watching closely for a customer. It was ten o'clock 
 and opportunities with the men were almost over. Mickey 
 turned to scan the street for anything even suggesting a 
 sale. He saw none and started with his old cry, watching 
 as he went: "I like to sell papers! Sometimes I sell them! 
 Sometimes I don't /' 
 
 Then he saw her. She was so fresh and joyous. She 
 walked briskly. Even his beloved nurse was not so won- 
 derful. Straight toward her went Mickey. 
 
 "I like to sell papers! Sometimes I sell them! Some- 
 times I don't! Morning paper, lady! Sterilized! Deo- 
 dorized! Vulcanized! Nice clean paper!" 
 
 The girl's eyes betokened interest; her smiling lips en- 
 couraged Mickey. He laid his chin over her arm, leaned 
 his head against it and fell in step with her. 
 
 "Sometimes I sell them! Sometimes I don't ! If I sell 
 them, I'm happy! If I don't, I'm hungry ! If you buy 
 them, you're happy! Pa per? lady." 
 
 "Not to-day, thank you," she said. "I'm shopping, 
 so I don't wish to carry it." 
 
 Mickey saw Peaches' slate vanishing. It was a 
 beautiful slate, small so it would not tire her bits of 
 hands, and its frame was covered with red. His face
 
 " 'I can wash, sir, I can spin, sir, I can sew and mend, 
 and babies tend/ "
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 99 
 
 sobered, his voice changed, taking on unexpected modula- 
 tions 
 
 "Aw lady! I thought youd buy my paper! Far down 
 the street I saw you coming. Lady, I like your gentle 
 voice. I like your pleasant smile ! You don't want a nice 
 sterilized paper? lady." 
 
 The lady stopped short; she lifted Mickey's chin in a 
 firm grip, looking intently into his face. 
 
 "Just by the merest chance, could your name be 
 Mickey?" she asked. 
 
 "Sure, lady! Mickey! Michael O'Halloran!" 
 
 Her smile became even more attractive. 
 
 "I really don't want to be bothered with a paper/' she 
 said; "but I do wish a note delivered. If you'll carry it, 
 I'll pay you the price of half a dozen papers." 
 
 "Gets the slate!" cried Mickey, bouncing like a rubber 
 boy. "Sure I will! Is it ready, lady?" 
 
 "One minute!" she said. She stepped to the inside of 
 the walk, opened her purse, wrote a line on a card, slipped 
 it in an envelope, addressed it and handed it to Mickey. 
 
 "You can read that?" she asked. 
 
 "I've read worse writing than that," he assured her. 
 "You ought to see the hieroglyphics some of the dimun- 
 studded dames put up!" 
 
 Mickey took a last glimpse at the laughing face, then 
 wheeling ran. Presently he went into a big building, 
 studied the address board, then entered the elevator 
 and following a corridor reached the number. 
 
 He paused a second, glancing around, when he saw 
 the name on the opposite door. A flash passed over
 
 ioo MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 his face. "Ugh!" he muttered. "'Member now been 
 to this place before! Glad she ain't sending a letter to 
 that man." He stepped inside the open door before him, 
 crossed the room and laid the note near a man who was 
 bending over some papers on a desk. The man reached a 
 groping hand, tore open the envelope, taking therefrom a 
 card on which was pencilled: "Could this by any chance be 
 your Little Brother?" 
 
 He turned hastily, glanced at Mickey, then in a con- 
 tinuous movement arose with outstretched hand. 
 
 "Why Little Brother," he cried, "I'm so glad to see 
 you!" " 
 
 Mickey's smile slowly vanished as he whipped his hands 
 behind him, stepping back. 
 
 "Nothin' doing, Boss," he said. "You're off your 
 trolley. I've no brother. My mother had only me." 
 
 "Don't you remember me, Mickey?" inquired Douglas 
 Bruce. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "You made Jimmy pay up!" 
 
 "Has he bothered you again?" asked the lawyer. 
 
 'Nope!" answered Mickey. 
 
 "Sit down, Mickey, I want to talk with you." 
 
 "I'm much obliged for helping me out," said Mickey, 
 "but I guess you got other business, and I know I have." 
 
 "What is your business?" was the next question. 
 
 "Selling papers. What's yours?" was the answer. 
 
 "Trying to be a corporation lawyer," explained Douglas. 
 *Tve been here only two years, and it is slow getting a 
 start. I often have more time to spare than I wish I had, 
 while I'm lonesome no end."
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 101 
 
 "Is your mother dead?" asked Mickey solicitously. 
 
 "Yes," answered Douglas. 
 
 "So's mine!" he commented. "You do get lonesome! 
 Course she was a good one?" 
 
 "The very finest, Mickey," said Douglas. "And 
 yours ? " 
 
 "Same here, Mister," said Mickey with conviction. 
 
 "Well since we are both motherless and lonesome, sup- 
 pose we be brothers!" suggested Douglas. 
 
 "Aw-w-w!" Mickey shook his head. 
 
 "No?" questioned Douglas. 
 
 "What's the use?" cried Mickey. 
 
 "You could help me with my work and share my play, 
 while possibly I could be of benefit to you." 
 
 "I just wondered if you wasn't getting to that," com- 
 mented Mickey. 
 
 "Getting to what?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "Going to do me good!" explained Mickey. "The 
 swell stiffs are always going to do us fellows good. Mostly 
 they do ! They do us good and brown ! They pick us up 
 a while and make lap dogs of us, then when we've lost 
 our appetites for our jobs and got to having a hankerin' for 
 the fetch and carry business away they go and forget us, 
 so we're a lot worse off than we were before. Some of 
 the fellows come out of it knowing more ways to be mean 
 than they ever learned on the street," explained Mickey. 
 "If it's that Big Brother bee you got in your bonnet, pull 
 its stinger and let it die an unnatural death! Nope! 
 None! Good-bye!" 
 
 "Mickey, wait!" cried Douglas.
 
 102 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Me business calls, an' I must go 'way to my ranch in 
 Idaho!" gaily sang Mickey. 
 
 "I'd like to shake you!" said Douglas Bruce. 
 
 "Well, go on," said Mickey. "I'm here and you're 
 big enough." 
 
 "If I thought it would jolt out your fool notions and 
 shake some sense in, I would," said Douglas indignantly. 
 
 "Now look here, Kitchener," said Mickey. "Did I 
 say one word that ain't so, and that you don't know is so ? " 
 
 "What you said is not even half a truth, young man ! I 
 do know cases where idle rich men have tried the Little 
 Brother plan as a fad, and made a failure of it. But for a 
 few like that, I know dozens of sincere, educated men who 
 are honestly giving a boy they fancy, a chance. I can 
 take you into the office of one of the most influential 
 men in this city, right across the hall there, and show you 
 a boy he liketl who has in a short time become his friend, 
 an invaluable helper, and hourly companion, and out of 
 it that boy will get a fine education, good business train- 
 ing, and a start in life that will give him a better chance 
 to begin on than the man who is helping him had." 
 
 Mickey laughed boisterously, then sobered suddenly. 
 
 (0 Scuse me, Brother," he said politely, "but that's most 
 too funny for any use. Once I took a whirl with that 
 gentleman myself. Whether he does or not, I know the 
 place where he ought to get off. See? Answer me this: 
 why would he be spending money and taking all that 
 time for a 'newsy' when he hardly knows his own kids 
 if he sees them, and they're the wickedest little rippers 
 in the park. Just why now?"
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 103 
 
 Douglas Bruce closed the door; then he came back and 
 placing a chair for Mickey, he took one opposite. 
 
 "Sit down Mickey," he said patiently. "There's a 
 reason for my being particularly interested in James 
 Minturn, and the reason hinges on the fact you men- 
 tion: that he can't control his own sons, yet can make a 
 boy he takes comfort in, of a street gamin." 
 
 Mickey's eyes narrowed while he sat very straight in the 
 chair he had accepted. 
 
 "If he's made so much of him, it sort of proves that he 
 wasn't a gamin. Some of the boys are a long shot closer 
 gentlemen than the guys who are experimenting with 
 them; 'cause they were born rich and can afford it. If your 
 friend's going to train his pick-up to be what he is, then 
 that boy would stand a better chance on his own side the 
 curb. See? I've been right up against that gentleman 
 with the documents, so I know him. Also her! Gee! 
 'Tear up de choild and gimme de papers' was meant for 
 a joke; but I saw that lady and gentleman do it. See? 
 And she was the prettiest little pink and yellow thing. 
 Lord! I can see her gasping and blinking now! Makes 
 me sick! If the boy across the hall had seen what I did. 
 he'd run a mile and never stop. Gee!" 
 
 Douglas Bruce stared aghast. At last he said slowly: 
 "Mickey, you are getting mighty close the very thing I 
 wish to know. If I tell you what I know of James Min- 
 turn, will you tell me what you know and think?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey readily. "I got no reasons for 
 loving him. I wouldn't convoy a millying to the mint 
 for that gentleman!"
 
 io 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Mickey, shall I go first, or will you?" 
 
 "I will," replied Mickey instantly, "'cause when I finish 
 you'll save your breath. See?" 
 
 " I see," said Douglas Bruce. " Proceed." 
 
 "Well, 'twas over two years ago," said Mickey, lean- 
 ing forward to look Bruce in the eyes. "I hadn't been 
 up against the game so awful long alone. 'Twas summer 
 and my papers were all gone, and I was tired, so I went 
 over in the park and sat on a seat, just watching folks. 
 Pretty soon 'long comes walking a nice lady with a sweet 
 voice and kind eyes. She sat down close me and says: 
 'It's a nice day.' We got chummy-like, when right up 
 at the fountain before us stops as swell an automobile as 
 there is. One of the brown French-governess-ladies with 
 the hatchet face got out, and unloaded three kids: two 
 boys and a girl. She told the kids if they didn't sit on 
 the benches she socked them on hard, and keep their 
 clothes clean so she wouldn't have to wash and dress them 
 again that day, she'd knock the livers out of them, and 
 walked off with the entrance policeman. Soon as she 
 and Bobbie got interested, the kids began sliding off the 
 bench and running around the fountain. The girl was 
 only 'bout two or three, a fat toddly thing, trying to do 
 what her brothers did, and taking it like the gamest kid 
 you ever saw when they pushed her off the seat, and 
 tripped her, and 'bused her like a dog. 
 
 "Me and the woman were getting madder every min- 
 ute. 'Go tell your nurse,' says she. But the baby thing 
 just glanced where nurse was and kind of shivered and 
 laughed, and ran on round the fountain, when the big boy
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 105 
 
 stuck his foot out so she fell. Nursie saw and started for 
 her, but she scrambled up and went kiting for the bench, 
 and climbed on it, so nurse told her she'd cut the blood out 
 of her if she did that again, then went back to her police- 
 man. Soon as she was gone those little devils began 
 coaxing their sister to get down and run again. At last 
 she began to smile the cunningest and slipped to the walk, 
 then a little farther, and a little farther, all the time laugh- 
 ing and watching the nurse. The big boy, he said: 'You 
 ain't nothing but a girl ! You can't step on the edge like 
 I can and then step back!' She says: 'C'n too!' She 
 did to show him, and just as she did she saw that he was 
 going to push her, then she tried to get back, but he did 
 push, and over she went! Not real in, but her arms in, 
 and her dress front some wet. 
 
 "She screamed while the little devil that pushed her 
 grabbed her, pretending to be pulling her out. Honest 
 he did! Up came nurse just frothing, and in language we 
 couldn't understand she ripped and raved. She dragged 
 little pink back, grabbed her by the hair and cracked her 
 head two or three times against the stone I The lady 
 screamed, and so did I, and we both ran at her. The 
 boys just shouted and laughed and the smallest one he 
 up and kicked her while she was down. The policeman 
 walked over laughing too, but he told nurse that was too 
 rough. Then my lady pitched in, so he told her to tend to 
 her business, that those kids were too tough to live, and de- 
 served all they got. The nurse laughed at her, and went 
 back to the grass with the policeman. The baby lay 
 there on the stones, and never made a sound. She just
 
 106 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 kind of gasped, and blinked, and lay there, till my lady 
 went almost wild. She went to her and stooped to lift 
 her up when she got awful sick. The policeman said some- 
 thing to the nurse, so she came and dragged the kid 
 away and said, 'The little pig has gone and eaten too much 
 again, and now I'll have to take her home and wash and 
 dress her all over,' then she gave her an awful shake. The 
 policeman said she'd better cut that out, because it might 
 have been the bumping, and she said 'good for her if 
 'twas.' The driver pulled up just then and he asked 'if 
 the brat had been stuffin' too much again?' She said, 
 'yes,' and the littlest boy he said, 'she pounded her head 
 on the stone, good,' and the nurse hit him 'cross the mouth 
 till she knocked him against the car, and she said, 'Want 
 to try that again ? Open your head to say that again, and 
 I'll smash you too. Eating too much made her sick' She 
 looked at the big boy fierce like so he laughed and said, 
 * Course eating too much made her sick!' She nodded 
 at him and said, 'Course! You get two dishes of ice and 
 two pieces of cake for remembering!' then she loaded 
 them in and they drove away. 
 
 "My lady was as white as marble and she said, ' Is there 
 any way to find out who they are ?' I said, 'Sure! Haifa 
 dozen!* 'Boy,' she said, 'get their residence for me and 
 I'll give you a dollar/ Ought to seen me fly. Car was 
 chuffing away, waiting to get the traffic cop's sign when 
 to cut in on the avenue. I just took a dodge and hung on 
 to the extra tire under the top where nobody saw me, and 
 when they stopped, I got the house number they went in. 
 Little pink was lying all white and limber yet, and nurse
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 107 
 
 looked worried as she carried her up. She said some- 
 thing fierce to the boys," the big one rang and they went 
 inside. I saw a footman take the girl. I heard nurse 
 begin that 'eat too much' story, then I cut back to the 
 park. The lady said, 'Get it?' I said, 'Sure! Dead 
 easy.' She said, 'Can you take me?' I said, 'Glad to!' 
 
 "She said, 'That was the dreadfullest sight I ever saw. 
 That child's mother is going to know right now what kind 
 of a nurse she is paying to take care of her children. You 
 come show me,' she said, so we went. 
 
 '"Will you come in with me?' she asked when we got 
 there and I said, 'Yes!' 
 
 "Well, we rang and she asked pleasant to see the lady of 
 the house on a little matter of important business, so 
 pretty soon here comes one of the dimun-studded, fashion- 
 paper ladies, all smiling sweet as honey, and asked what the 
 business was. My nice lady she said her name was Mrs. 
 John Wilson and her husband was a banker in Plymouth, 
 Illinois, and she was in the city shopping and went to the 
 park to rest and was talking to me, when an automobile 
 let out a nurse, and two boys and a lovely little pink girl, 
 and she give the number and asked, 'was the car and the 
 children hers?' The dimun-lady slowly sort of began to 
 freeze over, and when the nice lady got that far, she said: 
 ' I have an engagement. Kindly state in -zjew words what 
 you want.' 
 
 "My lady sort of stiffened up and then she said: 'I saw, 
 this boy here saw, and the park policeman nearest the en- 
 trance fountain saw your nurse take your little girl by the 
 hair, and strike her head against the fountain curb three
 
 io8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 times, because her brother pushed her in. She lay in- 
 sensible until the car came, and she has just been carried 
 into your house in that condition.' 
 
 "I could see the footman peeking and at that he cut up 
 the stairs. The dimun-lady stiffened up and she said: 
 'So you are one of those meddling, interfering country jays 
 that come here and try to make us lose our good servants, 
 so you can hire them later. I've seen that done before. 
 Lucette is invaluable/ said she, 'and perfectly reliable. 
 Takes all the care of those dreadful little imps from me. 
 Now you get out of here.' And she reached for the but- 
 ton. 
 
 "My lady just sat still and smiled. 
 
 "'Do you really think I'd take the trouble to come here 
 in this way if I couldn't prove I had seen the thing hap- 
 pen?' she asked. 
 
 "God only knows what you country women would 
 do!' the woman answered. 
 
 "We would stand between our children and beastly 
 cruelty,' my lady said. 'Your child's condition is all the 
 proof my words need. You go examine her head, and 
 feel the welt on it; see how ill she is and you will thank me. 
 Your nurse is not reliable! Keep her and your children 
 will be ruined, if not killed.' 
 
 "Raving! 5 sneered the dimun-lady. 'But I know 
 your kind so I'll go, as it's the only way to get rid of 
 you.' 
 
 "Now what do you think happened next? Well sir, 
 'bout three minutes in walked the footman and salutes, 
 sneering like a cat, and he said: 'Madam's compliments.
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 109 
 
 She finds her little daughter in perfect condition, sweetly 
 sleeping, and her sons having dinner. She asks you to see 
 how quickly you can leave her residence.' 
 
 "The woman looked at me so I said: 'It's all over but 
 burying the kid if it dies; come on, lady, they'd be glad to 
 plant it, and get it out of the way.' So I started and she 
 followed, and just as he let me out the door I handed him 
 this: 'I saw you listen and cut to tell, and I bet you helped 
 put the kid to sleep! But you better look out! She gave 
 it to that baby too rough for any use!' 
 
 "He started for me, but I flew. When we got on the 
 street, the lady was all used up so she couldn't say any- 
 thing. She had me call a taxi to take her to her hotel. I 
 set down her name she gave me, and her house and street 
 number. I cut to a Newsies' directory and got the name 
 of the owner of the palace-place and it was Mrs. James 
 Minturn. Next morning coming down on the cars I was 
 hunting headliners to make up a new call, like I always do, 
 and there I saw in big type, 'Mr. and Mrs. James Minturn 
 prostrate over the sudden death of their lovely little daugh- 
 ter from poisoning, from an ice she ate.' I read it every 
 word. Even what the doctors said, and how investigation 
 of the source of the ice came from was to be made. What 
 do you think of it?" 
 
 "I have no doubt but it's every word horrible truth," 
 answered Douglas. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "I just hiked to the park and 
 walked up to the cop and showed him the paper, and he 
 looked awful glum. I can point him out to you, and give 
 you the lady's address, and there were plenty more who
 
 i io MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 saw parts of it could be found if anybody was on the kid's 
 side. Sure it's the truth! 
 
 "Well I kept a-thinking it over. One day about three 
 weeks later, blest if the same car didn't stop at the same 
 fountain, and the same nurse got out with the boys and she 
 set them on the same bench and told them the same thing, 
 and then she went into another palaver with the same 
 p'liceman. I looked on pretty much interested, and be- 
 fore long the boys got to running again and one tripped the 
 other, and she saw and come running, and fetched him a 
 crack like to split his head, and pushed him down still and 
 white, so I said to myself: 'All right for you. Lady tried a 
 lady and got nothing. Here's where a gentleman tries a 
 gentleman, and sees what he gets/ 
 
 "I marched into the door just across the hall from you 
 here, and faced Mr. James Minturn, and gave him names, 
 and dates, and addresses, even the copper's name I'd got; 
 and I told him all I've told you, and considerable more. 
 He wasn't so fiery as the lady, so I told him the whole 
 thing, but he never opened his trap. He just sat still and 
 stony, listened till I quit, and finally he heaved a big breath 
 and looked at me sort of dazed like and he said: 'What do 
 you want, boy ? ' 
 
 "That made me red hot so I said: 'I want you to know 
 that I saw the same woman bust one of your boys a good 
 crack, over the head, a few minutes ago. ' 
 
 "That made him jump, but he didn't say or do any- 
 thing, so I got up and went and the same woman was in 
 the park with the same boys yesterday, and they're the 
 biggest little devils there. What's the answer?"
 
 LITTLE BROTHER in 
 
 "A heartbroken man," said Douglas Bruce. "Now let 
 me tell you, Mickey." 
 
 Then he told Mickey all he knew of James Mintum. 
 
 "All the same, he ought to be able to do something for 
 his own kids, 'stead of boys who don't need it half so bad," 
 commented Mickey. "Why honest, I don't know one 
 street kid so low that he'd kick a little girl after she'd 
 been beat up scandalous, for his meanness to start on. 
 Honest, I don't! I don't care what he is doing for the boy 
 he has got, that boy doesn't need help half so much as his 
 own; I can prove it to you, if you'll come with me to the 
 park 'most any morning." 
 
 "All right, I'll come," said Douglas promptly. 
 
 "Well I couldn't say that they would be there this min- 
 ute," said Mickey, "but I can call you up the first time I 
 see they are." 
 
 "Ail right, I'll come, if it's possible. I'd like to see for 
 myself. So this gives you a settled prejudice against the 
 Big Brother movement, Mickey ? " 
 
 "In my brogans, what would it give you?" 
 
 "A hard jolt!" said Douglas emphatically. 
 
 "Then what's the answer?" 
 
 "That it is more unfair than I thought you could be, to 
 deprive me of my Little Brother, because you deem the 
 man across the hall unfit to have one. Do I look as if you 
 couldn't trust me, Mickey?" 
 
 "No, you don't! But neither does Mr. James Minturn. 
 He looks as if a fellow could get a grip on him and pull safe 
 across Belgium hanging on. But you know I said the 
 same woman "
 
 H2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "I know Mickey; but that only proves that there are 
 times when even the strongest man can't help him- 
 self." 
 
 "Then like Ulhan I'd trot 1:54^ to the judge of the 
 Juvenile Court," said Mickey, "and I'd yell long and loud, 
 and I'd put up the proof. That would get the lady down 
 to brass tacks. See?" 
 
 "But with Mrs. Mintum's position and the stain such a 
 proceeding would put on the boys " 
 
 "Cut out the boys," advised Mickey. "They're gold 
 plated, staining wouldn't stick to them." 
 
 "So you are going to refuse education, employment and 
 a respectable position because you disapprove of one man 
 among millions?" demanded Douglas. 
 
 "That lets me out," said Mickey. "She educated me a 
 lot! No day is long enough for the work I do right now; 
 you can take my word for it that I'm respectable, same as 
 I'm taking yours that you are." 
 
 "All right!" said Douglas. "We will let it go then. 
 Maybe you are right. At least you are not worth the 
 bother it requires to wake you up. Will you take an an- 
 swer to the note you brought me?" 
 
 "Now the returns are coming in," said Mickey. "Sure 
 I will; but she is in the big stores shopping." 
 
 "I'll find out," said Douglas. 
 
 He picked up the telephone and called the Winton resi- 
 dence; on learning Leslie was still away, he left a request 
 that she call him when she returned. 
 
 "I would spend the time talking with you," he said to 
 Mickey, "if I could accomplish anything; as I can't, I'll
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 113 
 
 go on with my work. You busy yourself with anything 
 around the rooms that interests you." 
 
 Mickey grinned half abashed. He took a long survey 
 of the room they were in, arose and standing in the door 
 leading to the next he studied that. To him "busy" 
 meant work. Presently he went into the hall and returned 
 with a hand broom and dust pan he had secured from the 
 janitor. He carefully went over the floor, removing any- 
 thing he could see that he thought should not be there, and 
 then began on the room adjoining. Next he appeared with 
 a cloth and dusted the furniture and window seats. Once 
 he met Douglas' eye and smiled. "Your janitor didn't 
 have much of a mother," he commented. "I could beat 
 him to his base a rod." 
 
 "Job is yours any time you want it." 
 
 "Morning papers," carrolled Mickey. "Sterilized, deo- 
 dorized, vulcanized. I like to sell them " 
 
 Defeated again Bruce turned to his work and Mickey to 
 his. He straightened every rug, pulled a curtain, set a 
 blind at an angle that gave the worker more light and bet- 
 ter air. He was investigating the state of the glass when 
 the telephone rang. 
 
 "Hello, Leslie! It certainly was! How did you do it ? 
 Not so hilarious as you might suppose. Leslie, I want to 
 say something, not for the wire. Will you hold the line a 
 second until I start Mickey with it? All right! 
 
 "She is there now, Mickey. Can you find your 
 way?" 
 
 "Sure!" laughed Mickey. "If you put the address on. 
 She started me from the street."
 
 ii 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "The address is plain. For straightening my rooms and 
 carrying the note, will that be about right?" 
 
 "A lady-bird! Gee!" cried Mickey. "I didn't s'pose 
 you was a plute! And I don't s'pose so yet. You want 
 a Little Brother bad if you're willing to buy one. This 
 number ain't far out, and I wouldn't have sold more than 
 three papers this time of day twenty-five is about right." 
 
 "But you forget cleaning my rooms," said Douglas. 
 
 Mickey grinned, his face flushed. He waved his hand 
 gracefully. 
 
 "Me to you!" he said. "Nothing! Just a little mat- 
 ter of keeping in practice. Good-bye and be good to your- 
 self!" 
 
 Douglas turned to the telephone. 
 
 "Leslie!" he said, "I'm sending Mickey back to you 
 with a note, not because I had anything to say I couldn't 
 say now, but because I can't manage him. I pretended 
 1 didn't care, and let him go. Can't you help me? See 
 if you can't interest him in something that at least will 
 bring him back, or show us where to find him. Cer' 
 tainly ! Thank you very much ! " 
 
 When Mickey delivered the letter the lovely young 
 woman just happened to be in the hall. She told him to 
 come in until she read it, to learn what Mr. Bruce wanted. 
 Mickey followed into a big room, looked around, then 
 a speculative, appreciative gleam crossed his face. He 
 realized the difference between a home and a show room. 
 He did not know what he was seeing or why it affected 
 him as it did. Really the thought that was in his mind 
 was that this woman was far more attractive, but had less
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 115 
 
 money to spend on her home, than many others. He 
 missed the glitter, but enjoyed the comfort, for he leaned 
 back against the chair offered him, thinking what a cool, 
 restful place it was. The girl seemed in no hurry to open 
 the letter. 
 
 "Have trouble finding Mr. Bruce?" she asked. 
 
 "Easy! I'd been to the same building before." 
 
 "And I suppose you'll be there many times again," she 
 suggested. 
 
 "I'm going back right now, if you want to send an an- 
 swer to that letter," he said. 
 
 "And if it requires none?" she questioned. 
 
 "Then I'm going to try to sell the rest of these papers, 
 get a slate for Lily and go home." 
 
 "Is Lily your little sister?" she asked. 
 
 Mickey straightened, firmly closing his lips. He had 
 done it again. 
 
 "Just a little girl I know," he said cautiously. 
 
 "A little bit of a girl?" she asked. 
 
 '"Bout the littlest girl you ever saw," said Mickey, un- 
 consciously interested in the subject. 
 
 "And you are going to take her a slate to draw pictures 
 on? How fine! I wish you'd carry her a package for me, 
 too. I was arranging my dresser this morning and I 
 put the ribbons I don't want into a box for some child. 
 Maybe Lily would like them for her doll." 
 
 "Lily hasn't any doll/' he said. "She had one, but her 
 granny sold it and got drunk on the money." 
 
 Mickey stopped suddenly. In a minute more he would 
 have another Orphans' Home argument on his hands.
 
 ii6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Scandalous!" cried Leslie. "In my room there is a 
 doll just begging to go to some little girl. If you took it 
 to Lily, would her granny sell it again ?" 
 
 "Not this morning," said Mickey. "You see Miss, a 
 few days ago she lost her breath. Permanent! No! li 
 Lily had a doll, nobody would take it from her now." 
 
 "I'll bring it at once," she offered "and the ribbons. 
 Excuse me!" 
 
 "Never mind," said Mickey. "I can get her a doll." 
 
 But you haven't seen this one!" cried Leslie. "You 
 save your money for oranges." 
 
 Without waiting for a reply she left the room, presently 
 returning with a box and a doll that seemed to Mickey 
 quite as large as Peaches. It had a beautiful face, hair, 
 real hair that could be combed, and real clothes that could 
 be taken off. Leslie had dressed it for a birthday gift for 
 the little daughter of one of her friends; but by making 
 haste she could prepare another. Mickey gazed in be- 
 wilderment. He had seen dolls, even larger and more 
 wonderful than that, in the shop windows, but connecting 
 such a creation with his room and Peaches required mental 
 adjustments. 
 
 "I guess you better not," he said with conviction 
 
 "But why not?" asked Leslie in amazement. 
 
 "Well for 'bout fifty reasons," replied Mickey. "You 
 see Lily is a poor kid, and her back is bad. That doll is 
 so big she couldn't dress it without getting all tired out; 
 and what's the use showing her such dresses, when she 
 can't have any herself. She's got the best she ever had, 
 and the best she can have right now; so that ain't the
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 117 
 
 kind of a doll for Lily it's too big and too too glad- 
 some!" 
 
 "I see," laughed Leslie. "Well Mickey, you show me 
 what would be the right size of a doll for Lily. I'll get 
 another, and dress it as you say. How would that 
 do?" 
 
 "You needn't!" said Mickey. "Lily is happy now." 
 
 "But wouldn't she like a doll?" persisted Leslie. "I 
 never knew a girl who didn't love a doll. Wouldn't she 
 like a doll Mickey?" 
 
 "'Most to death I 'spect," said Mickey. "I know she 
 said she cried for the one her granny sold, 'til she beat her. 
 Yes I guess she'd like a doll; but I can get her one." 
 
 " But you can't make white nighties for Lily to put on 
 it to take to bed with her, and cunning little dresses for 
 morning, and a street dress for afternoon, and a party 
 dress for evening," tempted the girl. 
 
 "Lily has been on the street twice, and she never heard 
 of a party. Just nighties and the morning dress would do, 
 and there's no use for me to be sticking. If you like to 
 give away dolls, Lily might as well have one, for she'd 
 just I don't know what she would do about it," con- 
 ceded Mickey. 
 
 "All right," said Leslie. "I'll dress it this afternoon, 
 and to-morrow you can come for it in the evening be- 
 fore you go home. If I am not here, the package will be 
 ready. Take the ribbons now. She'd like them for her 
 hair." 
 
 "Her hair's too short for a ribbon," said Mickey. 
 
 "Then a headband! This way!" said Leslie.
 
 ii8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 She opened a box and displayed a wonderment of ribbon 
 bands, and bits of gay colour. 
 
 "Gee!" gasped Mickey. "I couldn't pick up that much 
 brightness for her in a year!" 
 
 "You save what you find for her?" asked Leslie. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "You see Miss, things are 
 pretty plain where she is, so all the brightness I can take 
 i her ain't going to hurt her eyes. Thank you heaps. I,s 
 there going to be any answer to the letter?" 
 
 "Why I haven't read it yet!" cried the girl. 
 
 "No! A-body can see that some one else is rustling for 
 your grub!" commented Mickey. 
 
 "That's so too," laughed Leslie. "Darlingold Daddy!" 
 
 "Just about right is he?" queried Mickey, interestedly. 
 
 "Just exactly right!" said Leslie. 
 
 "Gur-ur-and!" said Mickey. "Some of them ain't so 
 well fixed! And he that wrote the note, I guess he's about 
 as fine as you make them, too!" 
 
 "He's the finest man I ever have known, Mickey!" said 
 the girl earnestly. 
 
 "Barring Daddy?" suggested Mickey. 
 
 "Not barring anybody!" cried she. "Daddy is lovely, 
 but he's Daddy! Mr. Bruce is different!" 
 
 "No letter?" questioned Mickey, rising. 
 
 'None!" said the girl. "Come to-morrow night. You 
 are sure Lily is so very little, Mickey?" 
 
 "You wouldn't call me big, would you?" he asked. 
 "Well! I can lift her with one hand! Such a large doll 
 as that would be tiring and confusing. Please make Lily's 
 more like she's used to. See ? "
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 119 
 
 "Mickey, I do see!" said Leslie. "I beg your pardon. 
 Lily's doll shall not tire her or make her discontented 
 with what she has. Thank you for a good idea." 
 
 Mickey returned to the street shortly after noon, with 
 more in his pocket than he usually earned in a day, where 
 by expert work he soon disposed of his last paper. He 
 bought the slate, then hurried home carrying it and the 
 box. At the grocery he carefully selected food again. 
 Then he threw open his door and achieved this: 
 
 "Once a little kid named Peaches, 
 Swelled my heart until it catches. 
 If you think I'd trade her for a dog, 
 Your think-tank has slipped a cog!" 
 
 Peaches laughed, stretching her hands as usual. Mickey 
 stooped for her caress, scattering the ribbons over her as 
 he arose. She gasped in delighted amazement, catching 
 both hands full. 
 
 "Oh! Mickey! Where did you ever ? Mickey, where 
 did you get them? Mickey, you didn't st ?" 
 
 "You just better choke on that, Miss!" yelled Mickey. 
 
 "No I didn't st ! And I don't st ! And nothing 
 
 I ever bring you will be st ! And you needn't ever 
 
 put no more st's at me. See?" 
 
 "Mickey, I didn't mean that! Course I know you 
 wouldn't! Course I know you couldn't! Mickey, that's 
 the best poetry piece yet! Did you bring the slate?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey, somewhat mollified, but still in- 
 jured. "I must have dropped it with the banquet!" 
 
 Peaches pushed away the billow of colour, taking the
 
 120 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 slate. Her fingers picking at the string reminded Mickey 
 of" sparrow feet; but he watched until she untied and re- 
 moved the paper which he folded to lay away. She 
 picked up the pencil, meditating. 
 
 " Mickey ! " she said. " Make my hand do a word ! " 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "What do you want to write 
 first, Flowersy-girl ? " 
 
 Peaches looked at him reproachfully. 
 
 "Course there wouldn't be but one I'd want to do first 
 of all," she said. "Hold my hand tight, and big and 
 plain up at the top make it write, 'Mickey-lovest." 
 
 "Sure," said the boy in a hushed voice. He gripped the 
 hand, bending above her, but suddenly collapsed, buried 
 his face in her hair and sobbed until he shook. 
 
 Peaches crouched down, lying rigidly. She was badly 
 frightened. At last she could endure it no longer. 
 
 "Mickey!" she gasped. "Mickey, what did I do? 
 Mickey, don't write it if you don't want to!" 
 
 Mickey arose, wiping his face on the sheet. 
 
 "You just bet I want to write that, Lily!" he said. "I 
 never wanted to do anything more in all my life!" 
 
 "Then why ?" she began. 
 
 "Never you mind 'why* Miss!" said Mickey. 
 
 Grasping her hand, he traced the words. Peaches 
 looked at them a long time, then carefully laid the slate 
 aside. She began fingering the ribbons. 
 
 "Let me wash you," said Mickey, "and rub your back 
 to rest you from all this day, then I'll comb your hair 
 and you pick the prettiest one. I'll put it on the way she 
 showed me, so you'll be a fash'nable lady."
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 121 
 
 "Who showed you Mickey, and gave you such pretties ?" 
 
 "A girl I carried a letter to. After you're bathed and 
 have had supper I'll tell you." 
 
 Then Mickey began work. He sponged Peaches, 
 rubbed her back, laid her on his pallet, putting fresh sheets 
 on her bed and carefully preparing her supper. After she 
 had eaten he again ran the comb through her ringlets, 
 telling her to select the ribbon he should use. 
 
 "No you!" said Peaches. 
 
 Mickey squinted, so exacting was the work of deciding. 
 Red he discarded with one sweep against her white cheeks; 
 green went with it; blue almost made him shudder, but a 
 soft warm pink pleased him, so Mickey folded it into the 
 bands in which it had been creased before, binding it 
 around Peaches' head as Leslie had shown him, then with 
 awkward fingers did his best on a big bow. He crossed the 
 room and from the wall picked a little mirror which he held 
 before her reciting: "Once a little kid named Peaches, 
 swelled my heart " 
 
 Peaches took the mirror, studying the face intently. 
 She glanced over her shoulder so Mickey piled the pillows 
 higher. Then she looked at him. Mickey bent to 
 scrutinize her closely. 
 
 "You're clean kid, clean as a plate!" he assured her. 
 "Honest you are! You needn't worry about that. I'll 
 always keep you washed clean. She was more particular 
 about that than anything else. Don't you fret about 
 my having a dirty girl around! You're clean, all 
 right!" 
 
 Peaches sighed as she returned the mirror. Mickey re-
 
 122 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 placed it, laid the slate and ribbons in reach, washed the 
 dishes, then the sheets he had removed, and their soiled 
 clothing. Peaches lay folding and unfolding the ribbons; 
 asking questions while Mickey worked, or with the pencil 
 tracing her best imitations of the name on the slate. By 
 the time he had finished everything to be done and drawn a 
 chair beside the bed, to see if she had learned her lesson for 
 the day, it was cool evening. She knew all the words he 
 had given her, so he proceeded to write them on the slate. 
 Then told her about the big man named Douglas Bruce 
 and the lovely girl named Leslie Winton, also every word he 
 could remember about the house she lived in; then he 
 added: "Lily, do you like to be surprised better or do you 
 like to think things over?" 
 
 "I don't know/' said Peaches. 
 
 "Well, before long, I'll know," said Mickey. "What I 
 was thinking was this: you are going to have something. 
 I just wondered whether you'd rather know it was coming, 
 or have me walk in with it and surprise you." 
 
 "Mickey, you just walk in," she decided. 
 
 "All right! "said Mickey. 
 
 "Mickey, write on the other side of my slate what you 
 said at the door to-night," she coaxed. "Get a little book 
 an' write 'em all down. Mickey, I want to learn all of 
 them, when I c'n read. Lemme tell you. You make all 
 you c'n think of. Nen make more. An' make 'em, an' 
 make 'em! An' when you get big as you're goin' to be, 
 make books of 'em, an' be a poet-man 'stead of sellin' 
 papers." 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "I'd just as lief be a poet-man
 
 LITTLE BROTHER 123 
 
 as not! I'd write a big one all about a little yellow-haired 
 girl named Lily Peaches, and I'd put it on the front page of 
 the Herald I Honest I would! I'd like to!" 
 
 "Gee!" said Peaches. "You go on an' grow hel 
 wope! I mean hurry! Hurry an' grow up !"
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 
 
 " "W ESLIE," said the voice of Mrs. James Minturn 
 over the telephone, "is there any particular time 
 
 ^ of the day when that bird of yours sings better 
 than at another?" 
 
 "Morning, Mrs. Minturn; five, the latest. At that time 
 one hears the full chorus, and sees the perfect beauty. 
 Really, I wouldn't ask you, if I were not sure, positively 
 sure, that you'd find the trip worth while." 
 
 "I'll be ready in the morning, but that's an unearthly 
 hour!" came the protest. 
 
 " It is almost unearthly sights and sounds to which you 
 are going," answered Leslie. "And be sure you wear suit- 
 able clothing." 
 
 "What do you call suitable clothing?" 
 
 "High heavy shoes," said Leslie, "short stout 
 skirts." 
 
 "As if I had such things!" laughed Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Let me send you something of mine," offered Leslie. 
 "I've enough for two." 
 
 "You're not figuring on really going in one of those aw- 
 ful places, are you?" questioned Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Surely!" cried Leslie. "The birds won't sing to an 
 automobile. And you wouldn't miss seeing such flowers 
 
 124
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 125 
 
 on their stems as you saw at Lowry's for any money. It 
 will be something to tell your friends about." 
 
 "Send what I should have. I'd ride a llama through a 
 sea of champagne for a new experience." 
 
 Mrs. Minturn turned from the telephone with a con- 
 temptuous sneer on her face; but Leslie's gay laugh per- 
 sisted in her ears. Restlessly she moved through her 
 rooms thinking what she might do to divert herself, and 
 shrinking from all the tiresome things she had been doing 
 for years until there was not a drop of the fresh juice of life 
 to be extracted from them. 
 
 "I'm going to take a bath, go to bed early and see if I 
 can sleep," she muttered. "I don't know what it is that 
 James is contemplating, but his face haunts me. Really, 
 if he doesn't be more civil, and stop his morose glowering 
 when I do see him, I'll put him or myself where we won't 
 come in contact. He makes it plain every day that he 
 blames me about Elizabeth. Why should he ? He couldn't 
 possibly know of the call of that wild-eyed reformer. So 
 unfortunate that she should come just at that time too! 
 Of course hundreds of children die from spoiled milk every 
 summer, the rich as well as the poor. I'll never get over 
 regretting that I didn't finish what I started to do; but I'd 
 scarcely touched her in her life. She always was so pink 
 and warm, and that awful whiteness chilled me to the soul. 
 I wish I had driven, forced myself! Then I could defy 
 James with more spirit. That's what I lack spirit ! 
 Maybe this trip to the swamp will steady my nerves! 
 Something must be done soon, and I believe, actually I be- 
 lieve he is thinking of doing it ! Pooh ! What could he do ?
 
 126 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 There isn't an irregularity in my life he can lay his fingers 
 on!" 
 
 She rang for her maid and cancelling two engagements 
 for the evening, went to bed, but not to sleep. When she 
 was called early in the morning, she gladly arose, and was 
 dressed in Leslie Winton's short skirts, a waist of khaki, 
 and high shoes near enough her size to be comfortable. 
 Her bath had refreshed her, a cup of hot coffee stimulated 
 her, and despite the lack of sleep she felt better than she 
 had that spring as she went down to the car. On the 
 threshold she met her husband. Evidently he had been 
 out all night on strenuous business. His face was hag- 
 gard, his eyes bloodshot, while in both hands he gripped a 
 small, square paper-wrapped package. They looked at 
 each other a second that seemed long to both, then the 
 woman laughed. 
 
 "Evidently an accounting is expected," she said. 
 "Leslie Winton at the door and the roll of music I carry 
 should be sufficient to prove why I am going out at this 
 hour. You heard us make the arrangement. Thank 
 Heaven I've no interest in knowing where you have been, 
 or what your precious package contains." 
 
 His expression and condition frightened her. 
 
 "For the weight of a straw overbalance," he said, "only 
 for a hint that you have a soul, I'd freeze it for all time 
 with the contents of this package." 
 
 "A threat? You to me?" she cried in amazement. 
 
 "Verily, Madam," he said. "I wish you all the joy of 
 the birds and the flowers this morning." 
 
 "You've gone mad!" she cried.
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 127 
 
 "Contrarily, I have come to my senses after years of in- 
 sanity," he said. "I will see you when you return." 
 
 She stood bewildered, watching him go down the hall and 
 enter his library. That and his sleeping room were the only 
 places in the house sacred to him. No one entered, no one, 
 not even the incorrigible children, touched anything there. 
 She slowly went to the car, trying to rally to Leslie's greet- 
 ing, struggling to fix her mind on anything pointed out to 
 her as something she might enjoy. 
 
 At last she said: "I don't know what is the matter with 
 me Leslie. James is planning something, I haven't an 
 idea what; but his grim, reproachful face is slowly driving 
 me wild. I'm getting so I can't sleep. You saw him 
 come home as I left. He talked positively crazy, as if he 
 had the crack of doom in his hands and were prepared to 
 crack it. He said he 'would see me when I came back.' 
 Indeed he will to his sorrow! He will be as he used to be, 
 or we will separate. The idea, with scarcely a cent to his 
 name, of him undertaking to dictate to me, to me I Do you 
 blame me Leslie? You heard him the other day! You 
 know how he insulted me ! " 
 
 Leslie leaned forward, laying a firm hand in a grip on 
 Mrs. Minturn's arm. 
 
 " Since you ask me," she said, " I will answer. If you 
 find life with Mr. Minturn insufferable, an agony to both 
 of you, I would separate, and speedily. If it has come to 
 the place where you can't see each other or speak without 
 falling into unpleasantness, then I'd keep apart." 
 
 "That is exactly the case!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "Oh 
 Leslie, I am so glad you agree with me!"
 
 128 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 **But I haven't finished," said Leslie, "you interrupted 
 me in the middle. If you are absolutely sure you can't go 
 on peaceably, I would stop; but if I once had loved a man 
 enough to give my life and my happiness into his keeping, 
 to make him the father of my children, I would not sepa- 
 rate from him, until I had exhausted every resource, to see 
 if I couldn't in some possible way end with credit." . 
 
 "If you had been through what I have," said Mrs. Min- 
 turn, "you wouldn't endure it any longer." 
 
 "Perhaps," said Leslie. "But you see dear Mrs. Min- 
 turn, I am handicapped by not knowing what you have 
 been through. To your world you appear to be a woman 
 of great wealth, who does exactly as she pleases and pays 
 her own bills. You seem to have unlimited money, power, 
 position, leisure for anything you fancy. I'll wager you 
 don't know the names of half the servants in your house; 
 a skillful housekeeper takes the responsibility off your 
 hands. You never are seen in public with your children; 
 competent nurses care for them. You don't appear with 
 your husband any more; yet he is a man of fine brain, un- 
 impeachable character, who handles big affairs for other 
 men, and father says he believes his bank account would 
 surprise you. He has been in business for years; surely all 
 he makes doesn't go to other men." 
 
 "You know I never thought of that!" cried Mrs. Min- 
 turn. "He had nothing to begin on and I've always kept 
 our establishment; he's never paid for more than his cloth- 
 ing. Do you suppose that he has made money?" 
 
 "I know that he has!" said Leslie. "Not so fast as he 
 might! Not so much as he could, for he is incorruptible;
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 129 
 
 but money, yes! He is a powerful man, not only in the 
 city, but all over the state. Some of these days you're 
 going to wake up to find him a Senator, or Governor. 
 You seem to be the only person who doesn't know it, or 
 who doesn't care if you do. But when it comes about, as 
 it will, you'll be so proud of him! Dear Mrs. Minturn, 
 please, please go slowly! Don't, oh don't let anything 
 happen that will make a big regret for both." 
 
 "Leslie, where did you get all this?" asked Mrs. Min- 
 turn in tones of mingled interest and surprise. 
 
 "From my father!" answered Leslie. "And from 
 Douglas Bruce. Douglas' office is across the hall from 
 Mr. Minturn's; they meet daily, and from the first they 
 have been friends. Mr. Minturn took Douglas to his 
 clubs, introduced him and helped him into business, so 
 often they work together. Why only yesterday Douglas 
 came to me filled with delight. Mr. Minturn secured an 
 appointment for him to make an investigation for the city 
 which will be a great help to Douglas. It will bring him in 
 contact with prominent men, give him big work and a 
 sample of how mercenary I am it will bring him big pay 
 and he knows how to use the money in a big way. Douglas 
 knows Mr. Minturn so well, and respects him so highly, 
 yet no one can know him as you do " 
 
 "That is quite true! I live with him! I know the 
 real man!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "How mean of you!" laughed Leslie, "to distort my 
 reasoning like that! I don't ask you to think up all the 
 little things that have massed into one big grievance against 
 him; I mean stop that for to-day, out here in the country
 
 1 30 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 where everything is so lovely, and go back where I 
 am." 
 
 "He surely has an advocate! Leslie, when did you start 
 making an especial study of Mr. Minturn?" 
 
 "When Douglas Bruce began speaking to me so fre- 
 quently of him!" answered Leslie. "Then I commenced 
 to watch him and to listen to what people were saying 
 about him, and to ask Daddy." 
 
 "It's very funny that every one seems so well in- 
 formed and so enthusiastic just at the time when I feel 
 that life is unendurable with him," said Mrs. Minturn. 
 "I can't understand it!" 
 
 "Mrs. Minturn, try, oh do try to get my viewpoint be- 
 fore you do anything irreparable," begged Leslie. "Away 
 up here in the woods let's think it out! Let's discuss 
 James Minturn in every phase of his nature and see if the 
 big manly part doesn't far outweigh the little irritations. 
 Let's see if you can't possibly go to the meeting he wants 
 when we return with a balance struck in his favour. A 
 divorced woman is always well, it's disagreeable. Alone 
 you'd feel stranded. Attempt marrying again, where 
 would you find a man with half the points that count for 
 good, to replace him? In after years when your children 
 realize the man he is, how are you going to explain to 
 them why you couldn't live with him?" 
 
 "From your rush of words, it is evident you have your 
 arguments at hand," said Mrs. Minturn. "You've been 
 thinking more about my affairs than I ever did. You 
 bring up points I never have thought of; you make me 
 see things that would not have occurred to me; yet as you
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 131 
 
 put them, they have awful force. You haven't exactly 
 said it, but what you mean is that you believe me in the 
 wrong; so do all my friends. All of you sympathize with 
 Mr. Minturn! All of you think him a big man worthy of 
 every consideration and me deserving none." 
 
 "You're putting that too strong," retorted Leslie. 
 "You are right about Mr. Minturn; but I won't admit that 
 I find you 'worthy of no consideration at all,' or I wouldn't 
 be imploring you to give yourself a chance at happiness." 
 
 " 'Give myself a chance at happiness !' ' 
 
 "Dear Mrs. Minturn, yes!" said Leslie. "All your life, 
 so far, you have lived absolutely for yourself; for your per- 
 sonal pleasure. Has happiness resulted?" 
 
 "Happiness?" cried Mrs. Minturn in amazement. 
 "You little fool! With my husband practically a mad- 
 man, my children incorrigible, my nerves on edge until I 
 can't sleep, because one thought comes over and over." 
 
 "Well you achieved it in society!" said Leslie. "It's 
 the result of doing exactly what you wanted to! You 
 can't say James Minturn was to blame for what you had 
 the money and the desire to do. You can't think your 
 babies wouldn't have preferred their mother to the nurses 
 and governesses they have had " 
 
 "If you say another word about that I'll jump from 
 the car and break my neck," threatened Mrs. Minturn. 
 "No one sympathizes with me!" 
 
 "That is untrue," said Leslie. "I care, or I wouldn't 
 be doing what I am now. And as for sympathy, I haven't 
 a doubt but every woman of your especial set will weep 
 tears of condolence with you, if you'll tell them what you
 
 i 3 2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 have me. There is Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Farley, and a 
 <iozen women among your dearest friends who have di- 
 vorced their husbands, and are free lances or remarried; 
 you can have friends enough to suit you in any event." 
 
 "Fools! Shallow-pated fools!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 
 ""They never read anything! Their idea of any art would 
 convulse you! They don't know a note of real music!" 
 
 "But they are your best friends," interposed Leslie. 
 *'What then is their attraction?" 
 
 "I am sure I don't know!" said Mrs. Minturn. "I sup- 
 pose it's unlimited means to follow any fad or fancy, to 
 live extravagantly as they choose, to dress faultlessly as 
 they have taste, freedom to go as they please! Oh they do 
 have a good time!" 
 
 "Are you sure that they didn't go through the same 
 *good time' you are having right now, before they lost 
 the men they loved and married, and then became mothers 
 who later deliberately orphaned their own children?" 
 
 "Leslie, for God's sake where did you learn it?" cried 
 Mrs. Minturn. "How can you hit like that? You make 
 me feel like a like a ! Oh Lord ! " 
 
 "Don't let's talk any more, Mrs. Minturn," suggested 
 Leslie. "You know what all refined, home-loving people 
 think. You know society and what it has to offer. You're 
 making yourself unhappy, while I am helping you, but 
 if some one doesn't stop you, you may lose the love of a 
 good man, the respect of the people worth while, and 
 later of your own children! See, here is the swamp and 
 this is as close as we can go with the car." 
 
 "Is this where you found the flowers for your basket?"
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 133 
 
 "Yes," said Leslie. 
 
 "No snakes, no quicksands?" 
 
 "Snakes don't like this kind of moss," answered Leslie; 
 "this is an old lake bed grown up with tamaracks and the 
 bog of a thousand years." 
 
 "Looks as if ten thousand might come closer!" 
 
 "Were you ever in such a place?" asked Leslie. 
 
 "Never!" said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Well to do this to perfection," said Leslie, "we should 
 go far enough for you to see the home life of our rarest wild 
 flowers and to get the music full effect. We must look for 
 a high place to spread this waterproof sheet I have brought 
 along, then nestle down and keep still. The birds will see 
 us going in, but if we make ourselves inconspicuous, they 
 will soon forget us. Have you the score ? " 
 
 "Yes," answered Mrs. Minturn. "Go ahead!" 
 
 Leslie had not expected Mrs. Minturn's calm tones and 
 placid acceptance of the swamp. The girl sent one search- 
 ing look the woman's way, then came enlightenment. This 
 was a stunt. Mrs. Minturn had been doing stunts in the 
 hope of new sensations all her life. What others could 
 do, she could, if she chose; in this instance she chose to 
 penetrate a tamarack swamp at six o'clock in the morning, 
 to listen to the notes of a bird. 
 
 "I'll select the highest places and go as nearly where we 
 were as I can," said Leslie. "If you step in my tracks 
 you'll be all right." 
 
 "Why, you're not afraid, are you?" asked Mrs. Min- 
 turn. 
 
 "Not in the least," said Leslie. "Are you ? '*
 
 i 3 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "No!" said Mrs. T'.iintum. "One strikes almost every- 
 thing motoring through the country, in the mountains or 
 at sea, and travelling. This looks interesting. How deep 
 could one sink anyway ? " 
 
 " Deeply enough to satisfy you," laughed Leslie. " Come 
 quietly now!" 
 
 Grasping the score she carried, Mrs. Minturn uncon- 
 cernedly plunged after Leslie. Purposely the girl went 
 slowly, stooping beneath branches, skirting too wet places, 
 slipping over the high hummocks, turning to indicate by 
 gesture a moss bed, a flower, or glancing upward to try to 
 catch a glimpse of some entrancing musician. 
 
 Once Leslie turned to look back and saw Mrs. Minturn 
 on her knees separating the silvery green moss heads and 
 thrusting her hand deeply to learn the length of the roots. 
 She noticed the lady's absorbed face, and the wet patches 
 spreading around her knees. Leslie fancied she could see 
 Mrs. Minturn entering the next gathering of her friends, 
 smiling faintly and crying: "Dear people, I've had a per- 
 fectly new experience!" She could hear every tone of 
 Mrs. Minturn's voice saying: "Ferns as luxuriant as any- 
 thing in Florida! Moss beds several feet deep. A hun- 
 dred birds singing, and all before sunrise, my dears!" 
 
 When Mrs. Minturn arose Leslie went forward slowly 
 until she reached the moccasin flowers, but remembering, 
 she did not stop. The woman did. She stooped and 
 Leslie winced as she snapped one to examine it critically. 
 She held it up in the gray light, turning it. 
 
 " Did you ever see little Elizabeth ? " she asked. 
 
 "Yes," said Leslie.
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 135 
 
 "Do you think ?" She stopped abruptly. 
 
 "That one is too deep," said Leslie. "The colour he 
 saw was on a freshly opened one like that." 
 
 She pointed to a paler moccasin of exquisite pink with 
 red lavender veining. Mrs. Minturn assented. 
 
 "He can't forget anything," she said, "or let any one 
 else. He always will keep harping." 
 
 "We were peculiarly unfortunate that day," said Leslie. 
 "He really had no intention of saying anything, if he 
 hadn't been forced." 
 
 "Oh he doesn't require forcing," said Mrs. Minturn. 
 "He's always at the overflow point about her." 
 
 "Perhaps he was very fond of her," suggested Leslie. 
 
 "He was perfectly foolish about her," said Mrs. Min- 
 turn impatiently. "I lost a nurse or two through his in- 
 terference. When I got such a treasure as Lucette I just 
 told her to take complete charge, make him attend his 
 own affairs, and not try being a nursery maid. It really 
 isn't done these days!" 
 
 Leslie closed her lips, moving forward until she reached 
 the space where the ragged boys and the fringed girls 
 floated their white banners, where lacy yellow and laven- 
 der blooms caressed each other, there on the highest place 
 she could select, across a moss-covered log, she spread the 
 waterproof sheet, and seating herself, motioned Mrs. Min- 
 turn to do the same. She reached for the music and open- 
 ing it ran over the score. Her finger paused on the notes 
 she had whistled, while with eager face she sat waiting. 
 
 Mrs. Minturn dropped into an attitude of tense listen- 
 ing. The sun began dissipating the gray mists and
 
 136 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 heightening the exquisite tints on all sides. Every green 
 imaginable was there from palest silver to the deepest, 
 darkest shades; all dew wet, rankly growing, gold tinted 
 and showing clearer each minute. Gradually Mrs. Min- 
 turn relaxed, made herself comfortable as possible, then 
 turned to the orchids of. the open space. The colour 
 flushed and faded on her tired face, she nervously rolled 
 the moccasin stem in her fingers, or looked long at the 
 delicate flower. She was thinking so intently that Leslie 
 saw she was neither seeing the swamp, nor hearing the birds. 
 
 It was then that a little gray singer straying through 
 the tamaracks sent a wireless to his mate in the bushes of 
 borderland, in which he wished to convey to her all 
 there was in his heart about the wonders of spring, the 
 joy of mating, the love of her, and their nest. He waited 
 a second, then tucking his tail, swelled his throat, and made 
 sure he had done his best. 
 
 At the first measure, Leslie thrust the sheet before Mrs. 
 Minturn, pointing to the place. Instantly the woman 
 scanned the score, then leaned forward listening. As the 
 bird flew, Leslie faced Mrs. Minturn with questioning 
 eyes. She cried softly: "He did it! Perfectly! If I 
 hadn't heard I never would have believed." 
 
 "There is another that can do this from Verdi's Travi- 
 ata." Leslie whistled the notes. "Get the strain in your 
 mind, we may hear him also." 
 
 Again they waited. Leslie realized that Mrs. Minturn 
 was not listening, and would have to be recalled if the bird 
 sang. Leslie sat silent. The same bird sang, and others, 
 but to the girl had come the intuition that Mrs. Minturn
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 137 
 
 was having her hour in the garden, so wisely she remained 
 silent. After an interminable time she arose, making her 
 way forward as far as she could penetrate and still see the 
 figure of the woman, then hunting an old stump, climbed 
 upon it and did some thinking herself. 
 
 At last she returned to the motionless figure. Mrs. 
 Minturn was leaning against the tamarack's scraggy 
 trunk, her head resting on a branch, lightly sleeping. A 
 rivulet staining her cheeks from each eye showed where 
 slow tears had slipped from under her closed lids. Leslie's 
 heart ached with pity. She thought she never had seen 
 any one seem so sad, so alone, so punished for sins of in- 
 heritance and rearing. She sat beside Mrs. Minturn, wait- 
 ing until she awakened. 
 
 "Why I must have fallen asleep!" she cried. 
 
 "For a minute," said Leslie. 
 
 "But I feel as if I had rested soundly a whole night," 
 said Mrs. Minturn. "I'm so refreshed. And there goes 
 that bird again. Verdi to take his notes! Who ever 
 would have thought of it ? Leslie, did you bring any lunch ? 
 I'm famished." 
 
 "We must go back to the car," said Leslie. 
 
 They spread the waterproof sheet on the ground where 
 it would be bordered with daintily traced partridge berry, 
 and white-lined plantain leaves, and sitting on it ate their 
 lunch. Leslie did what she could to interest Mrs. Min- 
 turn and cheer her, but at last that lady said : "Thank you 
 dear, you are very good to me; but you can't entertain me 
 to-day. Some other time we'll come back and bring the 
 scores you suggest, and see what we can really hear from
 
 i 3 8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 these birds. But to-day, I've got the battle of my life to 
 fight. Something is coming; I should be in a measure pre- 
 pared, and as I don't know what to expect, it takes all the 
 brains I have to figure things out." 
 
 "You don't know, Mrs. Minturn?" asked Leslie. 
 
 "No," she said wearily. "I know James hates the life I 
 lead; he thinks my time wasted. I know he's a disap- 
 pointed man, because he thought when he married me he 
 could cut me out of everything worth while in the world, 
 and set me to waiting on him, and nursing his children. 
 Every single thing I have done since, or wanted or had, has 
 been a disappointment to him. I know now he never would 
 have married me, if he hadn't figured he was going to make 
 me over; shape me and my life to suit his whims, and 
 throw away my money to please his fancies. He's been 
 utterly discontented since Elizabeth was born. Why 
 Leslie, we haven't lived together since then. He said if I 
 were going to persist in bringing 'orphans' into the world, 
 babies I wouldn't mother myself, or wouldn't allow him to 
 father/there would be no more children. I laughed at him, 
 because I didn't think he meant it; but he did, so that 
 ended even a semblance of content. Half the time I don't 
 know where he is, or what he is doing; he seldom knows 
 where I am;, if we appear together it is accidental; I 
 thought I had my mind made up to leave him, and soon; 
 but what you say, coupled with doubts I had myself, have 
 set me to thinking, till I don't know. I hate a scandal. 
 You know how careful I always have been. AH my 
 closest friends have jeered me for a prude; there isn't a 
 flaw he can find, there has been none! Absolutely none!"
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 139 
 
 "Certainly not," said Leslie. "Every one knows that." 
 
 "Leslie, you don't know, do you?" asked Mrs. Minturn. 
 "He didn't say anything to Bruce, did he?" 
 
 "You want an honest answer?" questioned Leslie. 
 
 "Of course I do!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Douglas did tell me in connection with Mr. Minturn 
 joining the Brotherhood and taking a gamin from the 
 streets into his office, that he said he was scarcely allowed 
 to see his own sons, not to exercise the slightest control, so 
 he was going to try his theories on a Little Brother. But 
 Douglas wouldn't mention it, only to me, and of course I 
 wouldn't repeat it to any one. Mr. Minturn seemed to 
 feel that Douglas thought it peculiar for a man having 
 sons, to take so much pains with a newsboy; they're great 
 friends, so he said that much to Bruce." 
 
 "'He said that much '" scoffed Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Well, even so, that is very little compared with what 
 you've said about him to me," retorted Leslie. "You 
 shouldn't complain on that score." 
 
 "I suppose, in your eyes, I shouldn't complain about 
 anything," said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "A world of things, Mrs. Minturn, but not the ones you 
 do," said Leslie. 
 
 "Oh! "cried Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "I think your grievance is that you were born in, and 
 reared for, society," said Leslie, "and in your extremity it 
 has failed you. I believe I can give you more help to-day 
 than any woman of your age and intimate association." 
 
 "That's true Leslie, quite true!" exclaimed Mrs. Min- 
 turn eagerly. "And I need help! Oh I do!"
 
 i 4 o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 " You poor soul, you ! " comforted Leslie. " Turn where 
 you belong! Turn to your own blood!' 
 
 "My mother would jeer me for a weakling," said Mrs. 
 Minturn. " She has urged me to divorce James, ever since 
 Llizabeth was born." 
 
 "I didn't mean your mother," said Leslie. "I meant 
 closer relatives, I meant your husband and sons." 
 
 "My husband would probably tell me he had lost all re- 
 spect for me, while my sons would very likely pull my hair 
 and kick my shins if I knelt to them for sympathy," said 
 Mrs. Minturn. "They are perfect little animals." 
 
 "Oh Mrs. Minturn!" cried Leslie amazed. "Then you 
 simply must take them in charge and save them; they are 
 so fine looking, while you're their mother, you are!" 
 
 "It means giving up life as I have known it always, just 
 about everything!" said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Look at yourself now!" said Leslie. "I should think 
 you would be glad to give up your present state." 
 
 "Leslie, do you think it wrong to gather those orchids?" 
 
 "I think it unpardonable sin to exterminate them," an- 
 swered Leslie. " If you have any reason for wanting a few, 
 and merely gather the flowers, leaving the roots to spread 
 and bloom another year, I should say take them." 
 
 "Will you wait in the car until I go back?" she asked. 
 
 "I will go with you," offered Leslie. 
 
 " But I wish to be alone," said Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "You're not afraid? You won't become lost?" 
 
 "I am not afraid, and I will not lose myself," said Mrs, 
 Minturn. "Must I hurry?" 
 
 "Take all the time you want," said Leslie.
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 141 
 
 It was mid-afternoon when she returned, her hands 
 filled with a dripping moss ball in which she had embedded 
 the stems of a mass of feathery pink-fringed orchids. Her 
 face was flushed with tears, but her eyes were bright, her 
 step quick and alert. 
 
 "Leslie, what do you think I am going to do?" she 
 cried. Then without awaiting a reply: "I'm going to ask 
 James to go with me to take these to Elizabeth, to beg him 
 to forgive my neglect of her; to pledge the rest of my life 
 to him and the boys." 
 
 Leslie caught Mrs. Minturn in her arms. "Oh you 
 darling!" she exulted. "Oh you brave, wonderful girl!'* 
 
 "After all, it's no more than fair," Mrs. Minturn said. 
 "I have had everything my way since we were married. 
 And I did love James. He's the only man I ever have 
 known that I really wanted. Leslie, he will forgive me and 
 start over, won't he?" 
 
 "He'll be at your feet!" cried Leslie. 
 
 "Fortunately, I have decided to be at his," said Mrs. 
 Minturn. "I've reached the place where I will even wipe 
 James Jr.'s nose and dress Malcolm, and fix James' studs 
 if it will help me to sleep, and have only a tinge of what you 
 seem to be running over with. Leslie, you are the most 
 joyous soul I know." 
 
 "You see, I never had to think about myself," said 
 Leslie. "Daddy always thought for me, so there was 
 nothing left for me to spend my time and thought on but 
 him. It was a beautiful arrangement." 
 
 "Leslie, this is your car, but won't you dear, drive fast!" 
 begged Mrs. Minturn.
 
 J4 2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Of course Nellie!" exclaimed the girl. 
 
 " Leslie, will you stand by me, and show me the way, all 
 you can?" asked Mrs. Minturn anxiously. "I'll lose 
 every friend I have got; my house must be torn down and 
 built up from the basement on a new system, as to man- 
 agement; and I haven't an idea how to do it. Oh I hope 
 James will know, and can help me." 
 
 "You may be sure James will know and can help you," 
 comforted Leslie. "You'll be leaving for the seashore in 
 a few days; install a complete new retinue, and begin all 
 fresh. Half the servants you keep, really competent and 
 interested in their work, would make you far more com- 
 fortable than you are now." 
 
 "Yes, I think that too!" agreed Mrs. Minturn eagerly. 
 "Some way I feel as if I were turning against Lucette. I 
 never want to see her again, after I tell her to go; not that I 
 know what I shall do without her. The boys will prob- 
 ably burn down the house, and where I'll find a woman 
 who will tolerate them, I don't know." 
 
 "Employ a man until you get control," suggested Les- 
 lie. "They are both old enough; hire a man, and explain 
 all you want to him. They'd be afraid of a man." 
 
 "Afraid!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "They are afraid of 
 Lucette! I can't understand it. I wonder if James 
 
 " Poor James ! " laughed Leslie. " Honestly Nellie, don't 
 impose too much of your your work on him. Undertake 
 it yourself. Show him what a woman you are." 
 
 "Great Heavens, Leslie, you don't know what you are 
 saying!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "My only hope lies in de- 
 ceiving him. If I showed him the woman I am, as I saw
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 143 
 
 myself back there in that swamp an hour ago, he'd take 
 one look, and strangle me for the public good." 
 
 "How ridiculous!" exclaimed Leslie. "Why must a 
 woman always rush from one extreme to the other? 
 Choose a middle course and keep it." 
 
 "That's what I am telling you I must do," said Mrs. 
 Minturn. "Leslie, it is wonderful how I feel. I'm almost 
 flying. Do you honestly think it is possible that there is 
 going to be something new, something interesting, some- 
 thing really worth while in the world for me?" 
 
 "I know it," said Leslie. "Such interest, such novelty, 
 such joy as you never have experienced!" 
 
 With that hope in her heart, her eyes filled with excite- 
 ment, Nellie Minturn rang her bell, ran past her footman 
 and hurried up the stairs. She laid her flowers on a table, 
 summoned her maid, then began throwing off her hat and 
 outer clothing. 
 
 "Do you know if Mr. Minturn is here?" 
 
 "Yes. He " began the maid. 
 
 "Never mind what ' he.' Get out the prettiest, simplest 
 dress I own, and the most becoming," she ordered. "Be 
 quick! Can't you see I'm in a hurry?" 
 
 "Mrs. Minturn, I think you will thank me for telling 
 you there is an awful row in the library," said the maid. 
 
 " 'An awful row ? ' ' Mrs. Minturn paused. 
 
 "Yes. I think they are killing Lucette," explained the 
 maid. " She's shrieked bloody murder two or three times." 
 
 " Who ? What do you mean ? " demanded Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 She slipped on the bathrobe she had picked up, and 
 stood holding it together, gazing at the maid.
 
 i 44 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Mr. Minturn came with two men. One was a park 
 policeman we know. They went into the library and sent 
 for Lucette. There she goes again!" 
 
 "Is there any way I could see, could hear, what is going 
 on, without being seen ? " 
 
 "There's a door to the den from the back hall, and that 
 leads to the library-," suggested the maid. "You'd have a 
 chance there." 
 
 "Show me! Help me!" begged Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 As they passed the table the orchids hanging over the 
 edge caught on the trailing robe and started to fall. Mrs. 
 Minturn paused to push them back, then studied the 
 flowers an instant, and catching up the bunch carried 
 it along. She closed the den door after her without a 
 sound, and creeping beside the wall, hid behind the door 
 curtain and peeped into the library. There were two men 
 who evidently were a detective and a policeman. She 
 saw Lucette backed against the wall, her hands clenched, 
 her eyes wild with fear. She saw her husband's back, and 
 on the table beside him a little box, open, its wrappings 
 near, its contents terrifying to the woman 
 
 "To sum up then," said Mr. Minturn in tones she never 
 before had heard : " I can put on oath this man, who will be 
 forced to tell what he witnessed or be impeached by others 
 who saw it at the same time, and are ready to testify to 
 what he said; I can produce the boy who came to tell me 
 the part he took in it; I have the affidavit and have just 
 come from the woman who interfered and followed you 
 here in an effort to save Elizabeth; I have this piece of 
 work in my hands, done by one of the greatest scientists
 
 THE SONG OF A BIRD 145 
 
 and two of the best surgeons living. Although you 
 shrink from it, I take pleasure in showing it to you. 
 This ragged seam is an impress of the crack you made in a 
 tiny skull lying in a vault out at Forest Hill." 
 
 He paused, holding a plaster cast before the woman. 
 
 "It's a little bit of a thing," he said deliberately. "She 
 was a tiny creature to have been done to death at your 
 hands. I hope you will see that small pink face as I see 
 it, and feel the soft hair in your fingers, and after all, I 
 can't go on with that. But I am telling you, and showing 
 you exactly what you are facing, because you must go 
 from this house with these men; your things will be sent. 
 You must leave this city and this country on the boat 
 they take you to, and where you go you will be watched; 
 if ever you dare take service handling a child again, I shall 
 have you promptly arrested and forced to answer for the 
 cold-blooded murder of my little daughter. Live you 
 must, I suppose, but not longer by the torture of children. 
 Go, before I strangle you as you deserve!" 
 
 How Mrs. Minturn came to be standing beside her hus- 
 band, she never afterward knew; only that she was, pulling 
 down his arm to stare at the white cast. Then she looked 
 up at him and said simply: "But Lucette didn't murder 
 her; it was I. I was her mother. I knew she was beaten. 
 I knew she was abused ! I didn't stop my pleasure to inter- 
 fere, lest I should lose a minute by having to see to her 
 myself! A woman did come to me, and a boy! I knew 
 they were telling the truth! I didn't know it was so bad, 
 but I knew it must have been dreadful, to bring them. I 
 had my chance to save her. I went to her as the woman
 
 146 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 told me to, and because she was quiet, I didn't even turn 
 her over. I didn't run a ringer across her little head. I 
 didn't call a surgeon. I preferred an hour of pleasure to 
 taking the risk of being dis:urbed. I am quite as guilty as 
 Lucette! Have them take me with her." 
 
 James Minturn stepped back, gazing at his wife. Then 
 he motioned the men toward the door, so with the woman 
 they left the room. 
 
 "Lucette just had her sentence," he said, "now for 
 yours! Words are useless! I am leaving your house 
 with my sons. They are my sons, and with the proof 
 I hold, you will not claim them. If you do, you will not 
 get them. I am taking them to the kind of a house I 
 deem suitable for them, and to such care as I can provide. 
 I shall keep them in my presence constantly as possible 
 until I see just what harm has been done, and how to 
 remedy what can be changed. I shall provide such teach- 
 ers as I see fit for them, and devote the remainder of my 
 life to them. All I ask of you is to spare them the dis- 
 grace of forcing me to prove my right to them, or ever 
 having them realize just what happened to their sister, and 
 your part in it." 
 
 She held the flowers toward him. 
 
 " I brought these " she began, then paused. "You 
 wouldn't believe me, if I should tell you. You are right ! 
 Perfectly justified! Of course I shall not bring this before 
 the public. Go!" 
 
 At the door he looked back. She had dropped into a 
 chair beside the table, holding the cast in one hand, the 
 fringed orchids in the other.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 
 
 <7 
 
 D ain't made a sweeter girl 
 
 Lily, 'at keeps my heart a-zvhirl. 
 If I was to tell an awful whopper, 
 I'd get took by the cross old copper." 
 
 Mickey. 
 
 Thus chanted Mickey at his door, his hands behind 
 him. Peaches stretched both hers toward him as usual; 
 but he stood still, swinging in front of him a beautiful doll, 
 for a little sick girl. A baby doll in a long snowy dress 
 and a lace cap; it held outstretched arms, but was not 
 heavy enough to tire small wavering hands. Peaches 
 lunged forward until only Mickey's agility saved her 
 from falling. He tossed the doll on the bed, and caught 
 the child, the lump in his throat so big his voice was 
 strained as he cried: "Why you silly thing!" 
 
 With her safe he again proffered it. Peaches shut her 
 eyes and buried her face on his breast. 
 
 "Oh don't let me see it! Take it away!" 
 
 "Why Lily! I thought you'd be crazy about it," mar- 
 velled Mickey. "Honest I did! The prettiest lady sent 
 it to you. Let me tell you ! " 
 
 "Giving them up is worser 'an never having them. 
 Take it away!" wailed Peaches. 
 
 147
 
 i 4 8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Well Lily!" said Mickey. "I never was stuck up 
 about my looks, but I didn't s'pose I looked so like a 
 granny that you'd think that of me. Don't I seem man 
 enough to take care of a little flowersy-girl 'thout selling 
 her doll ? There's where I got your granny skinned a mile. 
 I don't booze, and I never will. Mother hammered that 
 into me. Now look what a pretty it is ! You'll just love 
 it! I wouldn't take it! I'd lay out anybody who would. 
 Come on now! Negotiate it! Get your flippers on it!" 
 
 He was holding the child gently and stroking her tum- 
 bled hair. When he put her from him to see her face, 
 Mickey was filled with envy because he had been forced 
 to admit the gift was not from him. He shut his lips 
 tight, but his face was grim as he studied Peaches' flushed 
 cheeks and wet eyes, and noted the shaking eagerness for 
 the doll she was afraid to look at. He reached over and 
 put it into her arms, then piled the pillows so she could 
 see better, talking the while to comfort her. 
 
 "Course it is yours! Course nobody is going to take it! 
 Course you shall always have it, and maybe a grown-up 
 lady doll by Christmas. Who knows?" 
 
 In utter content Peaches sank against the pillows, 
 watching Mickey, while she gripped the baby. 
 
 "Thank you, Mickey-lovest," she said. "Oh thank 
 you for this Precious Child!" 
 
 "You got to thank a lady about twice my height, with 
 dark hair, pink cheeks, and beautiful dresses. She's 
 got a big rest house, a lover man, and an automobile 
 I wish you could see, Lily," he said. 
 
 "If I was on the rags in the corner, I'd have this child
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 149 
 
 wouldn't I?" scoffed Peaches, still clutching the doll, but 
 her gaze on Mickey. "What happened was, 'at she liked 
 you for something, and give you the baby, so you brought 
 it to me. Thank you Mickey, for this Precious Child!" 
 
 Peaches lifted her lips. Mickey met them more ob- 
 sessed than before. Then she turned away, clasping 
 the doll. Mickey could see that the tears were slipping 
 from under the child's closed lids, but her lips were on the 
 doll face, so he knew she was happy. He stole out to 
 bring in his purchases for supper, and begin his evening 
 work. He gave Peaches a drink, her daily rub, cleaned 
 ,the room without making dust as the nurse had shown 
 him, and brought water. He shook his fist at the faucet. 
 
 "Now hereafter, nix on the butting in!" he said belliger- 
 ently. "Mebby I couldn't have got that doll, but I could 
 have got one she'd have liked just as well, and earned it 
 extra, in one day. There's one feature of the Big Brother 
 business that I was a little too fast on. He's the finest man 
 that ever wanted me, while his rooms are done shameful. 
 I could put a glitter on them so he could see himself with 
 the things he has to work with, and he said any time I 
 wanted it, the job was mine. It -wouldn't be cheating 
 him any if I took it, and did better work than he's getting, 
 and my steady papers are sure in the morning; that would 
 be sure in the afternoon, and if I cut ice with a buzz saw, I 
 might get through in time to pick up something else before 
 coming home, and being sure beats hoping a mile, yes ten 
 miles! Mebby I'll investigate that business a little fur- 
 ther, 'cause hereafter I provide for my own family. See? 
 Lily was grand about it. Gee! she's smart to think it out
 
 1 5 o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 that way all in a minute. But by and by she's going to 
 have a lot of time to think. Then she'll be remembering 
 about the lady I got to tell her of 'stead of me, as she 
 should! Guess I'll run my own family! I'll take another 
 look at cleaning that office. There ain't any lap-dog busi- 
 ness in a job, and being paid for it, if you do it well." 
 
 Mickey turned the faucet and marched up the stairs 
 with head high and shoulders square. His face was grave 
 while he worked, but Peaches was so happy she did not 
 notice. When he came with her supper she kissed the 
 doll, then insisted on Mickey kissing it also. Such was 
 the state of his subjugation he commenced with "Aw!" 
 and ended by doing as he was told. He even helped lay 
 the doll beside Peaches exactly as her fancy dictated, and 
 covered it with her sheet, putting its hands outside. 
 Peaches was enchanted. She insisted on offering it a 
 drink of her milk first, and was so tremulously careful 
 lest she spill a drop that Mickey had to guide her hand. 
 He promised to wash the doll's dress if she did have an acci- 
 dent, or when it became soiled, and bowed his head meekly 
 to the crowning concession by sitting on the edge of the 
 bed, after he had finished his evening work, and holding 
 the doll where she could see it, exactly as instructed, while 
 he told her about his wonderful adventure. 
 
 "Began yesterday," explained Mickey. "You know 
 I told you there was going to be a surprise. Well this is it. 
 When the lady gave me the ribbons for you, she told me 
 to come back to-night, and get it. Course I could a-got 
 it myself. I would a-got it for Christmas " 
 
 "Oh Mickey-lovest, does Christmas come here?"
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 151 
 
 "Surest thing you know!" said Mickey. "A fat stock- 
 ing full of every single thing the Nurse Lady tells Santa 
 Claus a little a little flowersy-girl that ain't so strong 
 yet, may have, and a big lady doll and a picture book." 
 
 "But I never had no stockings," said Peaches. 
 
 "Well you'll have by that time," promised Mickey. 
 
 "Oh Mickey, I'm so glad I want to say a prayin's 'at 
 you found me, 'stead of some other kid!" exulted Peaches. 
 
 "Yes Miss, and that's one thing I forgot!" said Mickey. 
 "We'll begin to-night. You ain't a properly raised lady 
 unless you say your prayers. I know the one She taught 
 me. To-night will be a good time, 'cause you'll be so 
 thankful for your pretty ribbons and your baby, that 
 you'll just love to say a real thankful prayer." 
 
 "Mickey, I ain't goin' to say prayin's! I just said I 
 was," explained Peaches. "I never said none for granny, 
 'cause she only told me to when she was drunk." 
 
 "No and you never had a box of ribbons to make you 
 look so sweet, or a baby to stay with you while I'm gone. 
 If you ain't thankful enough for them to say your prayers,, 
 you shouldn't have them, nor any more, nor Christmas, 
 nor anything, but just just like you was." 
 
 Peaches blinked, gasped, digested the statements, then 
 yielded wholly. 
 
 "I guess I'll say them. Mickey when shall I?'* 
 
 "To-night 'fore you go to sleep," said Mickey. 
 
 "Now tell me about the baby," urged Peaches. 
 
 "Sure! I was I I could a-got it myself, like I was tell- 
 ing you; but the ones in the stores have such funny clothes. 
 They look so silly. I knew I couldn't wash them and of
 
 1 52 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 course they'd get dirty like everything does, and we 
 couldn't have them dirty, so I thought it over, and I said 
 to Mickey-boy, 'if the Joy Lady is so anxious to get the 
 baby, and sew its clothes herself, why I'll just let her,' so I 
 did let her, but it took some time to make them, so I had 
 to wait to bring it 'til to-night. I was to go to her house 
 after it, and when I got there she was coming home in her 
 car from a long drive, and gee, Lily, I wish you could have 
 seen her! She's the prettiest lady, and the most joyous 
 lady I ever saw." 
 
 "Prettier than the Nurse Lady?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Well different," explained Mickey. "Nurse Lady is 
 all gold like the end of Sunrise Alley at four o'clock in the 
 morning. This lady has dark hair and eyes. Both of 
 them are as pretty as women are made, but they are not 
 the same. Nurse Lady is when the sun comes up, and 
 warms and comforts the world; but the doll-lady is like 
 all the stars twinkling in the moonlight on the park lake, 
 and music playing, and everybody dancing. The doll- 
 lady is joy, just the Joy Lady. Gee, Lily, you should have 
 seen her face when the car stopped, while I was coming 
 down the steps." 
 
 "Was she so glad to see you?" asked Peaches. 
 
 'Twasn't me!" said Mickey. " 'Twas on her face 
 before she saw me. She was just gleaming, and shining, 
 and spilling over joy! She isn't the kind that would dance 
 on the street, nor where it ain't nice to dance; but she was 
 dancing inside just the same. She pulled me right into 
 that big fine car, so I sat on the seat with her, and we 
 went sailing, and skating, and flying along and all the
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 153 
 
 boys guying me, but I didn't care! I liked to ride in her 
 car! I never rode in a car like that before. She went 
 a-whizzing right to the office of the big man, where maybe 
 I'll work; I guess I'll go see him to-morrow, I got a hanker- 
 ing for knowing what I'm going to do, and where I'm going 
 to do it, and since I got you, what I'm going to be paid for 
 it. Well she went spinning there, and she said 'you wait 
 a minute,' then she ran in and pretty soon out she came 
 with him. His name is Mr. Douglas Bruce, and I guess it 
 would be a little closer what She'd think right if I'd use 
 it. And hers he calls her by, is Leslie. Ain't that pretty? 
 When he says 'Leslie' sounds as if he kissed the name as 
 it came through. Honest it does!" 
 
 "I bet he says it just like you say 'Lily!'" 
 
 "I wonder now!" grinned Mickey. "Well he came 
 out and what she had told him, set him crazy too. They 
 just talked a streak, but he shook hands with me, and 
 she said, 'You tell the driver where to go Mickey,' and I 
 said, 'Go where, Miss?' and she said, 'To take you home,* 
 and I said, 'You don't need!' and she said, 'I'd like to!' 
 and I saw she didn't care what she did, so I just sent him 
 to the end of the car line and saved my nickel, and then 
 I come on here, and both of them " 
 
 "What?" asked Peaches eagerly. 
 
 Mickey changed the "wanted to come to see you" that 
 had been on his lips. If he told Peaches that, and she 
 asked for them to come, and they came, and then thought 
 he was not taking care of her right, and took her away 
 from him then what? 
 
 "Said good-bye the nicest," he substituted. "And
 
 I 5 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 I'm going to see if she wants any more letters carried as 
 soon as my papers are gone in the morning, and if she does, 
 I'm going to take them, and if one is to him, I'm going to 
 ask him more about the job he offered me, and if we can 
 agree, I'm going to take it. Then I can buy you what 
 you want myself, because I'll know every day exactly 
 what I'll have, and when the rent is counted out, and for 
 the papers, all the rest will be for eating, and what you 
 need, and to save for your new back." 
 
 "My, I wisht I had it now!" cried Peaches. "I wisht 
 I could a-rode in that car too! Wasn't it perfeckly 
 grand Mickey?" 
 
 "Grand as any king," said Mickey. 
 
 "What is a king?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "One of the big bosses across the ocean," explained 
 Mickey. "You'll learn them when you get farther with 
 your lessons. They own most 1\ the money, and the 
 finest houses, and all the people. Just own them. Own 
 them so's they can tell good friends to go to it, and kill 
 each other, even relations " 
 
 "And do they do it?" marvelled Peaches. 
 
 "Sure they do it!" cried Mickey. "Why they are do- 
 ing it right now ! I could bring a paper and read you things 
 that would make you so sick you couldn't sit up!" 
 
 "What kind of things, Mickey?" 
 
 "About kings making all the fathers kill each other, and 
 burn down each other's houses, and blow up the cities, 
 and eat all the food themselves, and leave the mothers 
 with no home, and no groceries, and no stove, and no beds, 
 and the bullets flying, and the cities burning, and no place
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 155 
 
 to go, and the children starving and dying Gee, I ain't 
 
 ever going to tell you any more, Lily! It's too awful! 
 You'd feel better not to know. Honest you would! 
 Wish I hadn't told you anything about it at all. Where's 
 your slate? We got to do lessons 'fore it gets so dark and 
 we are so sleepy we can't see." 
 
 Peaches proudly handed him the slate. In wavering 
 lines and tremulous curves ran her first day's work alone, 
 over erasures, and with relinings, in hills and deep depres- 
 sions, which it is possible Mickey read because he knew T 
 what it had to be, he proudly translated, "Mickey- 
 lovest." Then oie lines of the night before, then "cow" 
 and "milk." And then Mickey whooped because he 
 faintly recognized an effort to draw a picture of the cow 
 and the milk bottle. 
 
 "Grand Lily!" he cried. "Gee, you're the smartest 
 kid I ever knew! You'll know all I do 'fore long, and 
 then you'll need your back, so's you can get ready to go 
 to a Young Ladies' Sem'nary." 
 
 "What's that?" interestedly asked Peaches. 
 
 "A school. Where other nice girls go, and where you 
 learn all that I don't know to teach you," said Mickey. 
 
 "I won't go!" said Peaches. 
 
 "Oh yes you will, Miss," said Mickey. ' 'Cause you're 
 my family, so you'll do as I say." 
 
 "Will you go with me?" asked Peaches. 
 
 " Sure! I'll take you there in a big au Oh, I don't 
 
 know as I will either. We'll have to save our money, if 
 we both go. We'll go on a street car, and walk up a grand 
 av'noo among trees, and I'll take you in, and see if your
 
 156 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 room is right, and everything, and all the girls will like 
 you 'cause you're so smart, and your hair's so pretty, and 
 then I'll go to a boys' school close by, and learn how to 
 make poetry pieces that beat any in the papers. Every 
 time I make a new one I'll come and ask, 'Is Miss Lily 
 Miss Lily Peaches ' Gee kid, what's your name ?" 
 
 Mickey stared at Peaches, while she stared back at 
 him. 
 
 "I don't know," she said. "Do you care, Mickey?" 
 
 "What was your granny's?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "I don't know," answered Peaches. 
 
 "Was she your mother's mother?" persisted Mickey. 
 
 "Yes," replied Peaches. 
 
 "Did you ever see your father?" Mickey went on. 
 
 "I don't know nothing about fathers," she said. 
 
 Mickey heaved a deep sigh. 
 
 "Well! That's over!" he said. "/ know something 
 about fathers. I know a lot. I know that you are no 
 worse off, not knowing who your father was than to know 
 he was so mean that you are glad he's dead. Your way 
 leaves you hoping that he was just awful nice, and got 
 killed, or was taken sick or something; my way, there ain't 
 no doubts in your mind. You are plumb sure he wasn't 
 decent. Don't you bother none about fathers!" 
 
 "My I'm glad, Mickey!" cried Peaches joyously. 
 
 "So am I," said Mickey emphatically. "We don't 
 want any fathers coming here to butt in on us, just as we 
 get your back Carreled and you ready to start to school." 
 
 "Can I go without a name Mickey?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Course not!" said Mickey. "You have to put your
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 157 
 
 name on a roll the first thing, then you must be interdooced 
 to the Head Lady and all the girls." 
 
 "What'll I do Mickey?" anxiously inquired Peaches. 
 
 "Well, for smart as you are in some spots, you're awful 
 dumb in others," commented Mickey. "What'll you do, 
 saphead ? Gee! Ain't you mine ? Ain't you my family ? 
 Ain't my name good enough for you? Your name will 
 be Miss Lily Peaches O'Halloran. That's a name good 
 enough for a Queen Lady!" 
 
 "What's a Queen?" inquired Peaches. 
 
 "Wife of those kings we were just talking about." 
 
 "Sure!" said Peaches. "None of them have a nicer 
 name than that! Mickey, is my bow straight?" 
 
 "Naw it ain't!" said Mickey. "Take the baby 'til I 
 fix it! It's about slipped off! There! That's better." 
 
 "Mickey, let me see it!" suggested Peaches. 
 
 Mickey brought the mirror. She looked so long he 
 grew tired and started to put it back, but she clung to it. 
 
 "Just lay it on the bed," she said. 
 
 "Naw I don't, Miss Chicken O'Halloran!" he said. 
 "Mirrors cost money, and if you pull the sheet in the night, 
 and slide ours off, and it breaks, we got seven years of bad 
 luck coming, and we are nix on changing the luck we have 
 right now. It's good enough for us. Think of them Bel- 
 gium kids where the kings are making the fathers fight. 
 This goes where it belongs, then you take your drink, and 
 let me beat your pillow, and you fix your baby, and then 
 we'll say our prayers, and go to sleep." 
 
 Mickey replaced the mirror and carried out the program 
 he had outlined. When he came to the orayer he ordered
 
 i 5 8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Peaches to shut her eyes, fold her hands and repeat after 
 him: 
 
 "'Now I lay me down to sleep" 5 
 
 Peaches' eyes opened. 
 
 "Oh, is it a poetry prayer, Mickey?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes. Kind of a one. Say it," answered Mickey. 
 
 Peaches obeyed, repeating the words lingeringly and in 
 her sweetest tones. Mickey thrilled to his task. 
 
 "'I pray the Lord my soul to keep" he proceeded. 
 
 "What's my soul, Mickey?" she asked. 
 
 "The very nicest thing inside of you," explained Mickey. 
 "Goon!" " 
 
 "Like my heart ? " questioned Peaches. 
 
 "Yes. Only nicer," said Mickey. "Shut your eyes 
 and go on ! " 
 
 Peaches obeyed. 
 
 ' ' If I should die before I wake ' " continued Mickey. 
 
 Peaches' eyes flashed open; she drew back in horror. 
 
 " I won't ! " she cried. " I won't say that. That's what 
 happened to granny, an' I saw. She was the awfullest, an* 
 then the men came. I won't /" 
 
 Mickey opened his eyes, looking at Peaches, his lips in a 
 set line, his brow wrinkled in thought. 
 
 "Well I don't know what they went and put that in for," 
 he said indignantly. "Scaring little kids into fits! It's 
 all right when you don't know what it means, but when 
 kids has been through what we have, it's different. I 
 wouldn't say it either. You wait a minute. I can beat 
 that myself. Let me think. Now I got it! Shut your 
 eyes and go on :
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 159 
 
 "If I should come to live with Thee " 
 
 "Well I ain't goin'!" said Peaches flatly. "I'm goin' to 
 stay right here with you. I'd a lot rather than anywhere. 
 King's house or anywhere!" 
 
 "I never saw such a kid!" wailed Mickey. "I think 
 that's pretty. I like it heaps. Come on Peaches! Be 
 good! Listen! The next line goes: 'Open loving arms to 
 shelter me.' Like the big white Jesus at the Cathedral 
 door. Come on now!" 
 
 "I wont ! I'm goin' to live right here, and I don't want 
 no big white Jesus' arms; I want yours. 'F I go anywhere, 
 you got to lift me yourself, and let me take my Precious 
 Child along." 
 
 "Lily, you're the worst kid I ever saw," said Mickey. 
 "No you ain't either! I know a lot worse than you. You 
 just don't understand. I guess you better pray something 
 you do understand. Let me think again. Now try this: 
 Keep me through the starry night " 
 
 "Sure! I just love that," crooned Peaches. 
 
 "Wake me safe with sunrise bright," prompted Mickey, 
 and the child smilingly repeated the words. 
 
 "Now comes some 'Blesses,'" said Mickey. "I don't 
 know just how to manage them. You haven't a father to 
 bless, and your mother got what was coming to her long ago ; 
 blessing her now wouldn't help any if it wasn't pleasant; 
 same with your granny, only more recent. I'll tell you! 
 Now I know! 'Bless the Sunshine Lady for all the things 
 to make me comfortable, and bless the Moonshine Lady 
 for the ribbons and the doll." 
 
 "Aw!" cried Peaches, staring up at him in rebellion.
 
 160 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Now you go on, Miss Chicken," ordered Mickey, los- 
 ing patience, "and then you end with 'Amen,' which 
 means, 'So be it,' or 'Make it happen that way,' or some- 
 thing like that. Go to it now!" 
 
 Peaches shut her eyes, refolded her hands and lifted her 
 chin. After a long pause Mickey was on the point of 
 breaking, she said sweetly: "Bless Mickey-lovest, an* 
 bless him, an' bless him million times; an' bless him for the 
 bed, an' the window, an' bless him for finding the Nurse 
 Lady, an' bringing the ribbons, an' the doll, an' bless him 
 for the slate, an' the teachin's, an' bless him for everything 
 I just love, an* love. Amen hard!" 
 
 When Peaches opened her eyes she found Mickey 
 watching her, a commingling of surprise and delight on his 
 face. Then he bent over and laid his cheek against hers. 
 
 "You fool little kid," he whispered tenderly. "You 
 precious fool little flowersy-kid! You make a fellow love 
 you 'til he nearly busts inside. Kiss me good-night, Lily." 
 
 He slipped the ribbon from her hair, straightened the 
 sheets, arranged as the nurse had taught him, laid the doll 
 as Peaches desired, and then screened by the foot of the bed, 
 undressed and stretched himself on the floor. The same 
 moon that peeped in the window to smile her broadest at 
 Peaches and her Precious Child, and touched Mickey's 
 face to wondrous beauty, at that hour also sent shining 
 bars of light across the veranda where Leslie sat and told 
 Douglas Bruce about the trip to the swamp. 
 
 "I never knew I could be so happy over anything in all 
 this world that didn't include you and Daddy. But of 
 course this does in a way; you, at least. Much as you
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 161 
 
 think of, and are with, Mr. Minturn, you can't help being 
 glad that joy has come to him at last. Why don't you say 
 something, Douglas?" 
 
 "I have been effervescing ever since you came to the 
 office after me, and I find now that the froth is off, I'm 
 getting to the solid facts in the case, and, well I don't wanf 
 to say a word to spoil your joyous day, but I'm worried, 
 ' Bringer of Song.' ' : 
 
 "Worried ?" cried Leslie. "Why ? You don't think he 
 wouldn't be pleased ? You don't think he might not be 
 responsive, do you?" 
 
 "Think of the past years of neglect, insult and humilia- 
 tion!" suggested Douglas. 
 
 "Think of the future years of loving care, reparation and 
 joy!" commented Leslie. 
 
 "Please God they outweigh!" said Douglas. "Of 
 course they will! It must be a few things I've seen lately 
 that keep puzzling me." 
 
 "What have you seen, Douglas?" questioned Leslie. 
 
 "Deals in real estate," he answered. "Consultations 
 with detectives and policemen, scientists and surgeons." 
 
 "But what could that have to do with Nellie Minturn?" 
 
 "Nothing, I hope," said Douglas, "but there has been a 
 grimness about Minturn lately, a going ahead with jaws 
 set that looks ugly for what opposes him, and you tell me 
 they have been in opposition ever since they married. I 
 can't put him from my thoughts as I saw him last." 
 
 "And I can't her," said Leslie. "She was a lovely pic- 
 ture as she came across the silver moss carpet, you know 
 that gray green, Douglas, her face flushed, her eyes wet,
 
 162 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 her arms full of those perfectly beautiful, lavender-pink 
 fringed orchids. She's a handsome woman, dearest, and 
 she never looked quite so well to me as when she came pick- 
 ing her way beneath the dark tamarack boughs. She was 
 going to ask him to go with her to take her flowers to Eliza- 
 beth, and over that little white casket she intended 
 
 Why Douglas, he couldn't, he simply couldn't!" 
 
 "Suppose he had something previously worked out that 
 cut her off!" 
 
 "Oh Douglas! What makes you think such a thing?" 
 
 "What Minturn said to me this morning with such bit- 
 terness on his face and in his voice as I never before en- 
 countered in man," Douglas answered. 
 
 "He said ?" prompted Leslie. 
 "This is my last day as a laughing-stock for my fellow- 
 men! To-morrow I shall hold up my head!" 
 
 "Why didn't you tell me that before?" 
 
 "Didn't realize until just now that you and she hadn't 
 seen him that you were acting on presumption." 
 
 "I'm going to call her!" cried Leslie. 
 
 "I wouldn't!" advised Douglas. 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 "After as far as she went to-day, if she had anything she 
 wanted you to know, wouldn't she feel free to call you?" 
 
 "You are right," conceded Leslie. "Even after to-day, 
 for me to call would be an intrusion. Let's not talk of it 
 further! Don't you wish we could take a peep at Mickey 
 carrying the doll to the little sick girl?" 
 
 "I surely do!" answered Douglas. "What do you 
 think of him, Leslie?"
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 163 
 
 "Great! Simply great!" cried the girl. "Douglas you 
 should have heard him educate me on the doll ques- 
 tion." 
 
 "How?" he asked interestedly. 
 
 "From the first glimpse I had of him, the thought came 
 to me, 'That's Douglas' Little Brother!'" she explained. 
 "When you telephoned and said you were sending him to 
 me, just one idea possessed me: to get what you wanted. 
 Almost without thought at all I tried the first thing he 
 mentioned, which happened to be a little sick neighbour 
 girl he told me about. All girls like a doll, and I had one 
 dressed for a birthday gift for a namesake of mine, and 
 time in plenty to fix her another. I brought it to Mickey 
 and thought he'd be delighted." 
 
 "Was he rude?" inquired Douglas anxiously. 
 
 "Not in the least!" she answered. "Only casual! 
 Merely made me see how thoughtless and unkind anc* 
 positively vulgar my idea of pleasing a poor chile 
 was." 
 
 "Leslie, you shock me!" exclaimed Douglas. 
 
 "I mean every word of it," said the girl. "Now listen 
 to me! It is thoughtless to offer a gift headlong, without 
 considering a second, is it not?" 
 
 "Merely impulsive," replied Douglas. 
 
 "Identically the same thing!" declared Leslie. "Listen 
 I said! Without a thought about suitability, I offered 
 an extremely poor child the gift I had prepared for a very 
 rich one. Mickey made me see in ten words that it would 
 be no kindness to fill his little friend's head with thoughts 
 that would sadden her heart with envy, make her feel all
 
 164 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 she lacked more keenly than ever; give her a gift that would 
 breed dissatisfaction instead of joy; if that isn't vulgarity, 
 what is? Mickey's Lily has no business with a doll so 
 gorgeous the very sight of it brings longing, instead of com- 
 fort. It was unkind to offer a gift so big and heavy it 
 would tire and worry her." 
 
 "There are some ideas there on giving!" 
 
 "Aren't there though!" said Leslie. "Mickey took 
 about three minutes to show me that Lily was satisfied as 
 she was, so no one would thank me for awakening dis- 
 content in her heart. He measured off her size and proved 
 to me that a small doll, that would not tire her to handle, 
 would be suitable, and so dressed that its clothes could be 
 washed and would be plain as her own. Even further! 
 Once my brain began working I saw that a lady doll with 
 shoes and stockings to suggest outdoors and walking, was 
 not a kind gift to make a bedridden child. Douglas, after 
 Mickey started me I arose by myself to the point of seeing 
 that a little cuddly baby doll, helpless as she, one that she 
 could nestle, and play with lying in bed would be the proper 
 gift for Lily. Think of a 'newsy' making me see that! 
 Isn't he wonderful?" 
 
 "You should have heard him making me see things!" 
 said Douglas. "Yours are faint and feeble to the ones he 
 taught me. Refused me at every point, and marched 
 away leaving me in utter rout! Outside wanting you for 
 my wife, more than anything else on earth, I wanted 
 Mickey for my Little Brother." 
 
 "You have him!" comforted the girl. "The Lord ar- 
 ranged that. You remember He said, 'All men are
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 165 
 
 brothers,' and wasn't it Tolstoy who wrote: 'If people 
 would only understand that they are not the sons of some 
 fatherland or other, nor of governments, but are sons of 
 God?' You and Mickey will get your brotherhood ar- 
 ranged to suit both of you some of these days." 
 
 " Exactly ! " conceded Douglas. " But I wanted Mickey 
 at hand now! I wanted him to come and go with me. 
 To be educated with what I consider education.' 5 
 
 "It will come yet," prophesied Leslie. "Your ideas 
 are splendid! I see how fine they are! The trouble is 
 this: you had a plan mapped out at which Mickey was to 
 jump. Mickey happened to have preconceived ideas on 
 the subject, so he didn't jump. You wanted to be the 
 king on the throne and stretch out a royal hand," laughed 
 Leslie. "You wanted to lift Mickey to your level, and 
 with the inherent fineness in him, have him feel eternal 
 love and gratitude toward you?" 
 
 "That sounds different, but it is the real truth." 
 
 "And Mickey doesn't care to be brother to kings, he 
 doesn't perceive the throne even; he wants you to under- 
 stand at the start that you will take, as well as give. Re- 
 fusing pay for tidying your office was his first inning. 
 That 'Me to you!' was great. I can see the accompany- 
 ing gesture. It was the same one he used in demolishing 
 my doll. Something vital and inborn. Something loneli- 
 ness, work, the crowd, and raw life have taught Mickey, 
 that we don't know. Learn all you can from him. I've 
 had one good lesson, I'm receptive and ready for the next. 
 Let's call the car and drive an hour." 
 
 "That will be pleasant," agreed Douglas.
 
 166 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Anywhere in the suburbs to avoid the crowds," was 
 Leslie's order to her driver. 
 
 Slowly, under traffic regulations, the car ran through 
 the pleasant spring night; the occupants talking without 
 caring where they were so long as they were together, in 
 motion, and it was May. They were passing residences 
 where city and country met. The dwellings of people 
 city bound, country determined. Homes where men 
 gave so many hours to earning money, then sped away to 
 train vines, prune trees, dig in warm earth and make 
 things grow. Such men now crossed green lawns and 
 talked fertilizers, new annuals, tree surgery, and carried 
 gifts of fragrant, blooming things to their friends. Here 
 the verandas were wide and children ran from them to 
 grassy playgrounds; on them women read or sat with em- 
 broidery hoops or visited in small groups. 
 
 "Let's move," said Leslie. "Let's coax Daddy to sell 
 our place and come here. One wouldn't ever need go 
 summering, it's cool and pleasant always. I'd love it! 
 There's a new house and a lawn under old trees, to shelter 
 playing children; isn't it charming?" 
 
 "Quite! But that small specimen seems refractory." 
 
 Leslie leaned forward to see past him. In an open door 
 stood a man clearly silhouetted against the light. Down 
 the steps sped a screaming boy about nine. After him 
 ran another five or six years older. When the child 
 saw he would be overtaken, he headed straight for the 
 street; as the pursuer's hand brushed him, he threw 
 himself kicking and clawing. The elder boy hesitated, 
 looking for an opening to find a hold. The car was half a
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 167 
 
 block away when Leslie turned a white face to Douglas 
 and gasped inarticulately. He understood something was 
 wrong so signalled the driver to stop. 
 
 "Turn and pass those children again!" ordered Leslie. 
 
 As the car went by slowly the second time, the child still 
 fought, the boy stepped back, while James Minturn with 
 grim face, bent under the light and by force took into his 
 arms the twisting, righting boy. 
 
 "Heaven help him!" cried Douglas. "Not a sign of 
 happy reconciliation there!" 
 
 Leslie tried to choke down her sobs. 
 
 "Oh Nellie Minturn! Poor woman!" she wailed. 
 
 "So that's what he was doing!" marvelled Douglas. 
 "A house he has built to suit himself; training his sons 
 personally, with the assistance of his Little Brother. That 
 boy was William. I see him in Minturn's office every 
 day." 
 
 "Oh I think he might have given her a chance!" pro- 
 tested Leslie. "Remember how she was reared! Think 
 what a struggle it was for her even to contemplate trying 
 to be different." 
 
 " Evidently she was too late ! " said Douglas. " He must 
 have been gone before you returned from the swamp." 
 
 "I'm going back there and tell him a few things! I 
 think he might have waited. Douglas, I'm afraid he did 
 wait! She said he told her he wanted to talk with her 
 when she came back and oh Douglas, she said he had a 
 small box and he threatened to 'freeze her soul with its 
 contents!' Douglas, what could he have had?" 
 
 "'Freeze her soul!' Let me think!" said Douglas. "I
 
 i68 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 met Professor Tickner and Dr. Wills coming from his 
 offices a few days ago, while he's just back from a trip that 
 he didn't tell me he was taking " 
 
 "You mean Tickner, the scientist; Wills, the surgeon?" 
 
 "Yes," answered Douglas. 
 
 "But those children! Aren't they perfectly healthy?" 
 
 "They look it! Lord, Leslie!" cried Douglas, "I have 
 it ! He has made good his threat. He has frozen her soul ! 
 What you want to do is to go to her, Leslie!" 
 
 "Douglas, tell me!" she demanded. 
 
 "I can't!" said Douglas. "I may be mistaken. I 
 think I am not, but there is always a chance! Drive to 
 the Minturn residence," he ordered. 
 
 They found a closed dark pile of stone. 
 
 "Go past that place where the children were again!" 
 said Leslie. 
 
 The upper story was quiet. Outlined by veranda lights 
 the massive form of James Minturn paced back and forth 
 under the big trees, his hands clasped behind him, his 
 head bowed, and he walked alone. 
 
 "Douglas, I'm going to speak to him. I'm going to tell 
 him!" declared Leslie. 
 
 "But you're now conceding that she saw him!" Douglas 
 pointed out. "Then what have you to tell him that 
 she would not? If she couldn't move him with what she 
 said, and while you don't know his side, what could you 
 say to him?" 
 
 "Nothing," she conceded. 
 
 "Precisely my opinion," said Douglas. "Remember 
 Leslie I am a little ahead of you in this. You know her
 
 PEACHES' PREFERENCE IN BLESSINGS 169 
 
 side. I know all you have told me of her, also I know 
 what he has told me; while putting what I have seen, and 
 heard at the office, and him here with the boys, in a house 
 she would consider too plebeian for words 
 
 "No Douglas. No! She is changed!" cried Leslie. 
 "Completely changed, I tell you! She said she would 
 wipe Malcolm's nose and fix James' studs 
 
 "Mere figures of speech!" remarked Douglas. 
 
 "They meant she was ready to work with her own 
 hands for happiness," said Leslie indignantly. 
 
 "I think she's too late!" said Douglas. "I am afraid 
 she is one of the unhappiest women in the world to-night!" 
 
 "Douglas, it wrings my heart!" cried Leslie. 
 
 "Mine also, but what can we do?" he answered. "For 
 ten years, she has persisted in having her way, you tell 
 me; what could she have expected?" 
 
 "That he would have some heart," protested Leslie. 
 "That he would forgive when he was asked, as all of us 
 are commanded to." 
 
 "Does it occur to you that he might have confronted her 
 with something that prevented her from asking?" sug- 
 gested Douglas. "She may never have reached her 
 flowers and her proposed concessions." 
 
 "What makes you think so?" queried Leslie. 
 
 "What I see and surmise, and a thing I know." 
 
 "What can I do?" asked Leslie. 
 
 "Nothing!" Douglas said with finality. "If either of 
 them wants you, they know where to find you. But you're 
 tired now. Let's give the order for home." 
 
 "Shan't sleep a wink to-night!" prophesied Leslie.
 
 1 7 o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "I was afraid of that!" exclaimed Douglas. "There 
 may be a message there for you that will be a comfort." 
 "So there may be! Let's hurry!" urged the girl. 
 There was. They found a brief, pencilled note. 
 
 DEAR LESLIE: 
 
 After to-day, it was due you to send a word. You tu'ed so hard dear, 
 and you gave me real joy for an hour. Then James carried out his 
 threat. He did all to me he intended, and more than he can ever 
 know. I have agreed to him taking full possession of the boys, and 
 going into a home such as he thinks suitable. They will be far better 
 off, and since they scarcely know me, they can't miss me. Before you 
 receive this, I shall have left the city. I can't state just now where 
 I am going or what I shall do. You can realize a little of my condition. 
 If ever you are tired of home life and faintly tempted to neglect it 
 for society, use me for your horrible example. Good-bye, 
 
 NELLIE MINTURN. 
 
 Leslie read this aloud. 
 
 "It's a relief to know that much," she said with a 
 deep breath. "I can't imagine myself ever being 'faintly 
 tempted,' but if I am, surely she is right about the 'hor- 
 rible example.' Douglas, whatever did James Minturn 
 have in that box?" 
 
 "I could tell you what I surmise, but so long as I don't 
 know I'd better not," he answered. 
 
 "As our mutual friend Mickey would say, 'Nix on the 
 Swell Dames,' for me!" said Leslie determinedly. 
 
 "Thank God witn all my heart!" cried Douglas Bruce.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 BIG BROTHER 
 
 "~M"'VE no time to talk," said Douglas Bruce, as Mickey 
 appeared the following day; "my work seems too 
 JL much for one man. Can you help me ? " 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey, wadding his cap into his back 
 pocket. Then he rolled his sleeves a turn higher, lifted 
 his chin a trifle and stepped forward. "Say what!" 
 
 It caught Douglas so suddenly there was no time for 
 concealment. He laughed heartily. 
 
 "That's good!" he cried. Mickey grinned in comrade- 
 ship. "First, these letters to the box in the hall." 
 
 "Next?" Mickey queried as he came through the door. 
 
 "This package to the room of the Clerk in the City 
 Hall, and bring back a receipt bearing his signature." 
 
 Mickey saluted, laid the note inside the cover of a book, 
 put it in the middle of the package, and a second later his 
 gay whistle receded down the hall. 
 
 ' Train up a child in the way he should go, and when 
 he is old he will not depart from it,' " Douglas quoted. 
 "Mickey has been trained until he would make a good 
 trainer himself." 
 
 In one-half the time the trip had taken the messenger 
 boys Douglas was accustomed to employing, Mickey was 
 back like the Gulf in the Forum, demanding "more." 
 
 171
 
 i 7 2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "See what you can do for these rooms, until the next 
 errand is ready," suggested Douglas. 
 
 Mickey began gathering up the morning papers, 
 straightening the rugs, curtains and arranging the furni- 
 ture. 
 
 "Hand this check to the janitor," said Douglas. "And 
 Mickey, kindly ask him if two dollars was what I agreed 
 to pay him for my extras this week." 
 
 "Sure!" said Mkkey. 
 
 Douglas would have preferred "Yes sir," but "Sure!" 
 was a permanent ejaculation decorating the tip of Mickey's 
 tongue. The man watching closely did not fail to catch 
 the flash of interest and the lifting of the boy figure as he 
 paused for instructions. When he returned Douglas said 
 casually: "While I am at it, I'll pay off my messenger 
 service. Take this check to the address and bring a re- 
 ceipt for the amount." 
 
 Mickey's comment came swiftly: "Gee! that boy would 
 be sore, if he lost his job ! " 
 
 "Messenger Sen-ice Agency," Douglas said, busy at his 
 desk. "No boy would lose his job." 
 
 "Oh!" exclaimed Mickey comprehendingly. His face 
 lighted at the information. Next he carried a requisition 
 for books to another city official and telephoned a cafe to 
 deliver a pitcher of lemonade and some small cakes, and 
 handed the boy a dime. 
 
 "\\hy didn't you send me and save your silver?" 
 
 "I did not think," answered Bruce. "Some one gets 
 the tip, you might as well have had it." 
 
 "I didn't mean me hace it, I meant you save it."
 
 BIG BROTHER 173 
 
 "Mickey," said Douglas, "you know perfectly I can't 
 take your time unless you accept from me what I am ac- 
 customed to paying other boys." 
 
 "Letting others bleed you, you mean," said Mickey in- 
 dignantly. "Why I'd a-been glad to brought the juice 
 for five! You never ought to paid more." 
 
 "Should have paid more," corrected Douglas. 
 
 "'Should have paid more, 5 ' 3 repeated Mickey. 
 "Thanks!" 
 
 "Now try this," said Douglas, filling two glasses. 
 
 " Tain't usual!" said Mickey. "You drink that your- 
 self or save it for friends that may drop in.' 
 
 "Very well!" said Douglas. "Of course you might 
 have it instead of the boy who comes after the pitcher, but 
 if you don't like it " 
 
 "All right if that's the way!" agreed Mickey. 
 
 He retired to a window seat, enjoyed the cool drink 
 and nibbled the cake, his eyes deeply thoughtful. When 
 offered a second glass Mickey did not hesitate. 
 
 "Nope!" he said conclusively. "A fellow's head and 
 heels work better when his stomach is running light. I 
 can earn more not to load up with a lot of stuff. I eat at 
 home when my work is finished. She showed me that." 
 
 "She showed you a good many things, didn't She?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "She was my mother, so we 
 had to look out for ourselves. When you got nothing but 
 yourself between you and the wolf, you learn to fly, and 
 keep your think-tank in running* order. She knew just 
 what was coming to me, so She showed me, and every 
 single thing She said has come, and then some !"
 
 i 7 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "I see!" said Douglas. "A wise mother!" 
 
 "Sure!" agreed Mickey. "But I guess it wouldn't 
 have done either of us much good if I hadn't remembered 
 and kept straight on doing what she taught me." 
 
 "You are right, it wouldn't," conceded Douglas. 
 
 "That's where I'm going to climb above some of the 
 other fellows," announced Mickey confidently. "Either 
 they didn't have mothers to teach them or else they did, 
 and forget, or think the teaching wasn't worth anything. 
 Now me, I know She was right! She always proved it! 
 She had been up against it longer than I had and She 
 knew, so I am going to go right along doing as She said. 
 I'll beat them, and carry double at that!" 
 
 "How double, Mickey?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "I didn't mean to say that," he explained. "That was 
 a slip. There's a there's something something I'm 
 trying to do that costs more than it does to live. I'rr 
 bound to do it, so I got to run light and keep my lamps 
 polished for chances. What next, sir?" 
 
 "Call 9-4O-X, and order my car here," said Douglas. 
 
 He bent over his papers to hide his face when from an 
 adjoining room drifted Mickey's voice in clear enuncia- 
 tion and suave intonation: "Mr. Douglas Bruce desires 
 his car to be sent immediately to the Iriquois Building." 
 
 His mental comment was: "The little scamp has 
 drifted to street lingo when he lacked his mother to re- 
 strain him. He can speak a fairly clean grade of Eng- 
 lish now if he chooses." 
 
 "Next?" briskly inquired Mickey. 
 
 "Now look here," said Douglas. "This isn't a horse
 
 BIG BROTHER 175 
 
 race. I earn my living with my brains, not my heels. 
 I must have time to think things out; when your next 
 job arrives I'll tell you. If you are tired, take a nap on 
 that couch in there." 
 
 "Asleep at the switch!" marvelled Mickey. 
 
 He went to the adjoining room but did not sleep. He 
 quietly polished and straightened furniture, lingered be- 
 fore bookcases and was at Douglas' elbow as he turned 
 to call him. Then they closed the offices and went to 
 the car, each carrying a load of ledgers. 
 
 "You do an awful business!" commented Mickey. 
 "Your car?" 
 
 "Yes," answered Douglas. 
 
 "You're doing grand, for young as you are." 
 
 "I haven't done it all myself, Mickey," explained Doug- 
 las. " I happened to select a father who was of an acquisi- 
 tive turn of mind. He left me enough that I can have 
 a comfortable living in a small way, from him." 
 
 "Gee! It's lucky you got the Joy Lady then!" ex- 
 claimed Mickey. "Maybe you wouldn't ever work if 
 you didn't have her to scratch for!" 
 
 "I always have worked and tried to make something of 
 myself," said Douglas. 
 
 "Yes, I guess you have," conceded Mickey. "I think 
 it shows when a man does. It just shows a lot on you." 
 
 "Thank you, Mickey! Same to you!" 
 
 "Aw, nix on me!" said Mickey. "I ain't nothing on 
 looks! I ain't ever looked at myself enough that if I was 
 sent to find Michael O'Halloran I mightn't bring in some 
 other fellow."
 
 I 7 6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "But you're enough acquainted with yourself that you 
 wouldn't bring in a dirty boy with a mouth full of swear- 
 ing and beer," suggested Douglas. 
 
 "Well not this evening!" cried Mickey. "On a gamble 
 that ain't my picture!" 
 
 "If it were, you wouldn't be here!" said Douglas. 
 "No, nor much of any place else 'cept the gutters, alleys, 
 and the police court," affirmed Mickey. "That ain't my 
 style! I'd like to be well about like you." 
 
 "You are perfectly welcome to all I have and am," 
 said Douglas. "If you fail to take advantage of the 
 offer, it will be your own fault." 
 
 "Yes, I guess it will," reflected Mickey. "You gave 
 me the chance. I am to blame if I don't cop on to it, 
 and get in the game. I like you fine! Your work is 
 more interesting than odd jobs on the street, and you pay 
 like a plute. You're being worked though. You pay too 
 much. If I work for you it would save you money to let 
 me manage that; I could get you help and things a lot 
 cheaper, then you could spend what you save on the Joy 
 Lady, making her more joyous." 
 
 "You are calling Miss Winton the Joy Lady?" 
 "Yes," said Mickey. "Doesn't she just look it?" 
 "She surely does," agreed Douglas. "It's a good title. 
 I know only two that are better. She sows happiness 
 everywhere. What about your Lily girl and her doll?" 
 "Doll doesn't go. That's a Precious Child!" 
 "I see! Lily is a little girl you like, Mickey?" 
 "Lily is the littlest girl you ever saw," answered Mickey, 
 "with a bad back so that she hasn't ever walked; and
 
 BIG BROTHER i 77 
 
 she's so sweet she's the only thing I've got to love, so I 
 love her 'til it hurts. Her back is one thing I'm saving 
 for. I'm going to have it Carreled as soon as I get money, 
 and she grows strong enough to stand it." 
 
 "'Carreled?'" queried Douglas wonderingly. 
 
 "You know the man who put different legs on a dog?" 
 said Mickey. "I often read about him in papers I sell. 
 I think he can fix her back. But not yet. A Sunshine 
 Nurse I know says nobody can help her back 'til she 
 grows a lot stronger and fatter. She has to have milk and 
 be rubbed with oil, and not be jerked for a while before 
 it's any use to begin on her back." 
 
 "And has she the milk and the oil and the kindness?" 
 
 "You just bet she has," said Mickey. "Her family 
 tends to that. And she has got a bed, and a window, and 
 her Precious Child, and a slate, and books." 
 
 "That's all right then," said Douglas. "Any time you 
 see she needs anything Mickey, I'd be glad if you would 
 tell me or Miss Winton. She loves to do kind things to 
 little sick children to make them happier." 
 
 "So do I," said Mickey. "And Lily is my job. But 
 that isn't robbing Miss Joy Lady. She can love herself 
 to death if she wants to on hundreds of little, sick, cold, 
 miserable children, in every cellar and garret and tene- 
 ment of the east end of Multiopolis. The only kind 
 thing God did for them out there was to give them the first 
 chance at sunrise. Multiopolis hasn't ever followed His 
 example by giving them anything." 
 
 "You mean Miss Winton can find some other child to 
 love and care for?" asked Douglas.
 
 i 7 8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey emphatically. "It's hands off 
 Lily. Her family is taking care of her, so she's got all 
 she needs right now." 
 
 "That's good!" said Bruce. "Here we unload." 
 
 They entered a building and exchanged the books 
 they carried for others which Douglas selected with care, 
 then returning to the office, locked them in a safe. 
 
 "Now I am driving to the golf grounds for an hour's 
 play," said Douglas. "Will you go and caddy for me?" 
 
 "I never did. I don't know how," answered Mickey. 
 
 "You can learn, can't you?" suggested Douglas. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "I've seen boys carrying golf 
 clubs that hadn't enough sense to break stone right. I 
 can learn, but my learning might spoil your day's sport." 
 
 "It would be no big price to pay for an intelligent 
 caddy," replied Douglas. 
 
 "Mr. Bruce, what price is an intelligent caddy worth?" 
 
 "Our Scotch Club pays fifty cents a game and each 
 man employs his own boy if he chooses. The club used to 
 furnish boys, but since the Big Brother movement began, 
 so many of the men have boys in their offices they are 
 accustomed to, and want to give a run over the hills after 
 the day's work, that the rule has been changed. I can 
 employ you, if you want to serve me." 
 
 "I'd go to the country in the car with you, every day you 
 play, and carry your clubs?" asked Mickey wonderingly. 
 
 "Yes," answered Douglas. 
 
 "Over real hills, where there's trees, grass, cows and 
 water?" questioned Mickey. 
 
 "Yes," repeated Douglas.
 
 BIG BROTHER 179 
 
 "What time would we get back?" he asked. 
 
 "Depends on how late I play, and whether I have din- 
 ner at the club house, say seven as a rule, maybe ten or 
 later at times." 
 
 "Nothing doing!" said Mickey promptly. "I got to 
 be home at six by the clock every day, even if we were en- 
 gaged in 'hurling back the enemy.' See?" 
 
 "But Mickey! That spoils everything!" cried Doug- 
 las. "Of course you could work for me the remainder of 
 the day if you wanted to, and I could keep my old club- 
 house caddy, but I want you. You want the ride in the 
 country, you want the walk, you need the change and rec- 
 reation. You are not a real boy if you don't want that!" 
 
 "I'm so real, I'm two boys if wanting it counts, but it 
 doesn't!" said Mickey. "You see I got a. job for evening. 
 I'm promised. I'd rather do what you want than any- 
 thing I ever saw or heard of, except just this. I've given 
 my word, and I'm depended on. I couldn't give up this 
 work, and I wouldn't, if I could. Even golf ain't in it with 
 this job that I'm on." 
 
 "What is your work Mickey?" 
 
 "Oh I ain't ever exactly certain," said Mickey. "Some- 
 times it is one thing, sometimes it is another, but always 
 it's something, and it's work for a party I couldn't disap- 
 point, not noways, not for all the golf in the world." 
 
 "You are sure?" persisted Douglas. 
 
 "Dead sure with no changing," said Mickey. 
 
 "All right then. I'm sorry!" exclaimed Douglas. 
 
 "So am I," said Mickey. "But not about the job!" 
 
 Douglas laughed. "Well come along this evening and
 
 1 8o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 look on. I'll be back before six and I'll run you where we 
 did last night, if that is close your home." 
 
 "Thanks," said Mickey. "I'd love to, but you needn't 
 bother about taking me home. I can make it if I start at 
 six. Shall I take the things back to the cafe?" 
 
 "Let them go until morning," said Douglas. 
 
 "What becomes of the little cakes?" 
 
 "Their fate is undecided. Have you any suggestions ? " 
 
 "I should worry!" he exclaimed. "They'd fit my 
 pocket. I could hike past the hospital and ask the Sun- 
 shine Lady; if she said so, I could take them to Lily. Bet 
 she never tasted any like them. If it's between her and 
 the cafe selling them over, s'pose she takes the cake?" 
 
 Mickey's face was one big insinuating, suggestive smile. 
 Douglas' was another. 
 
 " Suppose she does," he agreed. 
 
 " I must wrap them," said Mickey. " Have to be careful 
 about Lily. If she's fed dirty, wrong stuff, it will make 
 fever so her back will get worse instead of better." 
 
 "Will a clean envelope do?" suggested Douglas. 
 
 "That would cost you two cents," said Mickey. 
 "Haven't you something cheaper?" 
 
 "What about a sheet of paper?" hazarded Douglas. 
 
 "Fine!" said Mickey, "and only half as expensive." 
 
 So they wrapped the little cakes and closed the office. 
 Then Douglas said: "Now this ends work for the day. 
 Next comes playtime." 
 
 "Then before we begin to play we ought to finish busi- 
 ness," said Mickey. " I have been thinking over what you 
 said the other day, and while I was right about some of it,
 
 BIG BROTHER 181 
 
 I was mistaken about part. I ain't changing anything I 
 said about Minturn men and his sort, and millyingaire men 
 and their sort; but you ain't that kind of a man 
 
 "Thank you, Mickey," said Douglas. 
 
 "No you ain't that kind of a man," continued Mickey. 
 "And you are just the kind of a man I'd like to be; so if the 
 door ain't shut, guess I'll stick around afternoons." 
 
 "Not all day?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "Well you see I am in the paper business and that takes 
 all morning," explained Mickey. "I can always finish 
 my first batch by noon, lots of times by ten; from that on 
 to six I could work for you." 
 
 "Don't you think you could earn more with me, and in 
 the winter at least, be more comfortable?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Winter!" cried Mickey, his face whitening. 
 
 "Yes," said Douglas. "The newsboys always look 
 frightfully cold in winter." 
 
 "Winter!" It was a piteous cry. 
 
 "What is it, Mickey?" questioned Bruce kindly. 
 
 "You know I forgot it," he said. "I was so took up 
 with what I was doing, and thinking right now, that I for- 
 got a time ever was coming when it gets blue cold, and little 
 kids freeze. Gee! I almost wish I hadn't thought of it. 
 I guess I better sell my paper business, and come with you 
 all day. I know I could earn more. I just sort of hate to 
 give up the papers. I been at them so long. I've had 
 such a good time. ' I like to sell papers ! ' That's the way 
 I always start my cry, and I do. I just love to. I sell to 
 about the same bunch every morning, and most of my men 
 know me, and they always say a word, and I like the rush
 
 1 82 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and excitement and the things that happen, and the look- 
 ing for chances on the side " 
 
 "There's messenger work in my business." 
 
 "I see! I like that! I like your work all right," said 
 Mickey. "Gimme a few days to sell my route to the best 
 advantage I can, and I'll come all day. I'll come for 
 about a half what you are paying now." 
 
 "But you admit you need money urgently." 
 
 "Well not so urgently as to skin a friend to get it not 
 sven with the winter I hadn't thought of coming. Gee 
 I don't know just what I am going to do about that." 
 
 "For yourself, Mickey?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "Well in a way, yes," hesitated Mickey. "There are 
 things to think about! Gee I got to hump myself while the 
 sun shines! If you say so, then I'll get out of the paper 
 business as soon as I can; and I'll begin work for you steady 
 at noon to-morrow. I've seen you pay out over seven to- 
 day. I'll come for six. Is it a bargain?" 
 
 "No," said Douglas, "it isn't! The janitor bill was 
 for a week of half-done work. The messenger bill was for 
 two days, no caddying at all. If you come you will come 
 for not less than eight and what you earn extra over that. 
 I don't agree to better service for less pay. If you will 
 have things between us on a commercial basis, so will 
 I." 
 
 "Oh the Big Brother business would be all right with 
 you," conceded Mickey, "but I don't just like the way it's 
 managed, mostly. God didn't make us brothers no more 
 than he did all men, so we better not butt in and try to 
 fix things over for Him. Looks to me like we might cut
 
 BIG BROTHER 183 
 
 the brother business and just be friends. I could be an 
 awful good friend to you, honest I could!" 
 
 "And I to you Mickey," said Douglas Bruce, holding 
 out his hand. "Have it as you will. Friends, then! 
 Look for you at noon to-morrow. Now we play. Hop in 
 and we'll run to my rooms and get my clubs." 
 
 "Shall I sit up with your man?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "My friends sit beside me," said Douglas. 
 
 Mickey spoke softly: "Yes, but if I watched him sharp, 
 maybe I could get the hang of driving for you. Think 
 what a lump that would save. When I'm going, I'd love 
 to drive, just for the fun of it." 
 
 "And I wouldn't allow you to drive for less than I pay 
 him," said Douglas. 
 
 "I don't see why!" exclaimed Mickey. 
 
 "When you grow older and know me better, you will." 
 
 While the car was running its smoothest, while the 
 country Mickey had not seen save on rare newsboy ex- 
 cursions, flashed past, while the wonder of the club house, 
 the links, and the work he would have loved to do de- 
 veloped, he shivered and cried in his tormented little soul: 
 " Gee, how will I ever keep Lily warm ? " Douglas noticed 
 his abstraction and wondered. He had expected more ap- 
 preciation of what Mickey was seeing and doing; he was 
 coming to the realization that he would find out what was 
 in the boy's heart in his own time and way. On the home 
 run, when Douglas reached his rooms, he told the driver to 
 take Mickey to the end of the car line; the boy shyly inter- 
 posed to ask if he might go to the "Star of Hope Hospital," 
 so Douglas changed the order.
 
 184 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey's passport held good at the hospital. The Sun- 
 shine Nurse inspected the cakes and approved them. She 
 was so particular she even took a tiny nibble of one and 
 said : " Sugar, flour, egg and shortening all right Mickey, 
 those can't hurt her. And how is she to-day?" 
 
 "Fine!" cried Mickey. "She is getting a lot stronger 
 already. She can sit up longer and help herself better, and 
 she's got ribbons, the prettiest you ever laid eyes on, that a 
 lady gave me for her hair, and they make her pink and 
 nicer; and she's got a baby doll in long clean white dresses 
 to snuggle down and stay with her all day; and she's got a 
 slate, and a book, and she knows 'cow' and 'milk' and my 
 name, and to-day she is learning 'bread.' To-morrow I 
 am going to teach her 'baby,' and she can say her prayer 
 too nice for anything, once we got it fixed so she'd say it at 
 all." 
 
 "What did you teach her, Mickey?" 
 
 "Now I lay me,' only Lily wouldn't say it the way She 
 taught me. You see Lily was all alone with her granny 
 when she winked out and it scared her most stiff, so when 
 I got to that 'If I should die before I wake,' line, she just 
 went into fits, and remembering what I'd seen myself, I 
 didn't blame her; so I changed it for her 'til she liked it." 
 
 "Tell me about it, Mickey?" said the nurse. 
 
 "Well you see she has a window, so she can see the stars 
 and the sun. She knows them, so I just shifted the old sad, 
 scary lines to: 
 
 'Guard me through the starry night, 
 Wake me safe with sunshine bright!"
 
 BIG BROTHER 185 
 
 "But Mickey, that's lovely!" cried the nurse. "Wait 
 till I write it down ! I'll teach it to my little people. Half 
 of them come here knowing that prayer and when they are 
 ill, they begin to think about it. Some of them are old 
 enough to worry over it. Why you're a poet, Mickey!" 
 
 "Sure!" conceded Mickey. "That's what I'm going to 
 be when I get through school. I'm going to write a poetry 
 piece about Lily for the first sheet of the Herald that'll be 
 so good they'll pay me to write one every day, but all of 
 them will be about her." 
 
 "Mickey, is there enough of such a little girl to furnish 
 one every day?" asked the nurse. 
 
 "Surest thing you know!" cried Mickey enthusiasti- 
 cally. "Why there are the hundred gold rings on her 
 head, one for each; and her eyes, tender and teasy, and sad 
 and glad, one for each; and the colour of them different a 
 dozen times a day, and her little white face, and her lips, 
 and her smile, and when she's good, and when she's bad; 
 why Miss, there's enough of Lily for a book big as Mr. 
 Bruce's biggest law book." 
 
 "Well Mickey!" cried the girl laughing. "There's no 
 question but you will write the poetry, only I can't recon- 
 cile it with the kind of a hustler you are. I thought poets 
 were languid, dreamy, up-in-the-clouds kind of people." 
 
 "So they are," explained Mickey. "That comes later. 
 First I got to hustle to get Lily's back Carreled and us 
 through school, and ready to write the poetry; then it will 
 take so much dreaming to think out what is nicest about 
 her, and how to say it best, that it would make any fellow 
 languid you can see how that would be!"
 
 186 ' MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Yes, I see!" conceded the nurse. "Mickey, by Car- 
 reling her back, do you mean Dr. Carrel?" 
 
 "Sure!" cried Mickey. "You see I read a lot about 
 him in the papers I sell. He's the biggest man in the world ! 
 He's bigger than emperors and kings! They why the 
 biggest thing they can do is to kill all their strongest, 
 bravest men. He's so much bigger than kings, that he can 
 cake men they shoot to pieces and put them together again. 
 Killing men ain't much! Anybody can do killing! Look 
 at him making folks live! Gee, hes big ! " 
 
 "And you think he can make Lily's back better?" 
 
 "Why I know he can!" said Mickey earnestly. "That 
 wouldn't be a patching to what he has done! Soon as you 
 say she is strong enough, I'm going to write to him and 
 tell him all about her, and when I get the money saved, 
 he'll come and fix her. Sure he will!" 
 
 "If you could get to him and tell him yourself, I really 
 believe he would," marvelled the nurse. "But you see 
 it's like this, Mickey: when men are as great as he is, 
 just thousands of people want everything of them, and 
 write letters by the hundreds, and if all of them were 
 read there would be time for nothing else, so a secre- 
 tary opens the mail and decides what is important, and 
 that way the big people don't always know about the 
 ones they would answer if they were doing it. He's been 
 here in this very hospital; I've seen him operate once. 
 Next time a perfectly wonderful case comes in, that is in 
 his peculiar line, no doubt he will be notified and come 
 again. Then if I could get word to you, and you could 
 get Lily here, possibly just possibly he would listen to
 
 BIG BROTHER 187 
 
 you and look at her of course I can't say surely he 
 would but I think he would!" 
 
 "Why of course he would!" triumphed Mickey. "Of 
 course he would! He'd be tickled to pieces! He'd just 
 love to! Any man would! Why a white little flowersy- 
 girl who can't walk !" 
 
 "If you could reach him, I really think he would," said 
 the nurse positively. 
 
 "Well just you gimme a hint that he's here, and see 
 if I don't get to him," said Mickey. 
 
 "Is there any place I'd be certain to find you quickly, if 
 a chance should come?" she asked. "One never can tell. 
 He might not be here in years, but he might be called, 
 and come, to-morrow." 
 
 "Why yes!" cried Mickey. "Why of course! Why 
 the telephone! Call me where I work!" 
 
 "But I thought you were a 'newsy!'" said the nurse. 
 
 "Well I was," explained Mickey lifting his head, "but 
 I've give up the papers. I've graduated. I'm going to 
 sell out to-morrow. I'm going to work permanent for Mr. 
 Douglas Bruce. He's the biggest lawyer in Multiopolis. 
 He's got an office in the Iriquois Building, and his call is 
 5OO-X. Write that down too and put it where you can't 
 lose it. He's just a grand man. He asked about Lily 
 to-day. He said any time he'd do things for her. Sure 
 he would! He'd stop saving the taxpayers of Multi- 
 opolis, and take his car, and go like greased lightning for 
 a little sick girl. He's the grandest man and he's got a Joy 
 Lady that puts in most of her time making folks happy. 
 Either of them would! Why it's too easy to talk about J
 
 1 88 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 You call me, I take a car and bring her scooting! If I'd 
 see Lily standing on her feet, stepping right out like other 
 folks, I'd be so happy I'd almost bust wide open. Honest 
 I would! If he does come, you'd try hard to get me a 
 chance, wouldn't you?" 
 
 "I'd try as hard for you as I would for myself Mickey; 
 I couldn't promise more," she said. 
 
 "Lily's as good as fixed," exulted Mickey. "Why 
 there is that big easy car standing down in the street 
 waiting to take me home right now." 
 
 "Does Douglas Bruce send you home in his car?" 
 
 "Oh no, not regular! This is extra! Work is over 
 for to-day so we went to the golf links; then he lets his 
 man take me while he bathes and dresses to go to his 
 Joy Lady. Gee, I got to hurry or I'll make the car late; 
 but I can talk with you all you will. I can send the car 
 back and walk or hop a 'tricity-wagon." 
 
 "Which is a street car?" queried the nurse. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. 
 
 "Well go hop it!" she laughed. "I can't spare more 
 time now, but I won't forget, Mickey; and if he comes 
 I'll keep him till you get here, if I have to chain him." 
 
 "You go to it!" cried Mickey. "And I'll begin praying 
 that he comes soon, and I'll just pray and pray so long and 
 so hard, the Lord will send him quick to get rid of being 
 asked so constant. No I won't either! Well wouldn't 
 that rattle your slats?" 
 
 "What, Mickey?" asked the nurse. 
 
 ''Why don't you see ? " cried Mickey. 
 
 'No, I don't see," admitted the girl.
 
 BIG BROTHER 189 
 
 "Well I do!" said Mickey. "What would be square 
 about that ? Why that would be asking the Lord to make 
 maybe some other little girl so sick, the Carrel man 
 would be sent for, so I'd get my chance for Lily. That 
 ain't business! I wouldn't have the cheek! What 
 would the Lord think of me ? He wouldn't come in a mile 
 of doing it. I wouldn't come in ten miles of having the 
 nerve to ask him. I do get up against it 'til my head 
 swims. And there is winter coming, too!" 
 
 The nurse put her arm around Mickey again, and gently 
 propelled him toward the elevator. 
 
 "Mickey," she said softly, her lips nipping his fair hair, 
 "God doesn't give many of us your clear vision and your 
 big heart. I'd have asked him that, with never a thought 
 of who would have to be ill to bring Dr. Carrel here. But 
 I'll tell you. You can pray this with a clean conscience: 
 you can ask God if the doctor does come, to put it into 
 his heart to hear you, and to examine Lily. That wouldn't 
 be asking ill for any one else so that you might profit by it. 
 And dear laddie, don't worry about winter. This city is 
 still taking care of its taxpayers. You do your best for 
 Lily all summer, and when winter comes, if you're not 
 fixed for it, I will see what your share is and you can have 
 it in a stove that will burn warm a whole day, and lots 
 of coal, plenty of it. I know I can arrange that." 
 
 "Gee, you're great!" he cried. "This is the biggest 
 thing that ever happened to me! I see now what I can 
 ask Him on the square; so it's business and all right; and 
 Mr. Bruce or Miss Leslie will loan me a car, and if you see 
 about the stove and the coal the city has for me" in came
 
 J9 o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 IViickey's royal flourish "why dearest Nurse Lady, Lily 
 is as good as walking right now! Gee! In my place 
 would you tell her?" 
 
 " I surely would," said the nurse. " It will do her good. 
 It will give her hope. Dr. Carrel isn't the only one who 
 can perform miracles; if he doesn't come by the time Lily 
 is strong enough to bear the strain of being operated, we 
 can try some other great man; and if she is shy, and timid 
 from having been alone so much, expecting it will make it 
 easier for her. By the way, wait until I bring some little 
 gifts, I and three of my friends have made for her in our 
 spare time. I think your mother's night dresses must be 
 big and uncomfortable for her, even as you cut them off. 
 Try these. Give her a fresh one each day. It is going to 
 be dreadfully hot soon. When she has used two, bring 
 them here and I'll have them washed for you." 
 
 "Now nix on that!" said Mickey. "You're a shining 
 angel bright to sew them for her, I'm crazy over them, but 
 I wash them. Mother showed me. That will be my 
 share. I can do it fine. And they will be better! She's 
 so lost in mother's, I have to shake them to find 
 her!" 
 
 They laughed together, then Mickey sped to the side- 
 walk and ordered the car back. 
 
 "I've been too long," he said. "Nurse Lady had some 
 things to tell me about a little sick girl and I was glad to 
 miss my ride for them. Mr. Bruce will be ready by now. 
 You go where he told you." 
 
 "I got twenty-seven minutes yet," said the driver. 
 " I can take you at least almost there. Hop in."
 
 BIG BROTHER 191 
 
 "Mither o' Mike!" cried Mickey. "Is that all there 
 is to it ? Gee, how I'd like to have a try at it." 
 
 "Are you going to be in Mr. Bruce's office from now 
 on?" asked the driver. 
 
 "If I can sell my paper line," answered Mickey. 
 
 "Got a good route?" inquired the man. 
 
 "Best of any boy in my district," said Mickey. "I 
 like to sell papers. I got it down fine!" 
 
 "I guess you have," said the driver. "I know your 
 voice, and everybody on your street knows that cry. Your 
 route ought to be worth a fair price. I got a kid that 
 wants a paper start. What would you ask to take him 
 over your round and tell the men you are turning your 
 business over to him, and teach him your cries?" 
 
 "Hum-m-m-m!" said Mickey. "My cry is whatever 
 has the biggest headlines on the front page, mixed in with 
 a lot of joyous fooling, and I'd have to see your boy 'fore 
 I'd say if I could teach him. Is he a clean kid with a joy- 
 ous face, and his anatomy decorated with a fine large 
 hump? That's the only kind that gets my job. I won't 
 have my nice men made sore all day 'cause they start it. 
 by seeing a kid with a boiled-owl face." 
 
 "You think a happy face sells most papers?" 
 
 "Know it!" said Mickey, "'cause I wear it en the job, 
 and I get away with the rest of them three tidies and com- 
 ing. Same everywhere as with the papers. A happy face 
 would work with your job, if you'd loosen up a link or two,, 
 and tackle it. It may crack your complexion, if you start 
 too violent, but taking it by easy runs and greasing the 
 ways 'fore you cut your cable, I believe you'd survive it!"
 
 i 9 2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey flushed and grinned in embarrassment when 
 people half a block away turned to look at his driver, and 
 the boy's mouth opened as a traffic policeman smiled in 
 sympathy when he waved his club, signalling them to 
 cross. Mickey straightened up reassured. 
 
 "Did you get that ?" he inquired. 
 
 ""I got it!" said the driver. "But it won't ever happen 
 again. McFinley has been on that crossing for five years 
 and that's his first smile on the job." 
 
 "Then make it your business to see that it ain't his 
 last !" advised Mickey. "There's no use growing morgue 
 lines on your mug; with all May running wild just to please 
 you and the man in the moon; loosen up, if you have to 
 tickle your liver with a torpedo to start you!" 
 
 "You brass monkey!" said the driver. "You climb 
 down right here, before I'm arrested for a plain 
 drunk." 
 
 " Don't you think it," called Mickey. " If you like your 
 job, man, cotton up to it; chuckle it under the chin, and 
 get real familiar. See? Try grin, 'stead of grouch just 
 one day and watch if the whole world doesn't look better 
 before night." 
 
 "Thanks kid, I'll think it over!" promised the driver. 
 
 Mickey hurried home to Peaches. He hid the cake and 
 the hospital '->ox under the things he bought for supper and 
 went to her \, : th empty hands. He could see she was 
 tired and hungry, so he gave her a drink of milk, and pro- 
 ceeded to the sponge bath and oil rub. These rested and 
 refreshed her so that Mickey demanded closed eyes, while 
 he slipped the dainty night-robe over her head, and tied
 
 BIG BROTHER 193 
 
 the pink ribbon on her curls. Then he piled the pillows, 
 leaned her against them and brought the mirror. 
 
 "Now open your peepers, Flowersy-girl, and tell me how 
 Miss O'Halloran strikes you!" he exulted. 
 
 Peaches took one long look. She opened her mouth. 
 Then she turned to Mickey and shut her mouth; shut it 
 and clapped both hands over it; so that he saw the very- 
 act of strangling a phrase he would have condemned. 
 
 "That's a nice lady!" he commented in joy. "Now let 
 me tell you! You got four of these gorgeous garments, 
 each one made by a different nurse-lady, while she was 
 resting. Every day you get a clean one, and I wash the 
 one you wore last, careful and easy not to tear the lacy 
 places. Ain't they the gladdest rags you ever saw!" 
 
 Peaches gasped: "Mickey, I'll bust!" 
 
 "Go on and bust then!" conceded Mickey. "Bust if 
 you must; but don't you dare say no words that ain't for 
 the ladiest of ladies, in that beautiful, softy, white dress." 
 
 Peaches set her lips, stretching her arms widely. She 
 sat straighter than Mickey ever had seen her, lifting 
 her head higher. Gradually a smile crept over her face. 
 She was seeing a very pinched, white little girl, with a 
 shower of yellow curls bound with a pink ribbon tied in a 
 big bow; wearing a dainty night dress with a fancy yoke 
 run with pink ribbons tied under her chin and at her 
 elbows. She crooked an arm, primped her mouth, and 
 peered at the puffed sleeves, then hastily gulped down 
 whatever she had been tempted to say. 
 
 Again Mickey approved. Despite protests he removed 
 the mirror, then put the doll in her arms. "Now you line
 
 i 9 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 up," he said. "Now you look alike! After you get your 
 supper, comes the joy part for sure." 
 
 "More joyous than this?" Peaches surveyed herself. 
 
 "Yes, Miss! The joyousest thing of all the world that 
 could happen to you," he said. 
 
 "But Mickey-lovest!" she cried in protest. "You 
 know you know what that would be!" 
 
 "Sure I know!" said Mickey. 
 
 "I don't believe it! It never could!" she cried. 
 
 "There you go!" said Mickey in exasperation. "You 
 make me think of them Texas bronchos kicking at every- 
 thing on earth, in the Wild West shows every spring. 
 Honest you do!" 
 
 "Mickey, you forgot my po'try piece to-night!" she in- 
 terposed hastily. 
 
 "What you want a poetry piece for with such a dress 
 and ribbon as you got?" he demanded. 
 
 "I like the po'try piece better than the dress or the rib- 
 bon," she asserted positively. 
 
 "You'll be saying better than the baby, next!" 
 
 "Yes, an' better than the baby!" 
 
 "You look out Miss," marvelled Mickey. "You got to 
 tell true or you can't be my family." 
 
 "Sure and true!" said Peaches emphatically. 
 
 "Well if I ever!" cried Mickey. "I didn't think you 
 was that silly!" 
 
 'Tain't silly!" said Peaches. "The po'try pieces is 
 you ! Tain't silly to like you better than a dress, and a 
 ribbon, or a Precious Child. I want my piece now!" 
 
 "Well I've been so busy to-day, I forgot your piece,
 
 BIG BROTHER 195 
 
 said Mickey. ' 'Nough things have happened to make me 
 forget my head, if 'twasn't fast. I forgot your piece. I 
 thought you'd like the dress and the joyous thing better."" 
 
 "Then you didn't forget it!" cried Peaches. "You 
 thought something else, and you thought what ain't! So 
 there! I want my po'try piece!" 
 
 "Well do you want it worse than your supper?" de- 
 manded Mickey. 
 
 "Yes I do!" said Peaches. 
 
 "Well use me for a mop!" cried Mickey. "Then you'll 
 have to wait 'til I make one." 
 
 "Go on and make it!" ordered the child. 
 
 "Well how do you like this?" 
 
 "Once a stubborn little kicker, 
 Kicked until she made me snicker. 
 If she had wings, she couldn't fly, 
 'Cause she'd be too stubborn to try/' 
 
 A belligerent look slowly spread over Peaches' face. 
 
 " That's no po'try piece," she scoffed, "an' I don't like 
 it at all, an' I won't write it on my slate; not if I never 
 learn to write anything. Mickey-lovest, please make a 
 nice one to save for my book. It's going to have three on 
 ev'ry page, an' a nice piece o' sky like right up there for 
 backs, and mebby mebby a cow on it!" 
 
 "Sure a cow on it," agreed Mickey. "I saw a lot to- 
 day! I'll tell you after supper. Gimme a little time to 
 think. I can't do nice ones right off." 
 
 "You did that one right off," said Peaches. 
 
 "Sure!" answered Mickey. "I was a little a little 
 perv^ked ! And you said that wasn't a nice one."
 
 196 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "And so it wasn't!" asserted Peaches positively. 
 
 "If I have a nice one ready when I bring supper, will 
 that do?" questioned Mickey. 
 
 "Yes," said Peaches. "But I won't eat my supper 'til 
 I have it." 
 
 "Now don't you get too bossy, Miss Chicken," warned 
 Mickey. "There's a surprise in this supper like you never 
 had in all your life. I guess you'd eat it, if you'd see it." 
 
 "I wouldn't 'til I had my po'try piece." 
 
 In consideration of the poetry piece Mickey desisted. 
 The inference was too flattering. Between narrowed lids 
 he looked at Lily. "You fool sweet little kid," he mut- 
 tered. Then he prepared supper. When he set it on the 
 table he bent over and taking both hands he said gently: 
 
 " Flowersy-girl of moonbeam white, 
 Golden head of sunshine bright, 
 Dancing eyes of sky's own blue, 
 No other flower in the world like you." 
 
 "Get the slate!" cried Peaches. "Get the slate! Now 
 that's a po'try piece. That's the best one yet. I'm going 
 to put that right under the cow!" 
 
 " Sure ! " said Mickey. " I think that's the best yet my- 
 self. You see, you make them come better every time, 
 'cause you get so much sweeter every day." 
 
 "Then why did you make the bad one?" she pouted. 
 
 "Well every time you just yell 'I won't,' without ever 
 giving me a chance to tell you what I'm going to do, or 
 why," explained Mickey. "If only you'd learn to wait a 
 little, you'd do better. If I was to tell you that Carrel 
 man was at the door with a new back for you, if you
 
 BIG BROTHER 197 
 
 turn over and let him put it in, I s'pose you'd yell: 'I 
 
 won't!'" 
 
 The first tinge of colour Mickey had seen, almost invis- 
 ibly faint, crept to the surface of Peaches' white cheek. 
 
 "Just you try it, Mickey-lovest ! " she exclaimed. 
 
 "Finish your supper, and see what I try." 
 
 Peaches obeyed. She had stopped grabbing and cram- 
 ming. She ate slowly, masticating each morsel as the 
 nurse told Mickey she should. To-night he found her so 
 dainty and charming, as she instinctively tried to be as 
 nice as her dress and supper demanded, that he forgot 
 himself, until she reminded him. Then he rallied and ate 
 his share. He presented the cakes, and while they en- 
 joyed them he described every detail of the day he thought 
 would interest her, until she had finished. He told her of 
 the nurse and the dresses and when she wanted to see the 
 others he said: "No sir! You got to wait till you are 
 bathed and dressed each evening, and then you can see 
 yourself, and that will be more fun than taking things all 
 at once. You needn't think I'm coming in here every 
 night with a great big lift-the-roof surprise for you. Most 
 nights there won't be anything for you only me, and your 
 supper." 
 
 "But Mickey, them's the nicest nights of all!" said 
 Peaches. "I like thinking about you better than nurse- 
 ladies, or joy-ladies, or my back, even; if it wasn't for hav- 
 ing supper ready to help you." 
 
 "There you go again!" exclaimed Mickey. "Cut that 
 stuff out, kid ! You'll get me so broke up, I won't be fit for 
 nothing but poetry, and that's tough eating; there's a lot
 
 T 9 8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 must come, Tore I just make a business of it. Now Miss, 
 you brace up, and get this: the Carrel man has been in 
 this very burg. See! Our Nurse Lady at the 'Star of 
 Hope* has watched him making some one over. Every 
 time anybody is brought there with a thing the matter 
 with them, that he knows best how to cure, the big head 
 knifers slip it over to him, so he comes and does it to get 
 practice on the job. He may not come for a long time; 
 lie might come to-morrow. See?" 
 
 "Oh Mickey! Would he?" gasped Peaches. 
 
 "Why sure he would!" cried Mickey with his most 
 elaborate flourish. "Sure he would! That's what he 
 lives for. He'd be tickled to pieces to make over the back 
 of a little girl that can't walk. Sure he would! What I 
 ain't sure of is that you wouldn't gig back and say, 'I 
 won't!' if you had a chance to be fixed." 
 
 Peaches spoke with deliberate conviction: "Mickey, 
 I'm most sure I've about quit that!" 
 
 "Well, it's time!" said Mickey. "What you got to do 
 is to eat, and sleep, and be bathed, and rubbed, and get so 
 big and strong that when I come chasing up the steps and 
 say, 'He s here, Lily, clap your arms around my neck and 
 <:ome to the china room and the glass table and be fixed,' 
 you just take a grip and never open your head. See! 
 You can be a game little kid, the gamest I ever saw, you 
 will then, Lily, won't you?" 
 
 "Sure!" she promised. "I'll just grab you and I'll say, 
 "Go Mickey, go h !'" 
 
 "Wope! Wope there lady!" interposed Mickey. "Look 
 out! There's a subm'rine coming. Sink it! Sink it!"
 
 BIG BROTHER 199 
 
 "Mickey what's a subm'rine?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Why it's like this," explained Mickey. "There's 
 places where there's water, like I bring to wash you, only 
 miles and miles of it, such a lot, it's called an ocean 
 
 "Sure! 'Crost it where the kings is makin' people kill 
 theirselves," cried Peaches. 
 
 "Yes," agreed Mickey. "And on the water, sailing 
 along like a lady, is a big, beautiful ship. Then there's a 
 nasty little boat that can creep under the water. It slips 
 up when she doesn't know it's coming, and blows a hole 
 in the fine ship and sinks her all spoiled. But if the nice 
 ship sees the subm'rine coming and sinks it, why then she 
 stays all nice, and isn't spoiled at all. See?" 
 
 "Subm'rines spoil things?" ventured Peaches. 
 
 "They were just invented for that, and nothing else." 
 
 "Mickey, I'll just say, 'Hurry! Run fast!' Mickey, 
 can you carry me that far?" she asked anxiously. 
 
 "No, I can't carry you that far," admitted Mickey. 
 "But Mr. Douglas Bruce, that we work for after this, 
 will let me take his driver and his nice, easy car, and it 
 will beat street-cars a mile, and we'll just go sailing for 
 the 'Star of Hope' and get your back made over, and then 
 comes school and everything girls like. See?" 
 
 "Mickey, what if he never comes?" wavered Peaches. 
 
 "Yes, but he will /" said Mickey positively. 
 
 "Mickey, what if he should come, an* wouldn't even 
 look at my back?" she pursued. 
 
 "Why he'd be glad to!" cried Mickey. "Don't be 
 silly. Give the man some chance!"
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 
 
 NELLIE MINTURN returned to her room too 
 dazed to realize her suffering. She had intended 
 doing something; the fringed orchids reminded 
 her. She rang for water to put them in, while her maid 
 with shaking fingers dressed her, then ordered the car. 
 The girl understood that some terrible thing had happened 
 and offered to go with the woman who moved so mechani- 
 cally she proved she scarcely knew what she was do- 
 ing. 
 
 "No," said Mrs. Minturn. "No, the little soul has been 
 out there a long time alone, her mother had better go alone 
 and see how it is." 
 
 She entered the car, gave her order and sank back 
 against the seat. When the car stopped, she descended 
 and found the gates guarding the doors of the onyx vault 
 locked. She pushed her flowers between the bars, drop- 
 ping them before the doors, then wearily sank on the 
 first step, leaning her head against the gate, trying to 
 think, but she could not. Near dawn her driver spoke to 
 her. 
 
 "It's almost morning," he said. "You've barely time 
 to reach home before the city will be stirring." 
 
 She paid no attention, so at last he touched her. 
 
 200
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 201 
 
 "You, Weston?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes, Madam," he said. "I'm afraid for you. I ven- 
 tured to come closer than you said. Excuse me." 
 
 "Thank you Weston," she answered. 
 
 "Let me drive you home now, Madam," he begged. 
 
 "Just where would you take me if you were taking me 
 home, Weston ? " 
 
 "Where we came from," he replied. 
 
 "Do you think that has ever been a home, Weston?" 
 
 "I have thought it the finest home in Multiopolis, 
 Madam," said the driver in surprise. 
 
 She laughed bitterly. "So have I, Weston. And to- 
 day I have learned what it really is. Help me, Weston! 
 Take me back to the home of my making." 
 
 When he rang for her, she gave him an order: "Find 
 Mr. John Haynes and bring him here immediately." 
 
 "Bring him now, Madam?" he questioned. 
 
 "Immediately, I said," she repeated. 
 
 "I will try, Madam," said Weston. 
 
 "You will bring him at once if he is in Multiopolis," she 
 said with finality. 
 
 Weston knew that John Haynes was her lawyer; he had 
 brought him from his residence or office at her order many 
 times; he brought him again. At once John Haynes dis- 
 missed all the servants in the Minturn household, arranged 
 everything necessary, and saw Mrs. Minturn aboard a 
 train in company with a new maid of his selection; then he 
 mailed a deed of gift of the Minturn residence to the city 
 of Multiopolis for an endowed Children's Hospital. The 
 morning papers briefly announced the departure and the
 
 202 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 gift. At his breakfast table James Minturn read both 
 items, then sat in deep thought. 
 
 "Not like her!" was his mental comment. "I can 
 understand how that place would become intolerable to 
 her; but I never knew her to give a dollar to the suffering. 
 Now she makes a princely gift, not because she is gener- 
 ous, but because the house has become unbearable; and as 
 usual, with no thought of any one save herself. If the 
 city dares accept, how her millionaire neighbours will rage 
 at disease and sickness being brought into the finest resi- 
 dence district! Probably the city will be compelled to sell 
 it and build somewhere else. But there is something 
 fitting in the reparation of turning a building that has been 
 a place of torture to children, into one of healing. It 
 proves that she has a realizing sense." 
 
 He glanced around the bright, cheerful breakfast room, 
 with its carefully set, flower-decorated table, at his sister 
 at its head, at a son on either hand, at a pleasant-faced 
 young tutor on one side, and his Little Brother on the 
 other; for so had James Minturn ordered his house- 
 hold. 
 
 Mrs. Winslow had left a home she loved to come at her 
 brother's urgent call for help to save his boys. The tutor 
 had only a few hours of his position, and thus far his salary 
 seemed the attractive feature. James Jr. and Malcolm 
 were too dazed to be natural for a short time. They had 
 been picked up bodily, and carried kicking and screaming 
 to this place, where they had been dressed in plain durable 
 clothing. Malcolm's bed stood beside Little Brother's in 
 a big sunny room; James' was near the tutor's in a chamber
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 203 
 
 the counterpart of the other, save for its bookcases lining 
 one wall. 
 
 There was a schoolroom not yet furnished with more 
 than tables and chairs, its floors and walls bare, its win- 
 dows having shades only. When worn out with the 
 struggle the amazed boys had succumbed to sleep on little, 
 hard, white beds with plain covers; had awakened to a 
 cold bath at the hands of a man, and when they rebelled 
 and called for Lucette and their accustomed clothing, were 
 forcibly dressed in linen and khaki. 
 
 In a few minutes together before they were called to 
 breakfast, James had confided to Malcolm that he thought 
 if they rushed into William's back with all their strength, 
 on the top step, they could roll him downstairs and bang 
 him up good. Malcolm had doubts, but he was willing to 
 try. William was alert, because as many another " newsy " 
 he had known these boys in the park; so when the rush 
 came, a movement too quick for untrained eyes to follow 
 swung him around a newel post, while both boys bumping, 
 screaming, rolled to the first landing and rebounded from 
 a wall harder than they. When no one hastened at their 
 screams to pick them up, they arose fighting each other. 
 The tutor passed and James tried to kick him, merely 
 because he could. He was not there either, but he stopped 
 for this advice to the astonished boy: "If I were you I 
 wouldn't do that. This is a free country, and if you have 
 a right to kick me, I have the same right to kick you. I 
 wouldn't like to do it. I'd rather allow mules and vicious 
 horses to do the kicking; still if you're bound to kick, I can; 
 but my foot is so much bigger than yours, and if I forgot
 
 204 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and took you for a football, you'd probably have to go to 
 the hospital and lie in a plaster cast a week or so. If I 
 were you, I wouldn't! Let's go watch the birds till break- 
 fast is called, instead." 
 
 The invitation was not accepted. The tutor descended 
 alone. As he stepped to the veranda he met Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Well?" that gentleman asked tersely. 
 
 Mr. Tower shook his head. He was studying law. He 
 needed money to complete his course. He needed many 
 things he could acquire from James Minturn. 
 
 "It's a problem," he said guardedly. 
 
 "You draw your salary for its solution," Mr. Minturn 
 said tartly. "Work on the theory I outlined; if it fails 
 after a fair test, we'll try another. Those boys have got to 
 be saved. They are handsome little chaps with fine bodies 
 and good ancestry. What happened just now?" 
 
 "They tried to rush William on the top step. William 
 evaporated, so they took the fall themselves." 
 
 "Exactly right," commented Mr. Minturn. "Get the 
 idea and work on it. Every rough, heartless thing they at- 
 tempt, if at all possible, make it a boomerang to strike 
 them their own blow; but you reserve blows as a last re- 
 sort. There is the bell." Mr. Minturn called: "Boys! 
 The breakfast bell is ringing. Come!" 
 
 There was not a sound. Mr. Minturn nodded to the 
 tutor. Together they ascended the stairs. They found 
 the boys hidden in a wardrobe. Mr. Minturn opened the 
 door, gravely looking at them. 
 
 " Boys," he said, "you're going to live with me after this, 
 so you're to come when I call you. You're going to eat the
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 205 
 
 food that makes men of boys, where I can see what you get. 
 You are going to do what I believe best for you, until you 
 are so educated that you are capable of thinking for your- 
 selves. Now what you must do, is to come downstairs and 
 take your places at the table. If you don't feel hungry, 
 you needn't eat; but I would advise you to make a good 
 meal. I intend to send you to the country in the car. 
 You'll soon want food. With me you will not be allowed 
 to lunch at any hour, in cafes and restaurants. If you 
 don't eat your breakfast you will get nothing until noon. 
 It is up to you. Come on!" 
 
 Neither boy moved. Mr. Minturn smiled at them. 
 
 * 
 
 "The sooner you quit this, the sooner all of us will be 
 comfortable," he said casually. "Observe my size. See 
 Mr. Tower, a college athlete, who will teach you ball, foot- 
 ball, tennis, swimming in lakes and riding, all the things 
 that make boys manly men; better stop sulking in a closet 
 and show your manhood. With one ringer either of us 
 can lift you out and carry you down by force; and we will, 
 but why not be gentlemen and walk down as we do?" 
 
 Both boys looked at him; then at each other, but re- 
 mained where they were. 
 
 "Time is up!" said Mr. Minturn. "They've had their 
 chance, Mr. Tower. If they won't take it, they must 
 suffer the consequences. Take Malcolm, I'll bring 
 James." 
 
 Instantly both boys began to fight. No one bribed 
 them to stop, struck them, or did anything at all according 
 to precedent. They raged until they exposed a vulner- 
 able point, then each man laid hold, lifted and carefully
 
 206 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 carried down a boy, placing him on a chair. James in- 
 stantly slid to the floor. 
 
 "Take James' chair away!" ordered Mr. Minturn. 
 "He prefers to be served on the floor." 
 
 Malcolm laughed. 
 
 "I don't either. I slipped," cried James. 
 
 "Then excuse yourself, resume your chair, and be 
 mighty careful you don't slip again." 
 
 James looked at his father sullenly, but at last muttered. 
 "Excuse me," and took the chair. With bright inflamed 
 eyes they stared at their almost unknown father, who now 
 had them in his power; at a woman they scarcely knew, 
 whom they were told to call Aunt Margaret; at a strange 
 man who was to take Lucette's place, and who had a grip 
 that made hers seem feeble, and who was to teach them the 
 things of which they knew nothing, and therefore hated; 
 and at a boy nearer their own size and years, whom their 
 father called William. Both boys refused fruit and cereal, 
 rudely demanding cake and ice cream. Margaret Win- 
 slow looked at her brother in despair. He placidly ate his 
 breakfast, remarking that the cook was a treasure. As he 
 left the table Mr. Minturn laid the papers before his sister, 
 indicating the paragraphs he had read, then calling for his 
 car he took the tutor and the boys and left for his office. 
 He ordered them to return for him at half-past eleven, and 
 with minute instructions as to how they were to proceed, 
 Mr. Tower and William drove to the country to begin the 
 breaking in of the Minturn boys. 
 
 They disdained ball, did not care for football, impro- 
 vised golf clubs and a baseball were not interesting, fur-
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 207 
 
 ther than the use of the clubs on each other, which was not 
 allowed. They did not care what the flowers were, they 
 jerked them up by the roots when they saw it annoyed 
 Mr. Tower, while every bird in range flew from a badly 
 aimed stone. They tried chasing a flock of sheep, which 
 chased beautifully for a short distance, then a ram de- 
 clined to run farther and butted the breath from Mal- 
 colm's small body until it had to be shaken in again. They 
 ran amuck and on finding they were not pursued, gave up, 
 stopping on the bank of a creek. There they espied 
 tiny shining fish swimming through the water and plunged 
 in to try to capture them. When Mr. Tower and William 
 came up, both boys were busy chasing fish. From a bank 
 where they sat watching came a proposal from William. 
 
 "Til tell you fellows, I believe if we could build a dam 
 we could catch them. Gather stones and pile them up 
 till I get my shoes off." 
 
 Instantly both boys obeyed. Mr. Tower and William 
 stripped their feet, and rolled their trousers. Into the 
 creek they went setting stones, packing with sod and muck, 
 using sticks and leaves until in a short time they had a dam 
 before which the water began rising, then overflowing. 
 
 "Now we must wait until it clears," said William. 
 
 So they sat under a tree to watch until in the clean 
 pool formed they could see little fish gathering. Then the 
 boys lay on the banks and tried to catch them with their 
 hands, and succeeded in getting a few. Mr. Tower sug- 
 gested they should make pools, one on each side of the 
 creek, for their fish, so they eagerly went to work. They 
 pushed and slapped each other, they fought over the same
 
 208 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 stone, but each constructed with his own hands a stone 
 and mud enclosed pool in which to pen his fish. They 
 were really interested in what they were doing, they really 
 worked, also soon they were really tired, they were really 
 hungry. With imperative voice they demanded food. 
 
 "You forget what your father told you at breakfast," 
 said Mr. Tower. "He knew you were coming to the 
 country where you couldn't get food. William and I are 
 not hungry. We want to catch these little fish, and see 
 who can get the most. We think it's fun. We can't take 
 the car back until your father said to come." 
 
 "You take us back right now, and order meat, and 
 cake, and salad and ice cream, lots of it!" stormed 
 James. 
 
 "I have to obey your father!" said Mr. Tower. 
 
 "I just hate fathers!" cried James. 
 
 "I'll wager you do!" conceded Mr. Tower. 
 
 James stared open mouthed. 
 
 "I can see how you feel," said Mr. Tower companion- 
 ably. "WTien a fellow has been coddled by nurses all his 
 life, has no muscle, no appetite except for the things he 
 shouldn't have, and never has done anything but silly 
 park-playing, it must be a great change to be out with men, 
 and doing as they do." 
 
 Both boys were listening, so he went on: "But don't 
 feel badly, and don't waste breath hating. Save it for the 
 grand fun we are going to have, and next time good food is 
 before you, eat like men. We don't start back for an hour 
 yet; see which can catch the most fish in that time." 
 
 "Where is Lucetter" demanded James.
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 209 
 
 "Gone back to her home across the ocean; you'll never 
 see her again," said Mr. Tower. 
 
 "Wish I could a-busted her head before she went!" said 
 James regretfully. 
 
 " No doubt," laughed Mr. Tower. " But break your own, 
 and see how it feels before you try it on any one else." 
 
 "I wish I could break yours!" cried James angrily. 
 
 "No doubt again," agreed the tutor, "but if you do, the 
 man who takes my place may not know how to make 
 bows and arrows, or build dams, or anything that's fun, 
 while he may not be so patient as I am." 
 
 " Being hungry ain't fun," growled Malcolm. 
 
 "That's your own fault," Mr. Tower reminded him. 
 "You wouldn't eat. That was a good breakfast." 
 
 "Wasn't a thing Lucette gave us!" scoffed James. 
 
 " But you don't like Lucette very well," said Mr. Tower. 
 "After you've been a man six months, you won't eat cake 
 for breakfast; or much of it at any time." 
 
 "Lucette is never coming back?" marvelled Malcom. 
 
 "Never!" said Mr. Tower conclusively. 
 
 "How soon are we going home?" demanded James. 
 
 "Never!" replied Mr. Tower. "You are going to live 
 where you were last night, after this." 
 
 "Where is mamma?" cried Malcolm. 
 
 "Gone for the summer," explained Mr. Tower. 
 
 "I know. She always goes," said James. "But she 
 took us before. I just hate it. I like this better. We 
 make no difference to her anyway. Let her go!" 
 
 "Ain't we rich boys any more?" inquired Malcolm. 
 
 "I don't know," said Mr. Tower. "That is your
 
 210 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 father's business. I think you have as much money as 
 ever, but from now on, you are going to live like men." 
 
 "We won't live like men!" cried both boys. 
 
 "Now look here/' said Mr. Tower kindly, "you may 
 take my word for it that a big boy almost ten years old, 
 and another nearly his age, who can barely read, who can't 
 throw straight, who can't swim, or row, or walk a mile 
 without puffing like an engine, who begins to sweat over 
 lifting a few stones, is a mighty poor specimen. You 
 think you are wonders because you've heard yourselves 
 called big, fine boys; you are soft fatties. I can take you 
 to the park and pick out any number of boys half your 
 size and age who can make either of you yell for mercy in 
 three seconds. You aren't boys at all; if you had to get 
 on your feet and hike back to town, before a mile you'd be 
 lying beside the road bellowing worse than I've heard you 
 yet. You aren't as tough and game as half the girls of 
 your age I know." 
 
 "You shut your mouth!" cried James in rage. "Moth- 
 er'll fire you!" 
 
 "It is you who are fired, young man," said the tutor. 
 "Your mother is far away by this time. She left you 
 boys with your father, who pays me to make men of you, 
 so I'm going to do it. You are big enough to know that 
 you'll never be men, motoring around with nurses, like 
 small babies; eating cake and cream when your bones and 
 muscles are in need of stiffening and toughening. William, 
 peel off your shirt, and show these chaps how a man's 
 muscle should be." 
 
 William obeyed, swelling- his muscles.
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 211 
 
 "Now you try that," suggested Mr. Tower to James, 
 'and see how much muscle you can raise." 
 
 "I'm no gutter snipe," he sneered. "I'm a gentleman! 
 I don't need muscle. I'm never going to work." 
 
 "But you've just been working!" cried the tutor. "Car- 
 rying those stones was work, and you'll remember it took 
 both of you to lift one that William, who is only a little 
 older than you, James, moved with one hand. You can't 
 play without working. You've got to pull to row a boat, 
 or hold a horse. You must step out lively to play ten- 
 nis, or golf, or to skate, while if you try to swim without 
 work, you'll drown." 
 
 "I ain't going to do those things!" retorted James. 
 
 "No, you are going to spend your life riding in an auto- 
 mobile with a nurse, feeding you cake!" scoffed the tutor. 
 
 William shouted and turned a cart wheel so flashingly 
 quick that both boys jumped. James' face coloured a 
 slow red, so the tutor took hope. 
 
 "I see that makes you blush," he said. "No wonder! 
 You should be as tough as leather, and spinning along this 
 creek bank like William. Instead you are a big, bloated 
 softy. You carry too much fat for your size, while you 
 are mushy as pudding! If I were you, I'd show my father 
 how much of a man I could be, instead of how much of a 
 baby." 
 
 "Father isn't a gentleman!" announced Malcolm. 
 "Lucette said so!" 
 
 "Hush!" cried Mr. Tower. "Don't you ever say that 
 again! Your father is one of the big men of this great 
 city: one of the men who think, plan, and make things
 
 212 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 happen, that result in health, safety and comfort for all 
 of us. One of the men who is going to rule, not only his 
 own home, but this city, and this whole state, one of these 
 days. You don't know your father. You don't know 
 what men say and think of him. You do know that 
 Lucette was fit for nothing but to wash and dress you like 
 babies, big boys who should have been ashamed to let a 
 woman wait on them. You do know that she is on her 
 way back where she came from, because she could not do 
 her work right. And you have the nerve to tell me what 
 she said about a fine, strong, manly man like your father. 
 I'm amazed at you!" 
 
 " Gentlemen don't work ! " persisted Malcolm. " Mother 
 said so!" 
 
 "I'm sorry to contradict your mother, but she forgot 
 something," said Mr. Tower. "If the world has any gen- 
 tlemen it surely should be those born for generations of 
 royal and titled blood, and reared from their cradles in 
 every tradition of their rank. Europe is full of them, and 
 many are superb men. I know a few. Now will you tell 
 me where they are to-day? They are down in trenches 
 six feet under ground, shivering in mud and water, half 
 dead for sleep, food, and rest, trying to save the land 
 of their birth, the homes they own, to protect the women 
 and children they love. They are marching miles, being 
 shot down in cavalry rushes, and blown up in boats they 
 are manning, in their fight to save their countries. Gentle- 
 men don't work ! You are too much of an idiot to talk 
 with, if you don't know how gentlemen of birth, rank and 
 by nature are working this very day."
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 213 
 
 The descent on him was precipitate and tumultuous. 
 
 "The war!" shouted both boys in chorus. ''Tell us 
 about the war! Oh I just love the war!" cried Malcolm. 
 "When I'm a man I'm going to have a big shiny sword, 
 and ride, and fight, and make the enemy fly! You ought 
 to seen Gretchen and Lucette fight! They ain't either 
 one got much hair left." 
 
 The tutor could not help laughing; but he made room 
 for a boy on either side of him, and began on the war. 
 It was a big subject, there were phases of it that shocked 
 and repulsed him; but it was his task to undo the wrong 
 work often years, he was forced to use the instrument that 
 would accomplish that end. With so much material he 
 could tell of things unavoidable, that men of strength and 
 courage were doing, not forgetting the boys and the 
 women. William stretched at his feet and occasionally 
 made a suggestion, or asked a question, while James and 
 Malcolm were interested in something at last. When it 
 was time to return, neither one wanted to start. 
 
 "Your father's orders were to come for him at half- 
 past eleven," reminded Mr. Tower. "I work for him, so 
 I must obey!" 
 
 "Nobody pays any attention to father," cried James. 
 "I order you to stay here and tell of the fighting. Tell 
 again about the French boy who wouldn't show where the 
 troops were. Again I say!" 
 
 "Oh, I am to take orders from you, am I?" queried Mr. 
 Tower. "All right! Pay my salary and give me the 
 money to buy our lunch!" 
 
 James stood thinking a second. "I have all the money
 
 2i 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 I want," he said. "I go to Mrs. Ranger for my money. 
 Mother always makes her give me what I ask for." 
 
 "You have forgotten that you have moved, and brought 
 only yourselves," said Mr. Tower. "Your mother and 
 the money are gone. Your father pays the bills now, and 
 if you'll watch sharp, you'll see that things have changed 
 since this time yesterday. Every one pays all the atten- 
 tion there is to father now. What we have, and do, and 
 want, must come from him, and as it's a big contract, and 
 he's needed to help manage this city, we'd better begin 
 thinking about father, and taking care of him as much as 
 we can. Now we are to obey him. Come on William. 
 It's lunch time, and I'm so hungry I can scarcely wait." 
 
 The boys clirrrbed into the car without a word, and be- 
 fore it had gone a mile Malcolm slipped against the tutor 
 and shortly thereafter James slid to the floor, tired to in- 
 sensibility and sound asleep. So Mr. Minturn found them 
 when he came from his office. He looked them over 
 carefully, wet, mud-stained, grimy, bruised and sleeping 
 in exhaustion. 
 
 "Poor little soldiers," he said. "Your battle has been 
 a hard one I see. I hope to God you gained a victory." 
 
 He entered the car, picked up James and taking him in 
 his arms laid the tired head on his breast, leaning his 
 face against the boy's hair. When the car stopped at the 
 new house, the tutor waited for instructions. 
 
 "Wake them up, make them wash themselves, and come 
 to lunch," said Mr. Mintum. "Afterward, if they are 
 sleepy, let them nap. They must establish regular habits 
 at the beginning. It's the only way."
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 215 
 
 Dashes of cold water helped, so William and the tutor 
 telling each other how hungry they were, brought two 
 boys ready to eat anything, to the table. Cake and 
 cream were not mentioned. Bread and milk, cold meat, 
 salad, and a plain pudding were delicious. As their 
 appetites were appeased, they both evinced a disposition 
 to talk. Between bites James studied his father criti- 
 cally, then suddenly burst forth: "Are you a gentleman?" 
 
 "I try to be/' answered Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Are you running this city?" put in Malcolm. 
 
 "I am doing what I can to help," said his father. 
 
 "Make Johnston take me home to get my money." 
 
 "You have no home but this," said Mr. Minturn. 
 "Your old home now belongs to the city of Multiopolis. 
 It is to be torn up and made over into a place where sick 
 children can be cured. If you are ever too ill for us to 
 manage, we'll take you there to be doctored." 
 
 "Will mother and Lucette be there?" asked James. 
 
 Malcolm nudged his brother. 
 
 "Can't you remember?" he said. "Lucette has gone 
 across the ocean, and she is never coming back, goody! 
 goody! And you know about how much mother cares 
 when we are sick. She's coming the other way, when 
 anybody is sick. She just hates sick people. Let them 
 go, and get your money /" 
 
 Thus reminded, James began again, "I want to get 
 my money." 
 
 "Your money came from your mother, so it went with 
 your home, your clothes, and your playthings," explained 
 Mr. Minturn. "You have none until you earn some. I
 
 216 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 can give you a home, education, and a fine position when 
 you are old enough to hold it; but I cant give you money. 
 No one ever gave me any. I always had to work for mine. 
 From now on you are going to live with me, so if you have 
 money you II have to go to work and earn it." 
 
 Both boys looked aghast at their father. "Ain't we 
 rich any more?" 
 
 "No," said Mr. Minturn. "Merely comfortable!" 
 
 James leaned back in his chair, twisting his body in its 
 smooth linen covering. He looked intently at the room, 
 table and people surrounding it. He glanced from the 
 window at the wide green lawn, the big trees, and for an 
 instant seemed to be listening to the birds singing there. 
 He laid down his fork, turning to his brother. Then he 
 exploded the bomb that shattered the family. 
 
 "Oh damn being rich!" he cried. "I like being com- 
 fortable a lot better! Malcolm, being rich has put us about 
 ten miles behind where we ought to be. We're baby-girl 
 softies! We wouldn't a-faced the guns and not told where 
 the soldiers were, we'd a-bellered for cake. Brace up! 
 Let's get in the game! Father, have we got to go on the 
 street and hunt work, or can you give us a job?" 
 
 James Minturn tried to speak, then pushing back his 
 chair left the table precipitately. James Jr. looked after 
 him doubtfully. He turned to Aunt Margaret. 
 
 "Please excuse me," he said. "I guess he choked. I'd 
 better go pound him on the back like Lucette does us." 
 
 Malcolm looked at Aunt Margaret. "Mother won't 
 let us work," he announced. 
 
 "It's like this Malcolm," said Aunt Margaret gently-
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 217 
 
 "Mother had charge of you for ten years. The women 
 she employed didn't train you as boys should be, so mother 
 has turned you over to father. For the next ten years 
 you will try another plan; after that, you will be big 
 enough to decide how you want to live; but now I think 
 you will just love father's way, if you will behave yourself 
 long enough to find out what fun it is." 
 
 "Mother won't like it," said Malcolm positively. 
 
 "I think she does dear, or she wouldn't have gone and 
 left you to try it," said Aunt Margaret. "She knew 
 what your father would think you should do; if she hadn't 
 thought he was right she would have taken you with her, 
 as she always did before." 
 
 "I just hate being taken on trains and boats with her. 
 So does James! We like the dam, the fish, and we're 
 going to have bows and arrows, to shoot at mark." 
 
 "And we are going to swim and row," added William. 
 
 "And we are going to be soldiers, and hurl back the en- 
 emy," boasted Malcolm, "ain't we Mr. Tower?" 
 
 "Indian scouts are more fun," suggested the tutor. 
 
 "And there is the money we must earn, if we've got to,'* 
 said Malcolm. "I guess father is telling James how. I'll 
 go ask him too. Excuse me, Aunt Margaret!" 
 
 "Of all the surprises I ever did have, this is the biggest 
 one!" said Aunt Margaret. "I was afraid I never could 
 like them. I thought this morning it would take years." 
 
 "There is nothing in the world like the receptivity and 
 plasticity of children," said the tutor. "I have taught 
 school, so I know that a child can settle in a new environ- 
 ment in a few hours."
 
 218 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Later James Minturn appeared on his veranda with a 
 small boy clinging to each hand. The trio came forth with 
 red eyes, but firmly allied. 
 
 "Call the car, if you please, William," said Senior. "I 
 am going to help build that dam higher, and see how 
 many fish I can catch for my pool." 
 
 Malcolm walked beside him, rubbing his head caress- 
 ingly across an arm. "We don't have to go on the streets 
 and hunt," he announced. "Father is going to find us 
 work. While the war is so bad, we better drink milk, and 
 send most we earn to boys who haven't any father. The 
 war won't take our father, will it?" 
 
 "To-night we will pray God not to let that happen," 
 said Aunt Margaret. "Is there room in the car for me 
 too, James? I haven't seen one of those little brook fish 
 in years!" 
 
 James Jr. went to her and leaned against her chair. "I 
 got three in my pool. You may see mine! I'll give you 
 one to keep." 
 
 "I'd love to see them," said Aunt Margaret. "I'll go 
 bring my hat. But I think you shouldn't give the fish 
 away, James. They belong to God. He made their 
 home in the water. If you take them out, you will 
 kill them, and He won't like that. Let's just look at them, 
 and leave them in the water." 
 
 "Malcolm, the fish 'belong to God,'" said James, turn- 
 ing to his brother. "We may play with them, but we 
 mustn't take them out of the water and hurt them." 
 
 "Well, who's going to take them out of the water?" 
 cried Malcolm. "I'm just going to scoot one over into
 
 JAMES JR. AND MALCOLM 219 
 
 father's pool to start him. Will you give him one 
 too?" 
 
 "Yes," said James Jr. 
 
 "The next money I earn, I shall send to the war; but the 
 first time I rake the lawn, and clean the rugs, I'll give 
 what I earn to father, so he will have more time to play 
 with us. Father is the biggest man in this city!" 
 
 "It may take a few days to get a new regime started," 
 said father, "I've lived only for work so long; but as 
 soon as it's possible, my day will be so arranged that some 
 part of it shall be yours, boys, to show me what you are 
 doing. I think one day can be given wholly to taking 
 a lunch and going to the country." 
 
 With an ecstatic whoop they rushed James Minturn, 
 whose wide aching arms opened to them.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 
 
 "*W "W THAT are your plans for this summer, Leslie?" 
 
 % i\ I asked Mr. Winton over his paper at breakfast. 
 "The real question is, what are yours?" 
 
 "I have none," said Mr. Winton. "I can't see my way 
 to making any for myself. Between us, strictly, Swain 
 has been hard hit. He gave me my chance in life. It isn't 
 in my skin to pack up and leave for the sea-shore or the 
 mountains on the results of what he helped me to, and 
 allow him to put up his nght alone. If you understood, 
 you'd be ashamed of me if I did, Leslie." 
 
 "But I do understand, Daddy!" cried the girl. "What 
 makes you think I don't ? All my life you've been telling 
 me how you love Mr. Swain and what a splendid big thing 
 he did for you when you were young. Is the war making 
 business awfully hard for you men?" 
 
 "Close my girl," said Mr. Winton. "Bed rock 
 close!" 
 
 "That is what cramps Mr. Swain?" she continued. 
 
 "It is what cramps all of us," said Mr. Winton. "It 
 hit him with peculiar force because he had made bad in- 
 vestments. He was running light anyway in an effort to 
 recoup. All of us are on a tension brought about by the 
 result of political changes, to which we were struggling
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 221 
 
 to adjust ourselves, when the war began working greater 
 hardships and entailing millions of loss and expenses." 
 
 "I see, and that's why I said the real question was, 
 'what are your plans?'" explained Leslie, "because when 
 I find out, if perchance they should involve staying on the 
 job this summer, why I wanted to tell you that I'm on 
 the job too. I've thought out the grandest scheme." 
 
 "Yes, Leslie? Tell me!" said Mr. Winton. 
 
 "It's like this," said Leslie. "Everybody is economiz- 
 ing, shamelessly and that's a bully word, Daddy, for in 
 most instances it is shameless. Open faced 'Lord save me 
 and my wife, and my son John and his wife.' In our 
 women's clubs and lectures, magazines and sermons, we've 
 had a steady dose all winter of hard times, and economy, 
 and I've tried to make my friends see that their efforts at 
 economy are responsible for the very hardest crux of the 
 hard times." 
 
 "You mean, Leslie ?" suggested Mr. Winton eagerly. 
 
 "I mean all of us quit using eggs, dealers become fright- 
 ened, eggs soar higher. Economize on meat, packers buy 
 less, meat goes up. All of us discharge our help, army of 
 unemployed swells by millions. It works two ways, and 
 every friend I've got is economizing for herself, and with 
 every stroke for herself she is weakening her nation's fi- 
 nancial position and putting a bigger burden on the map- 
 she is trying to help." 
 
 "Well Leslie " cried her father. 
 
 "The time has come for women to find out what it is 
 all about, then put their shoulders to the wheel of life 
 and push. But before we gain enough force to start with
 
 222 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 any momentum, women must get together and decide 
 what they want, what they are pushing for." 
 
 "Have you decided what you are pushing for?'* 
 
 "Unalterably!" cried the girl. 
 
 "And what is it?" asked her father. 
 
 "My happiness! My joy in life!" she exclaimed. 
 
 "And exactly in what do you feel your happiness con- 
 sists, Leslie?" he asked. 
 
 "You and Douglas! My home and my men and what 
 they imply!" she answered instantly. "As I figure it, 
 it's homes that count, Daddy. If the nation prospers, the 
 birth rate of Americans has got to keep up, or soon the 
 immigrants will be in control everywhere, as they are in 
 places, right now. Births imply homes. Homes suggest 
 men to support them, women to control them. If the 
 present unrest resolves itself into a personal question, so 
 far as the women are concerned at least, if you are going 
 to get to primal things, whether she realizes it or no, what 
 each woman really wants she learns, as Nellie Minturn 
 learned when she took her naked soul into the swamp and 
 showed it to her God what each woman wants is her man, 
 her cave, and her baby. If the world is to prosper, that 
 is woman's work, why don't you men who are doing big 
 things realizs it, and do yourselves what women are going to 
 be forced from home to do, mighty soon now, if you don't ! " 
 
 "Well Leslie!" cried Mr. Winton. 
 
 "You said that before Daddy!" exclaimed the girl. 
 "Yet what you truly want of a woman is a home and 
 children. Children imply to all men what I am to you. 
 If some men have not reared their children so that they
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 223 
 
 receive from them what you get from me, it is time for the 
 men to realize this, and change their methods of rearing 
 their daughters and sons. A home should mean to every 
 man what your home does to you. If all men do not get 
 from their homes what you do, in most cases it is their own 
 fault. Of course I know there are women so abominably 
 obsessed with self, they refuse to become mothers, and 
 prefer a cafe, with tangoing between courses, to a home; 
 such women should have first the ducking stool, and if that 
 isn't efficacious, extermination; they are a disgrace to our 
 civilization and the weakest spot we have. They are at 
 the bottom of the present boiling discontent of women 
 who really want to be home loving, home keeping. They 
 are directly responsible for the fathers, sons, brothers, and 
 lovers with two standards of morals. A man reared in 
 the right kind of a home, by a real mother, who goes into 
 other homes of the same kind, ruled by similar mothers, 
 when he leaves his, and marries the right girl and estab- 
 lishes for himself a real home, is not going to go wrong. 
 It is the sons, lovers, and husbands of the women who re- 
 fuse home and children, and carry their men into a per- 
 petual round of what they deem pleasure in their youth, 
 who find life desolate when age begins to come, and who 
 instantly rebel strongest against the very conditions they 
 have made. I've been listening to you all my life, Daddy, 
 and remembering mother, reading, thinking, and watching 
 for what really pays, and believe me, I've found out. I 
 gave Nellie Minturn the best in my heart the other day, 
 but you should see what I got back. Horrors, Daddy! 
 Just plain horrors! I said to Douglas that night when I
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 read him the letter I afterward showed you, that if, as she 
 suggested, I was 'ever faintly tempted to neglect home 
 life for society/ in her I would have all the 'horrible 
 example' I'd ever need, and rest assured I shall." 
 
 "Poor woman !" exclaimed Mr. Winton. 
 
 "Exactly!" cried Leslie. "And the poorest thing 
 about it is that she is not to blame in the least. You and 
 my mother could have made the same kind of a woman of 
 me. If you had fed rrue cake instead of bread; if you had 
 given me candy instead of fruit; if you had taken me to the 
 .show instead of entertaining me at home; if you had sent 
 me to summer resorts instead of summering with me in the 
 country, you'd have had another Nellie on your hands. 
 The world is full of Nellies, but where one woman flees 
 too strict and monotonous a home, to make a Nellie out of 
 herself, ten are taken out and deliberately moulded, drilled 
 .and fashioned into Nellies by their own parents. I have 
 .lain awake at nights figuring this, Daddy; some woman is 
 urging me every day to join different movements, and 
 I've been forced to study this out. I know the cause of 
 the present unrest among women." 
 
 "And it is ?" suggested Mr. Winton. 
 
 "It is the rebound from the pioneer lives of our grand- 
 mothers! They .and their mothers were at one extreme; 
 we are at the widest sweep of the other. They were forced 
 to enter the forest and in most cases defend themselves 
 .from savages and animals; to work without tools, to live 
 with few comforts, In their determination to save their 
 children from hardships, they lost sejise, ballast and rea- 
 son. They have saved them to such an extent they have
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 225 
 
 lost them. By the very method of their rearing, they 
 have robbed their children of love for, and interest in, 
 home life, and with their own hands sent them to cafes 
 and dance halls, when they should be at their homes train- 
 ing their children for the fashioning of future homes. I 
 tell you, Daddy " 
 
 "Leslie, tell me this," interposed Mr. Winton. "Did 
 you get any small part of what you have been saying to 
 me, from me ? Do you feel what I have tried to teach you, 
 and the manner in which I have tried to rear you, have 
 put your love for me into your heart and such ideas as you 
 are propounding into your head?" 
 
 "Of course, Daddy!" cried the girl. "Who else? 
 Mother was dear and wonderful, but I scarcely remember 
 her. What you put into the growth of me, that is what is 
 bound to come out, when I begin to live independently." 
 
 "This is the best moment of my life!" said Mr. Win- 
 ton. "From your birth you have been the better part 
 of me, to me; and with all my heart I have tried to fashion 
 you into such a woman for a future home, as your mother 
 began, and you have completed for me. Other things 
 have failed me; I count you my success, Leslie!" 
 
 "Oh Daddy!" cried the happy girl. 
 
 "Now go back to our start," said Mr. Winton. "You 
 have plans for the summer, of course! I realized that at 
 the beginning. Are you ready to tell me?" 
 
 "I am ready to ask you," she said. 
 
 "Thank you," said Mr. Winton. "I appreciate the 
 difference. Surely a man does enjoy counting for some- 
 thing with his women."
 
 226 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Spoiled shamelessly, dearest, that's what you are," 
 said Leslie. "A spoiled, pampered father! But to con- 
 clude. Mr. Swain helped you. Pay back, Daddy, no 
 matter what the cost; pay back. You help him, I'll help 
 you ! My idea was this: for weeks I've foreseen that you 
 wouldn't like to leave business this summer. Douglas is 
 delving into that investigation Mr. Minturn started him 
 on and he couldn't be dragged away. He's perfectly 
 possessed. Of course where my men are, like Ruth, 'there 
 will be I also,' so for days I've been working on a plan, and 
 now it's all finished and waiting your veto or approval." 
 
 "Thrilling, Leslie! Tell quickly. I'm all agog!" 
 
 "It's this: let's not go away and spend big sums on 
 travel, dress, and close the house, and throw our people 
 out of work. Do you realize, Daddy, how long you've 
 had the same housekeeper, cook, maid and driver? Do 
 you know how badly I'd feel to let them go, and risk 
 getting them back in the fall? My scheme is to rent, for 
 practically nothing, a log cabin I know, a little over an 
 hour's run from here a log cabin with four rooms and a 
 lean-to and a log stable, beside a lake where there is grand 
 fishing and swimming." 
 
 "But Leslie " protested Mr. Winton. 
 
 "Now listen!" cried the girl. "The rent is nominal. 
 We get the house, stable, orchard, garden, a few acres and 
 a rented cow. The cabin has two tiny rooms above, 
 one for you, the other for Douglas. Below, it has a 
 room for me, a dining-room and a kitchen. The big log 
 barn close beside has space in the hay-mow for the women, 
 and in one side below for our driver, the other for the cars.
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 227 
 
 Over the cabin is a grapevine. Around it there are fruit 
 trees. There is a large, rich garden. If I had your per- 
 mission I could begin putting in vegetables to-morrow that 
 would make our summer supply. Rogers " 
 
 "You are not going to tell me Rogers would touch a 
 garden?" queried Mr. Winton. 
 
 "I am going to tell you that Rogers has been with me 
 in every step of my investigations," replied Leslie. "Yes- 
 terday I called in my household and gave them a lecture 
 on the present crisis; I found them a remarkably well- 
 informed audience. They had a very distinct idea that 
 if I economized by dismissing them for the summer, and 
 leaving the house with a caretaker, what it would mean to 
 them. Then I took my helpers into the car and drove 
 out the Atwater road you know it well Daddy, the road 
 that runs smooth over miles of country and then in- 
 stead of jumping into a lake as it seems to be going to, it 
 swings into corduroy through a marsh, runs up on a little 
 bridge spanning the channel between two lakes, lifts to 
 Atwater lake shore, than which none is more lovely you 
 remember the white sand floor and the clean water for 
 swimming climbs another hill, and opposite beautiful 
 wood, there stands the log cabin I told you of, there I took 
 them and explained. They could clean up in a day; 
 Rogers could plant the garden and take enough on one 
 truck load, for a beginning. We may have wood for the 
 fireplace by gathering it from the forest floor. Rogers 
 again!" 
 
 "Are you quite sure about Rogers?" 
 
 "Suppose you ride with him going down and ask him
 
 228 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 yourself," suggested Leslie. "Rogers is anxious to hold 
 his place. You see it's like this: all of them get regular 
 wages, have a chance at the swimming, rowing, gardening 
 and the country. The saving comes in on living expenses. 
 Out there we have the cow, flour, fish, and poultry from 
 the neighbours, fresh eggs, butter and the garden I can 
 cut expenses to one-fourth; lights altogether. Moonshine 
 and candles will serve; cooking fuel, gasoline. Daddy 
 will you go to-night and see?" 
 
 "No, I won't go to-night and see, I'll go swim and fish,'' 
 said Mr. Winton. "Great Heavens, Leslie, do you really 
 mean to live all summer beside a lake, where a man can 
 expand, absorb and exercise? I must get out my fishing 
 tackle. I wonder what Douglas has! I've tried that lake 
 when bass were slashing around wild thorn and crab trees 
 shedding petals and bugs. It is man's sport there! I 
 like black bass fishing. I remember that water. Fine 
 for swimming! Not the exhilaration of salt, perhaps, but 
 grand, clean, oM northern Indiana water, cooled by springs. 
 I love it! Lord, Leslie! Why don't we own that place? 
 Why haven't we homed there, and been comfortable for 
 years ? " 
 
 "I shall go ahead then?" queried Leslie. 
 
 "You shall go a-hurry, Miss, hurry!" cried Mr. Win- 
 ton. "I'll give you just two days. One to clean, the 
 other to move; to-morrow night send for me. I want a 
 swim; and cornbread, milk, and three rashers of bacon for 
 my dinner and nothing else; and can't the maids have my 
 room and let me have a blanket on the hay?" 
 
 "But father, the garden!" cautioned Leslie.
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 229. 
 
 "Oh drat the garden!" cried Mr. Winton. 
 
 "But if you go dratting things, I can't economize," the 
 girl reminded him. " Rogers and I have that garden down 
 on paper, and it's late now/' 
 
 "Leslie, don't the golf links lie half a mile from there?" 
 . "Closer Daddy," said the girl, "right around the 
 corner." 
 
 "I don't see why you didn't think of it before," he said., 
 "Have you told Douglas?" 
 
 "Not a word!" exclaimed Leslie. "I'm going to invite 
 him out when everything is in fine order." 
 
 "Don't make things fine," said Mr. Winton. "Let's 
 have them rough!" 
 
 "They will be rough enough to suit you, Daddy," 
 laughed Leslie, "but a few things have got to be done." 
 
 "Then hurry, but don't forget the snake question." 
 
 "People are and have been living there for generations^ 
 common care is all that is required," said Leslie. "I'll be 
 careful, but if you tell Bruce until I am ready, I'll never 
 forgive you." 
 
 Mr. Winton arose. "'Come to me arms,'" he laughed, 
 spreading them wide, "I wonder if Douglas Bruce knows 
 what a treasure he is going to possess!" 
 
 " Certainly not ! " said Leslie emphatically. " I wouldn't 
 have him know for the world! I am going to be his pro- 
 gressive housekeeping party, to which he is invited every 
 day, after we are married, and each day he has got a new 
 surprise coming, that I hope he will like. The woman who 
 endures and wears well in matrimony is the one who 'keeps 
 something to herself.' It's my opinion that IP.Qdern mar-
 
 230 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 riage would be more satisfactory if the engaged parties 
 would not come so nearly being married, for so long before 
 they are. There is so little left for afterward, in most 
 cases, that it soon grows monotonous." 
 
 "Leslie, where did you get all of this?" he asked. 
 
 "I told you. From you, mostly," explained the girl, 
 "and from watching my friends. Go on Daddy! And 
 send Rogers back soon! I want to begin buying radish 
 seed and onion sets." 
 
 So Leslie telephoned Douglas Bruce that she would be 
 very busy with housekeeping affairs the coming two days. 
 She made a list of what would be required for that day, 
 left the maids to collect it, and went to buy seeds and a few 
 tools; then returning she divided her forces and leaving 
 part to pack the bedding, old dishes and things absolutely 
 required for living, and stocking the pantry, she took the 
 loaded car and drove to Atwater Lake. 
 
 The owner of the land, a cultured, refined gentleman, 
 who spoke the same brand of English used by the Wintons, 
 and evinced a knowledge of the same books, was genuinely 
 interested in Leslie and her plans. It was a land owner's 
 busiest season, but he spared a man an hour with a plow 
 to turn up the garden, and came down himself and with 
 practiced hand swung the scythe, and made sure about 
 the snakes. Soon the maids had the cabin walls swept, 
 the floors scrubbed, the windows washed, and that was all 
 that could be done. The seeds were earth enfolded in 
 warm black beds, with flower seeds tucked in for borders. 
 The cut grass was raked back, and spread to dry for the 
 icnted cow.
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 231 
 
 When nothing further was to be accomplished there, 
 they returned to Multiopolis to hasten preparations for 
 the coming day. It was all so good Leslie stopped at her 
 father's office to see if she could speak with him, and 
 poured a flood of cloverbloom, bird notes and water shim- 
 mer into his willing ears. 
 
 She seldom went to Douglas Bruce's offices, but she ran 
 up a few moments to try in person to ease what she felt 
 would be disappointment in not spending the evening with 
 her. The day would be full far into the night with affairs 
 at home, he would notice the closing of the house, and she 
 could not risk him spoiling her plans by finding out what 
 they were, before she was ready. She found him sur- 
 rounded with huge ledgers, delving and already fretting for 
 Mickey. She stood laughing in his doorway, half piqued 
 to find him so absorbed in his work, and so full of the boy 
 he was missing, that he seemed to take her news that she 
 was too busy to see him that night with quite too bearable 
 calmness; but his earnestness about coming the following 
 night worked his pardon, so Leslie left laughing to herself 
 over the surprise in store for him. 
 
 Bruce bent over his work, praying for Mickey. Every- 
 thing went wrong without him. He was enough irritated 
 by the boy who was not Mickey, that when the boy who 
 was Mickey came to his door, he was delighted to see him. 
 He wanted to say: "Hello, little friend. Come get in the 
 game, quickly!" but two considerations withheld him: 
 Mickey's manners were a trifle too casual; at times they 
 irritated Douglas, and if he took the boy into his life as he 
 hoped to, he would come into constant contact with Leslie
 
 '232 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and her friends, who were cultured people of homing in- 
 stincts. Mickey's manners must be polished, and the way 
 to do it was not to drop to his level, but to improve Mickey, 
 And again, the day before, he had told Mickey to sit down 
 and wait until an order was given him. To invite him to 
 "get in the game" now, was good alliteration; it pleased 
 the formal Scotch ear as did many another United States 
 phrase of the street, so musical, concise and packed with 
 meaning as to become almost classic; but in his heart he 
 meant as Mickey had suspected, "to do him good"; so he 
 must lay his foundations with care. What he said was a. 
 cordial and cheerful, "Good morning!" 
 
 "Noon," corrected Mickey. "Right ye are! Good it 
 is! What's my job? 'Scuse me!/ I won't ask that 
 again!" 
 
 "Plenty," Douglas admitted, "but first, any luck with 
 the paper route?" 
 
 "All over but killing the boy I sold it to, if he doesn't 
 do right. I ain't perfectly crazy about him. He's a 
 papa's boy and pretty soft; but maybe he'll learn. It 
 was a fine chance for me, so I soaked it." 
 
 "To whom did you sell, Mickey?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "To your driver, for his boy," answered Mickey. "We 
 talked it over last night. Say, was your driver 'the same 
 continued,' or did you detect glimmerings of beefsteak and 
 blood in him this morning?" 
 
 "Why?" asked Douglas curiously. 
 
 "Oh he's such a stiff," explained Mickey. "He looks 
 about as lively as a salted herring." 
 
 "And did you make an effort to enliven him, Mickey?'*
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 233 
 
 "Sure!" cried Mickey. "The operation was highly 
 successful! The patient made a fine recovery. Right on 
 the job, right on the street, right at the thickest traffic 
 corner, right at 'dead man's crossing,' he let out a whoop 
 that split the features of a copper who hadn't smiled in 
 years. It was a double play and it worked fine. What I 
 want to know is whether it was fleeting or holds over." 
 
 "It must be 'over,' Mickey," said Douglas. "Since 
 you mention it, he opened the door with the information 
 that it was a fine morning, while I recall that there was 
 colour on his face, and light in his usually dull eyes." 
 
 "Good!" cried Mickey. "Then there's some hope that 
 his kid may go and do likewise." 
 
 "Th2 boy who takes your route has to smile, Mickey?" 
 
 "Well you see most of my morning 'customers are regu- 
 lars, so they are used to it," said Mickey. "The minute 
 one goes into his paper, he's lost 'til knocking off time; but 
 if he starts on a real-wide-a-wake-soulful smile, he's a 
 chance of reproducing it, before the day is over, leastwise 
 he has more chance than if he never smiles." 
 
 "So it is a part of the contract that the boy smiles at his 
 work?" questioned Douglas. 
 
 "It is so /" exclaimed Mickey. "I asked Mr. Chaffner 
 at the Herald office what was a fair price for my route. 
 You see I've sold the Herald from the word go, and we're 
 pretty thick. So he told me what he thought. It lifted 
 my lid, but when I communicated it to Henry, casual like, 
 he never batted an eye, so I am going to try his boy 'til I'm 
 satisfied. If he can swing the job it's a go." 
 
 "Your customers should give you a vote of thanks!"
 
 "434 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "And so they will!" cried Mickey. "You see the men 
 who buy of me are the top crust of Multiopolis, the big 
 fine men who can smile, and open their heads and say a 
 pleasant word, and they like to. It does them good! I 
 live on it! I always get my papers close home as I can so 
 I have time coming down on the cars to take a peep my- 
 self, and nearly always there are at least three things on the 
 first page that hit you in the eye. Once long ago I was in 
 the Herald office with a note to Chaffner the big chief, and 
 I gave him a little word jostle as I passed it over. He 
 looked at me and laughed good natured like, so I handed 
 him this: 'Are you the big stiff that bosses the make-up?* 
 He says, 'Mostly! I can control it if I want to.' 'All 
 right for you,' I said. 'I live by selling your papers, but 
 I could sell a heap more if I had a better chance.' 'Chance 
 in what way?' said he. 'Building your first page,' said I. 
 He said, 'Sure. What is it that you want?' 'I'll show 
 you,' said I. Til give you the call I used this morning.' 
 Then I cut loose and just like on the street I cried it, and 
 he yelled some himself. 'What more do you want?' he 
 asked me. 'A lot,' I said. 'You see I only got a little 
 time on the cars before my men begin to get on, and my 
 time is precious. I can't read second, third, and forty- 
 eleventh pages hunting up eye-openers. I must get them 
 first page, 'cause I'm short time, and got my pack to hang 
 on to. Now makin'-up, if you'd a-put that "Germans 
 driven from the last foot of Belgian soil," first, it would 
 a-been better, 'cause that's what every living soul wants. 
 Then the biggest thing about ourselves. Place it prominent 
 in big black letters, where I get it quick and easy, and then
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 235 
 
 put me in a scream. Get me a laugh in my call, and I'll sell 
 you out all by myself. Folks are spending millions per 
 annum for the glad scream at night, they'll pay just the 
 same morning, give them a chance. I live on a laugh/ 
 said I, to Chaffner. He looked me over and he said: 
 'When you get too big for the papers, you come to me 
 and I'll make a top-notch reporter out of you.' 'Thanks 
 Boss/ said I, 'you couldn't graft that job on to me, with 
 asphaltum and a buzz saw. I'm going to be on your front 
 page 'fore you know it, but it's going to be a poetry piece 
 that will raise your hair; I ain't going to frost my cake, 
 poking into folks' private business, telling shameful things 
 on them that half kills them. Lots of times I see them 
 getting their dose on the cars, and they just shiver, and go 
 white, and shake. Nix on the printing about shame, and 
 sin, and trouble in the papers for me! ' I said, and he just 
 laughed and looked at me closer and he said, 'All right! 
 Bring your poetry yourself, and if they don't Jet you 
 in, give them this/ and he wrote a line I got at home 
 yet." 
 
 "Is that all about ChafFner?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Oh no!" said Mickey. "He said, 'Well here is a batch 
 of items being written up for first page to-morrow. Ac- 
 cording to you, I should give "Belgian citizens flocking 
 back to search for devastated homes," the first place?' 
 'That's got the first place in the heart of every man in 
 God's world. Giving it first place is putting it where 
 it belongs.' 'Here's the rest of it/ said he, 'what do 
 you want next?' 'At the same glance I always take, this' 
 said I, pointing to where it said, 'Movement on foot to
 
 236 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 eliminate graft from city offices.' 'You think that comes 
 next?' said he. 'Sure!' said I. 'Hits the pocketbook! 
 Sure! Heart first! Money next!' 'Are you so sure it 
 isn't exactly the reverse?' asked he. 'Know it!' said I. 
 'Watch the crowds any day, and every clip you'll see that 
 loving a man's country, and his home, and his kids, and 
 getting fair play, comes before money.' 'Yes, I guess it 
 does!' he said thoughtful like, 'least it should. We'll 
 make it the policy of this paper to put it that way anyhow. 
 What next?' 'Now your laugh,' said I. 'And while you 
 are at it, make it a scream!' 'All right,' he said, 'I 
 haven't anything funny in yet, but I'll get it. Now show 
 me where you want these spaced.' So I showed him, and 
 every single time you look, you'll see Mr. Herald is made 
 up that way, and you ought to hear me trolling out that 
 Belgian line, soft and easy, snapping in the graft quick- 
 like, and then yelling out the scream. You bet it catches 
 them ! If I can't get that kid on to his job, 'spect I'll have 
 to take it back myself; least if he can't get on, he's doomed 
 to get off. I gave him a three days' try, and if he doesn't 
 catch by that time, he never will. See?" 
 
 "But how are you going to know?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "I'm going down early and follow him and drill him like 
 a Dutch recruit, and he'll wake up my men, and interest 
 them and fetch the laugh or he'll stop!" 
 
 "You think you got a fair price?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Know it! All it's worth, and it looks like a margin to 
 me," said Mickey. 
 
 "That's all right then, and thank you for telling me 
 about the papers," said Douglas. "I enjoyed it im-
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 237 
 
 mensely. I see you are a keen student of human na- 
 ture." 
 
 " 'Bout all the studying I get a chance at," said Mickey. 
 
 "You'll have opportunity at other things now," said 
 Douglas. "Since you mention it, I see your point about 
 the papers, and if that works on business men going to 
 business, it should work on a jury. I think I've had it in 
 mind, that I was to be a compendium of information 
 and impress on a judge or jury what I know, and why what 
 I say is right. You give me the idea that a better way 
 would be to impress on them what they know. Put it 
 like this: first soften their hearts, next touch their pockets, 
 then make them laugh; is that the idea Mickey?" 
 
 "Duck again! You're doing fine! I ain't made my 
 living selling men papers for this long not to know the big 
 boys some, and more. Each man is different, but you 
 can cod him, or bluff him, or scare him, or let down the 
 floodgates; some way you can put it over if you take 
 each one separate, and hit him where he lives. See? 
 Finding his dwelling place is the trouble." 
 
 "Mickey, I do see," cried Douglas. "What you tell me 
 will be invaluable to me. You know I am from another 
 land so I have personal ways of thinking and the men 
 I'm accustomed to are different. What I have been cen- 
 tring on is myself, and what I can do." 
 
 "Won't work here! What you got to get a bead on 
 here is the other fellow, and how to do him. See?" 
 
 "Take these books and fly," said Douglas. "I've spent 
 one of the most profitable hours of my life, but concretely 
 it is an hour, and we're going to the Country Club to-night
 
 238 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and may stay as long as we choose as you can, I mean 
 and we're going to have a grand time. You like going 
 to the country, don't you?" 
 
 "Ain't words for telling," said Mickey, gathering his 
 armload of books and racing down the hall. 
 
 When the day's work was finished, with a load of books 
 to deliver before an office closed, they started on the run 
 to the club house. Bruce waited in the car while Mickey 
 sped in with the books, and returning, to save opening the 
 door and crossing before the man he was fast beginning 
 to idolize, Mickey took one of his swift cuts across the 
 back end of the car. While his hand was outstretched 
 and his foot uplifted to enter, from a high-piled passing 
 truck toppled a box, not a big box, but large enough 
 to knock Mickey senseless and breathless when it struck 
 him between the shoulders. Douglas had Mickey in 
 the car with orders for the nearest hospital, toward which 
 they were hurrying, when the boy opened his eyes and 
 sat up. He looked inquiringly at Douglas, across whose 
 knees he had found himself. 
 
 "Wha what happened?" he questioned with his first 
 good indrawing of recovered breath. 
 
 "A box fell from a truck loaded past reason and almost 
 knocked the life out of you!" cried Douglas. 
 
 "Knocked the life out of me?'" repeated Mickey. 
 
 "You've been senseless for three blocks, Mickey." 
 
 A slow horror spread over Mickey's face. 
 
 "Wha what was you going to do?" he wavered. 
 
 "Running for a hospital," said Douglas. 
 5 'pose my head had been busted, and I'd been
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 239 
 
 stretched on the glass table and maybe laid up for days or 
 knocked out altogether?" demanded Mickey. 
 
 "You'd have had the best surgeon in Multiopolis, and 
 every care, Mickey," assured Douglas. 
 
 "Ugh!" Mickey collapsed utterly. 
 
 "Must be hurt worse than I thought," was Douglas* 
 mental comment. "He couldn't be a coward!" 
 
 But Mickey almost proved that very thing by re- 
 gaining his senses again, and immediately falling into 
 ;pasms of long-drawn, shuddering sobbing. Douglas held 
 him carefully, every moment becoming firmer in his con- 
 viction of one of two things: either he was hurt worse or 
 
 he was He would not let himself think it; but never 
 
 did boy appear to less advantage. Douglas urged the 
 driver to speed. Mickey heard and understood. 
 
 "Never mind," he sobbed. "I'm all right Mr. Bruce; 
 I ain't hurt. Not much! I'll be all right in a minute!" 
 
 "If you're not hurt, what is the matter with you?" 
 
 "A minute!" gasped Mickey, as another spasm of sob- 
 bing caught him. 
 
 " I am amazed ! " cried Douglas. "A little jolt like that ! 
 You are acting like a coward, Mickey!" 
 
 The word straightened Mickey. 
 
 "Coward! Who? Me!" he cried. "Me that's made 
 my way since I can remember? Coward, did you say?" 
 
 "Of course not, Mickey!" cried Douglas. "Excuse me. 
 I shouldn't have said that. But it is unlike you. What 
 the devil is the matter with you?" 
 
 "I helped carry in a busted head and saw the glass table 
 once," he cried. "Inch more and it would a-been my head
 
 24 o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and I might have been knocked out for days. O Lord! 
 \Vhatwill I do?" 
 
 "Mickey you're not afraid?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Traid? Me? 'Bout as good as coward!" com- 
 mented Mickey. 
 
 "What is the matter with you?" demanded Douglas. 
 
 Mickey stared at him amazedly. 
 
 "O Lord!" he panted. "You don't s'pose I was think- 
 ing about myself, do you?" 
 
 "I don't know what to think!" exclaimed Douglas. 
 
 "Sure! How could you?" conceded Mickey. 
 
 He choked back another big dry sob. 
 
 "Gimme a minute to think!" he said. "OGod! What 
 have I been doing? I see now what I'm up against!" 
 
 "Mickey," said Douglas Bruce, suddenly filled with 
 swelling compassion, "I am beginning to understand. 
 Won't you tell me?" 
 
 "I guess I got to," panted Mickey. "But I'm afraid! 
 
 Lord, I'm so afraid!" 
 
 "Afraid of me, Mickey?" asked Douglas gently now. 
 "Yes, afraid of you," said Mickey, "and afraid of her. 
 Afraid of her, more than you." 
 
 "You mean Miss Winton?" pursued Douglas. 
 
 "Yes, I mean Miss Winton," replied Mickey. "I guess 
 
 1 don't risk her, or you either. I guess I go to the Nurse 
 Lady. She's used to folks in trouble. She's trained to 
 know what to do. Why sure! That's the thing!" 
 
 "Your back hurts, Mickey?" questioned Douglas. 
 "My back hurts? Aw forget my back!" cried Mickey 
 roughly. "I ain't hurt, honest I ain't,"
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 241 
 
 Douglas took a long penetrating look at the small shak- 
 ing figure, then he said softly: "I wish you wanted to con- 
 fide in me, Mickey! I can't tell you how glad I'd be if 
 you'd trust me; but if you have some one else you like 
 better, where is it you want to be driven?" 
 
 "Course there ain't any one I like better than you, 
 
 'cept " he caught a name on the tip of his tongue and 
 
 paused. "You see it's like this," he explained : "I've been 
 to this Nurse Lady before, and I know exactly what she'll 
 say and think. If you don't think like I do, and if you 
 go and take " 
 
 "Gracious Heaven Mickey, you don't think I'd try to 
 take anything you wanted, do you?" demanded Douglas. 
 
 "I don't know what you'd do," said Mickey. "I only 
 know what one Swell Dame I struck wanted to do." 
 
 "Mickey," said Douglas, "when I don't know what 
 you are thinking about, I can't be of much help; but I'd 
 give considerable if you felt that you had come to love me 
 enough to trust me." 
 
 "Trust you? Sure I trust you, about myself. But this 
 is " cried Mickey. 
 
 "This is about some one else?" asked Douglas casually. 
 
 Mickey leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his head 
 bent with intense thinking. 
 
 "Much as you are doing for me," he muttered, "if you 
 really care, if it makes a difference to you of course I can 
 trust you, if you don't think as I do!" 
 
 "You surely can!" cried Douglas Bruce. "Now 
 Mickey, both of us are too shaken to care for the country; 
 take me home with you and let's have supper together and
 
 242 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 become acquainted. We can't know each other on my 
 ground alone. I must meet you on yours, and prove that 
 I'm really your friend. Let's go where you live and clean 
 up and have supper." 
 
 "Go where I live? You?" cried Mickey. 
 
 "Yes! You come from where you live fresh and clean 
 each day, so can I. Take me home with you. I want to 
 go dreadfully, Mickey. Please?" 
 
 "Well, I ain't such a cad I'm afraid for you to see how I 
 live," he said. "Though you wouldn't want to come more 
 than once; that ain't what I was thinking about." 
 
 "Think all you like, Mickey," said Douglas. "Henry, 
 drive to the end of the car line where you've gone be- 
 fore." 
 
 On the way he stopped at a grocery, then a cafe, and at 
 each place piles of tempting packages were placed in the 
 car. Mickey's brain was working fast. One big fact 
 was beginning to lift above all the others. His treasure 
 was slipping from him, and for her safety it had to be so. 
 If he had been struck on the head, forced to undergo an 
 
 operation, and had lain insensible for hours Mickey 
 
 could get no further with that thought. He had to stop 
 and proceed with the other part of his problem. Of course 
 she was better off with him than where she had been; no 
 sane person could dispute that; she was happy and looking 
 improved each day but could she be made happier and 
 cared for still better by some one else, and cured without 
 the long wait for him to earn the money? If she could, 
 what would be the right name for him, if he kept her on 
 what he could do? So they came at last as near as the
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 243' 
 
 car could go to Mickey's home in Sunrise Alley. At the 
 foot of the last flight Mickey paused, package laden. 
 
 "Now I'll have to ask you to wait a minute," he said. 
 
 He ascended, unlocked the door and stepped inside. 
 Peaches' eyes gleamed with interest at the packages, but 
 she waved him back. As Mickey closed the door she 
 cried: "My po'try piece! Say it, Mickey!" 
 
 "You'll have to wait again," said Mickey. "I got hit 
 in the back with a box and it knocked the poetry out of 
 me. You'll have to wait 'til after supper to-night, and 
 then I'll fix the grandest one yet. Will that do?" 
 
 "Yes, if the box hit hard, Mickey," conceded Peaches. 
 
 "It hit so blame hard, Miss Chicken, that it knocked 
 me down and knocked me out, and Mr. Bruce picked me 
 up and carried me three blocks in his car before I got my 
 wind or knew what ailed me." 
 
 Peaches' face was tragic; her hands stretched toward 
 him. Mickey was young, and his brain was whirling so 
 it whirled off the thought that came first. 
 
 "And if it had hit me hard enough to bust my head, and 
 I'd been carried to a hospital to be mended and wouldn't 
 a-knowed what hurt me for days, like sometimes, who'd 
 a-fed and bathed you, Miss?" 
 
 Peaches gazed at him wordless. 
 
 "You close your mouth and tell me, Miss," demanded 
 Mickey, brutal with emotion. "If I hadn't come, what 
 would you have done?" 
 
 Peaches shut her mouth and stared while it was closed. 
 At last she ventured a solution. 
 
 " You'd a-told our Nurse Lady," she said.
 
 244 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey made an impatient gesture. 
 
 "Hospitals by the dozen, kid," he said, "and not a 
 chance in a hundred I'd been took to the 'Star of Hope/ 
 and times when your head is busted, you don't know a 
 thing for 'most a week. What would you do if I didn't 
 come for a week?" 
 
 "I'd have to slide off the bed if it killed me, and roll 
 to the cupboard, and make the things do," said Peaches. 
 
 "You couldn't get up to it to save your life," said 
 Mickey, "and there's never enough for a week, and you 
 couldn't get to the water what would you do ? " 
 
 "Mickey, what would I do?" wavered Peaches. 
 
 "Well, I know, if you don't," said Mickey, "and I ain't 
 going to tell you; but I'll tell you this much: you'd be 
 scared and hurt worse than you ever was yet; and it's 
 soon going to be too hot for you here, so I got to move you 
 to a cooler place, and I don't risk being the only one know- 
 ing where you are another day; or my think-tank will split. 
 It's about split now. I don't want to do it, Miss, but I 
 got to, so you take your drink and lemme straighten you, 
 and wash your face, and put your pretties on; then Mr. 
 Douglas Bruce, that we work for now, is coming to see you 
 and he's going to stay for supper Now cut it out! 
 Shut right up! You needn't beller, nor get scared, nor 
 have a tantrum; he's sitting out there on the hot steps 
 where it's a lot worse than here, and this is bad enough, 
 and we ain't got time, and he won't 'get' you; you needn't 
 ask; what would he want of you? Here, lemme fix you, 
 and you see, Miss, that you act a lady girl, and don't make 
 me lose my job with my boss, or we can't pay our rent.
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 245 
 
 Hold still 'til I get your ribbon right, and slip a fresh 
 nightie on you. There!" 
 
 " Mickey " began Peaches. 
 
 "Shut up!" said Mickey in desperation. "Now mind 
 this, Miss! You belong to me ! I'm taking care of you. 
 You answer what he says to you pretty or you'll not get 
 any supper this night, and look at them bundles he got. 
 Sit up and be nice! This is a party!" 
 
 Mickey darted around arranging the room, then he 
 flung the door wide and called : " Ready ! " 
 
 Douglas Bruce climbed the stairs and entered the door. 
 As Mickey expected, his gaze centred and stopped. Mickey 
 began taking packages from his hands; still gazing Douglas 
 yielded them. Then he stepped forward when Mickey 
 placed the chair, and said: "Mr. Douglas Bruce, this is 
 Lily. This is Lily Peaches O'Halloran. Will you have a 
 chair?" He turned to Peaches, put his arm around her, 
 drawing her to him as he bent to kiss her. 
 
 "He's all right, Flowersy-girl," he said. "We like to 
 have him come. He's our friend. Our big, nice friend 
 who won't let a soul on earth get us. - He doesn't even 
 want us himself, 'cause he's got one girl. His girl is the 
 Moonshine Lady that sent you the doll. Maybe she 
 will come some day too, and maybe she'll make the Pre- 
 cious Child a new dress. Where is she?" 
 
 Peaches clung to Mickey and past him peered at her 
 visitor, and the visitor smiled his most winning smile. 
 He recognized Leslie's ribbon, and noted the wondrous 
 beauty of the small white face, now slowly flushing the 
 faintest pink with excitemenv Still clinging she smiled
 
 246 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 back. Wordless, Douglas reached over to pick up the 
 doll. Then the right thought came at last. 
 
 "Has the Precious Child been good to-day?" he asked. 
 
 Peaches released Mickey, dropping back against her 
 pillows, her smile now dazzling. 
 
 "Jus' as good !" she said. 
 
 "Fine!" said Douglas, straightening the long dress. 
 
 "An* that's my slate and lesson," said Peaches. 
 
 "Fine!" he said again as if it were the only adjective 
 he knew. Mickey glanced at him, grinning sympathet- 
 ically, "She does sort of knock you out!" he said. 
 
 "'Sort' is rather poor. Completely, would be better," 
 said Douglas. "She's the loveliest little sister in all the 
 world, Mickey, but she doesn't resemble you. Is she like 
 your mother?" 
 
 "Lily isn't my sister, only as you wanted me for a 
 brother," said Mickey. "She was left and nobody was 
 taking care of her. She's my find and you bet your life 
 I'm going to always keep her!" 
 
 "Oh! And how long have you had her, Mickey?" 
 'Now that's just what the Orphings' Home dame asked 
 me," said Mickey with finality, "and we are nix on those 
 dames and their askings. Lily is mine, I tell you. My 
 family. Now you visit with her, while I get supper." 
 
 Mickey pushed up the table, then began opening pack- 
 ages and setting forth their contents. Watching him as he 
 moved swiftly and with assurance, his head high, his 
 lips even, a slow deep respect for the big soul in the little 
 body began to dawn in the heart of Douglas Bruce. Un- 
 derstanding of Mickey came in rivers swift and strong, so
 
 THE WHEEL OF LIFE 247 
 
 while he wondered and while he watched entranced, over 
 and over in his head went the line: "Fools rush in where 
 angels fear to tread." With every gentle act of Mickey 
 for the child Douglas' liking for him grew. When he went 
 over the supper and with the judgment of a nurse selected 
 the most delicate and suitable food for her, or each uplift 
 of her adoring eyes to Mickey's responsive face, in the heart 
 of the Scotsman swelled the marvel and the miracle that 
 silenced criticism.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 
 
 WHEN Leslie began the actual work of closing 
 her home, and loading what would be wanted 
 for the country, she found the task too big for 
 the time allotted, so wisely telephoned Douglas that she 
 would be compelled to postpone seeing him until the fol- 
 lowing day. 
 
 "Leslie," laughed Douglas over the telephone, "did 
 you ever hear of the man who cut off his dog's tail an inch 
 at a time, so it wouldn't hurt so badly?" 
 
 "I have heard of that particular dog." 
 
 "Well this process of cutting me out of seeing you a day 
 at a time reminds me of 'that particular dog/ and evokes 
 my sympathy for the canine as never before." 
 
 "It's a surprise I am getting ready for you Douglas!" 
 
 "It is a surprise all right," answered Douglas, "and 
 * Bearer of Morning,' I have got a surprise for you 
 too." 
 
 "Oh goody!" cried Leslie. "I adore surprises." 
 
 "You'll adore this one!" 
 
 "You might give me a hint!" she suggested. 
 
 "Very well!" he laughed. "Since last I saw you I have 
 .seen the loveliest girl of my experience." 
 
 " Delightful ! Am I to see her also ? "
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 249 
 
 "Undoubtedly!" explained Douglas. "And you'll suc- 
 cumb to her charms just as I did." 
 
 "When may I meet her?" asked Leslie eagerly. 
 
 "I can't say; but soon now." 
 
 "All right!" agreed the girl. "Be ready at four to- 
 morrow." 
 
 Leslie sat in frowning thought a moment, before the 
 telephone; then her ever-ready laugh bubbled. "Why 
 didn't I think of it while I was talking?" she wondered. 
 "Of course Mickey has taken him to visit his Lily. I must 
 see about that wrong back before bone and muscle harden." 
 
 Then she began her task. By evening she had a gaso- 
 line stove set up, the kitchen provisioned, her father's 
 room ready and arrangements sufficiently completed that 
 she sent the car to bring him to his dinner of cornbread and 
 bacon under an apple tree scattering pink petals beside the 
 kitchen door, with every lake breeze. Then they went 
 fishing and landed three black bass. 
 
 Douglas Bruce did not mind one day so much, but he 
 resented two. When he greeted Mickey that morning 
 it was not with the usual salutation of his friends, so the 
 boy knew there was something not exactly right. He 
 was not feeling precisely jovial himself. He was under 
 suspended judgment. He knew that when Mr. Bruce 
 had time to think, and talk over the situation with Miss 
 Winton, both of them might very probably agree with the 
 woman who said the law would take Lily from him and 
 send her to a charity home for children. 
 
 Mickey, with his careful drilling on the subject, was in 
 rebellion. How could the law take Lily from him? Did
 
 250 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the law know anything about her? Was she in the care 
 of the law when he found her? Wouldn't the law have 
 allowed her to die grovelling in filth and rags, inside a few 
 more hours? He had not infringed on the law in any 
 way; he had merely saved a life the law had forgotten to 
 save. Now when he had it in his possession and in far 
 better condition than he found it, how had the law -power 
 to step in and rob him? 
 
 Mickey did not understand, while there was nothing in 
 his heart that could teach him. He had found her: he 
 would keep her. The Orphans' Home should not have her. 
 The law should not have her. Only one possibility had 
 any weight with Mickey: if some one like Mr. Bruce or 
 Miss Winton wanted to give her a home of luxury, could 
 provide care at once, for which he would be forced to wait 
 years to earn the money; if they wanted her and the Carrel 
 man of many miracles would come for them; did he dare 
 leave her lying an hour, when there was even hope she 
 might be on her feet? There was only one answer to that 
 with Mickey, but it pained his heart. So his greeting 
 lacked its customary spontaneity. 
 
 By noon Bruce was irritable, while Mickey was as 
 nearly sullen as it was in his nature to be. At two o'clock 
 Bruce surrendered, summoned the car, and started to the 
 golf grounds. He had played three holes when he over- 
 took a man who said a word that arrested his attention, so 
 both of them stopped, and with notebooks and pencils, 
 under the shade of a big tree began discussing the question 
 that meant more to Douglas than anything save Leslie. 
 He dismissed Mickey for the afternoon, promising him
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 251 
 
 that if he would be ready by six, he should be driven back 
 to the city. 
 
 Mickey wanted to be alone to concentrate on nis prob- 
 lem, but people were everywhere and more coming by the 
 carload. He could see no place that was then, or would 
 be, undisturbed. The long road with grassy sides gave 
 big promises of leading somewhere to the quiet retreat he 
 sought. Telling the driver that if he were not back by 
 six, he would be waiting down the road, Mickey started on 
 foot, in thought so deep he scarcely appreciated the 
 grasses he trod, the perfume in his nostrils, the concert in 
 his ears. What did at last arouse him was the fact that he 
 was very thirsty. That made him realize that this was the 
 warmest day of the season. Instantly his mind flew to the 
 mite of a girl, lying so patiently, watching the clock for his 
 coming, living for the sound of his feet. 
 
 Mickey stopped, studying the landscape. A cool gentle 
 breeze crossed the clover field beside the way, refreshing 
 him in its passing He sucked his lungs full, then lifted 
 his cap, shaking the hair from his forehead. He stuffed the 
 cap into his pocket, walking slowly along, intending to stop 
 at the nearest farmhouse to ask for water. But the first 
 home was not to Mickey's liking. He went on, passing an- 
 other and another. Then he came to land that attracted 
 him. The fences were so straight. The corners so clean 
 where they were empty, so delightful where they were 
 filled with alder, wild plum, hawthorn; attractive locations 
 for birds of the bushes that were field and orchard feeders. 
 Then the barn and outbuildings looked so neat and pros- 
 perous; grazing cattle in rank meadows were so sleek; then
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 a big white house began to peep from the screen of vines, 
 bushes and trees. 
 
 "Well if the water here gives you fever, it will any- 
 where," said Mickey, and turning in at the open gate 
 started up a walk having flower beds on each side. 
 There was a wide grassy lawn where the big trees scattered 
 around afforded almost complete shade. Mickey never 
 had seen a home like it closely. He scarcely could realize 
 that there were places in the world where families lived 
 alone like this. He tried to think how he would feel if he 
 belonged there. When he reached the place where he saw 
 Lily on a comfort under a big bloom-laden pear tree, his 
 throat grew hard, his eyes dry and his feet heavy. Then 
 the screen to the front door swung back as a smiling woman 
 in a tidy gingham dress came through and stood awaiting 
 Mickey. 
 
 "I just told Peter when he came back alone, I bet a 
 penny you'd got off at the wrong stop!" she cried. "I'm 
 so glad you found your way by yourself. But you must 
 be tired and hot walking. Come right in and have a glass 
 of milk, then strip your feet and I'll ring for Junior." 
 
 For one second Mickey was dazed. The next, he knew 
 what it must mean. These people were the kind whom 
 God had made so big and generous they divided home and 
 summer with tenement children from the big city thirty 
 miles away. Some boy was coming for a week, maybe, 
 into what exactly filled Mickey's idea of Heaven, but he 
 was not the boy. 
 
 "Most breaks my heart to tell you," he said, "but I 
 ain't the boy you're expecting. I'm just taking a walk
 
 253 
 
 and I thought maybe you'd let me have a drink. I've 
 wanted one past the last three houses, but none looked as 
 if they'd have half such good, cool water as this." 
 
 "Now don't that beat the nation!" exclaimed the 
 woman. "The Multiopolis papers are just oozing sym- 
 pathy for the poor city children who are wild for woods and 
 water; and when I'd got myself nerved up to try one and 
 thought it over till I was really anxious about it, and got my 
 children all worked up too, here for the second time Peter 
 knocks off plowing and goes to the trolley to meet one, and 
 he doesn't come. I've got a notion to write the editor of 
 the Herald and tell him my experience. I think it's funny! 
 But you wanted water, come this way." 
 
 Mickey followed a footpath white with pear petals 
 around the big house and standing beside a pump waited 
 while the woman stepped to the back porch for a cup. He 
 took it, drinking slowly. 
 
 "Thank you ma'am," he said as he handed it back, turn- 
 ing to the path. 
 
 Yesterday had weakened his nerve. He was going to 
 cry again. He took a quick step forward, but the woman 
 was beside him, her hand on his shoulder. 
 
 "Wait a minute," she said. "Sit on this bench under 
 the pear tree. I want to ask you something. Excuse me 
 and rest until I come back." 
 
 Mickey leaned against the tree, shutting his eyes, fight- 
 ing with all his might. He was too big to cry. The wo- 
 man would think him a coward as Mr. Bruce had. Then 
 things happened as they actually do at times. The 
 woman hurriedly came from the door, sat on the bench
 
 254 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 beside him, and said: "I went in there to watch you 
 through the window, but I can't stand this a second longer. 
 You poor child you, now tell me right straight what's the 
 matter!" 
 
 Mickey tried but no sound came. The woman patted 
 his shoulder. "Now doesn't it beat the band?" she said, 
 to the backyard in general. "Just a little fellow not in 
 long trousers yet, and bearing such a burden he can't talk. 
 I guess maybe God has a hand in this. I'm not so sure my 
 boy hasn't come after all. Who are you, and where are 
 you going ? Don't you want to send your ma word you will 
 stay here a week with me?" 
 
 Mickey lifted a bewildered face. 
 
 "Why, I couldn't, lady," he said brokenly, but gaining 
 control as he went on. "I must work. Mr. Bruce needs 
 me. I'm a regular plute compared with most of the 
 'newsies'; you wouldn't want to do anything for me who 
 has so much; but if you're honestly thinking about taking a 
 boy and he hasn't come, how would you like to have a little 
 girl in his place? A little girl about so long, and so wide, 
 with a face like Easter church flowers, and rings of gold on 
 her head, and who wouldn't be half the trouble a boy would, 
 because she hasn't ever walked, so she couldn't get into 
 things." 
 
 "Oh my goodness! A crippled little girl?" 
 
 "She isn't crippled," said Mickey. "She's as straight 
 as you are, what there is of her. She had so little food, 
 and care, her back didn't seem to stiffen, so her legs won't 
 walk. She wouldn't be half so much trouble as a boy. 
 Honest, dearest lady, she wouldn't!"
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 255 
 
 "Who are you?" asked the woman. 
 
 Mickey produced a satisfactory pedigree, and gave 
 unquestionable references which she recognized, for she 
 slowly nodded at the names of Chaffner and Bruce. 
 
 "And who is the little girl you are asking me to take?" 
 
 Mickey studied the woman and then began to talk, 
 cautiously at first. Ashamed to admit the squalor and the 
 awful truth of how he had found the thing he loved, then 
 gathering courage he began what ended in an outpouring. 
 The woman watched him, listening, and when Mickey had 
 no further word: "She is only a tiny girl?" she asked 
 wonderingly. 
 
 "The littlest girl you ever saw," said Mickey. 
 
 "Perfectly helpless?" marvelled the woman. 
 
 "Oh no! She can sit up and use her hands," said 
 Mickey. "She can feed herself, write on her slate, and 
 learn her lessons. It's only that she stays put. She has 
 to be lifted if she's moved." 
 
 "You lift her?" queried the woman. 
 
 "Could with one hand," said Mickey tersely. 
 
 "You say this young lawyer you work for, whose name 
 I see in the Herald connected with the investigation going 
 on, is at the club house now?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes," answered Mickey. 
 
 "He's coming past here this evening?" she pursued. 
 
 Mickey explained. 
 
 "About how much waiting on would your little girl 
 take?" she asked next. 
 
 "Well just at present, she does the waiting on me," said 
 Mickey. "You see, dearest lady, I have to get her washed
 
 256 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and fix her bieakfast and her lunch beside the bed, and 
 be downtown by seven o'clock, and I don't get back 
 'til six. Then I wash her again to freshen her up and cook 
 her supper. Then she says her lesson, her prayers and goes 
 to sleep. So you see it's mostly her waiting on me. A boy 
 couldn't be less trouble than that, could he?" 
 
 "It doesn't seem like it," said the woman, "and no mat- 
 ter how much bother she was, I guess I could stand it for a 
 week, if she's such a little girl, and can't walk. The diffi- 
 culty is this: I promised my son Junior a boy and his heart 
 is so set. He's wild about the city. He's going to be gone 
 before we know it. He doesn't seem to care for anything 
 we have, or do. I don't know just what he hoped to get out 
 of a city boy; but I promised him one. Then I felt scared 
 and wrote Mr. Chaffner how it was and asked him to send 
 me a real nice boy who could be trusted. If it were 
 not for Junior Mary and the Little Man would be 
 delighted." 
 
 "Well never mind," said Mickey. "I'll go see the Nurse 
 I>ady and maybe she can think of a plan. Anyway I don't 
 know as it would be best for Lily. If she came here a 
 week, seems like it would kill me to take her back, and I 
 don't know how she'd bear staying alone all day, after she 
 had got used to company. And pretty soon now it's going 
 to get so hot, top floors in the city, that if she had a week 
 like this, going back would make her sick." 
 
 "You must g : ve me time to think," said the woman. 
 " Peter will soon be home to supper. I'll talk it over with 
 him and with Junior and see what they think. Where 
 could you be found in Multiopolis ? We drive in every few
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 257 
 
 days. We like to go ourselves, and there's no other way ts> 
 satisfy the children. They get so tired and lonesome ia 
 the country." 
 
 Mickey was aghast. "They do ? Why it doesn't seem. 
 possible ! I wish I could trade jobs with Junior for a while. 
 What is his work?" 
 
 "He drives the creamery wagon," answered the womaru 
 
 "O Lord!" Mickey burst forth. "Excuse me ma'am, I 
 
 mean Oh my! Drives a real live horse along these 
 
 streets and gathers up the cream cans we pass at the gates* 
 and takes them to the trolley?" 
 
 " Yes," she said. 
 
 "And he'd give up that job for blacking somebody's 
 shoes, or carrying papers, or running errands, or being shut 
 up all summer in a big hot building! Oh my!" 
 
 "When will you be our way again?" asked the woman. 
 "I'll talk this over with Peter. If we decided to try the 
 little girl and she did the 'waiting' as you say, she couldn't 
 be much trouble. I should think we could manage her, 
 and a boy too. I wish you could be the boy. I'd Eke 
 to have you. I've been thinking if we could get a boy to- 
 show Junior what it is he wants to know about a city, heM 
 be better satisfied at home, but I don't know. It's just 
 possible it might make him worse. Now such an under- 
 standing boy as you seem to be, maybe you could teach 
 Junior things about the city that would make him con- 
 tented at home. Do you think you could ? " 
 
 "Dearest lady, I get you," said Mickey. "Do / 
 think I could ? Well if you really wished me to, I could 
 take your Junior to Multiopolis with me for a week and
 
 258 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 make him so sick he'd never want to see a city again 
 while his palpitator was running." 
 
 "Hu'umh!" said the lady slowly, her eyes on far dis- 
 tance. "Let me think! I don't know but that would be 
 a fine thing for all of us. We have land enough for a nice 
 farm for both boys, and the way things look now, land 
 seems about as sure as anything; we could give them a 
 farm apiece when we are done with it, and the girl the 
 money to take to her home when she marries I would 
 love to know that Junior was going to live on land as his 
 father does; but all his life he's talked about working in 
 the city when he grows up. Hu'umh ! " 
 
 "Well if you want him cured of that, gimme the 
 job," he grinned. "You see lady, I know the city, inside 
 out and outside in again. I been playing the game with 
 it since I can remember. You can't tell me anything I 
 don't know about the lowest, poorest side of it. Oh I 
 could tell you things that would make your head swim. 
 If you want your boy dosed just sick as a horse on what 
 a workingman gets in Multiopolis 'tween Sunrise Alley 
 and Biddle Boulevard, just you turn him over tome a week. 
 I'll fix him. I'll make the creamery job look like 'Lijah 
 charioteering for the angels to him, honest I will lady; and 
 he won't ever know it, either. He'll come through with a 
 lump in his neck, and a twist in his stummick that means 
 home and mother. See?" 
 
 The woman looked at Mickey in wide-eyed and open- 
 mouthed amazement: "Well if I ever!" she gasped. 
 
 "If you don't believe me, try it," said Mickey. 
 
 "Well! Well! I'll have to think," she said. "I don't
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 259 
 
 know but it would be a good thing if it could be 
 done." 
 
 "Well don't you have any misgivings about it being 
 done," said Mickey. "It's being done every day. I 
 know men, hundreds of them, just scraping, and slaving 
 and half starving to get together the dough to pull out~ 
 I hear it on the cars, on the streets, and see it in the papers. 
 They're jumping their jobs and going every day, while 
 hundreds of Schmeltzenschimmers, O'Laughertys, Han- 
 sons, and Pietros are coming in to take their places. 
 Multiopolis is more than half filled with crowd-outs from 
 across the ocean now, instead of home folks' cradles, as it 
 should be. If Junior has got a hankering for Multiopolis 
 that is going to cut him out of owning a place like this, and 
 bossing his own job, dearest lady, cook him! Cook him 
 quick!" 
 
 "Would you come here?" she questioned. 
 
 "Would I ?" cried Mickey. "Well try me and see!" 
 
 "I'm deeply interested in what you say about Junior," 
 she said. "I'll talk it over to-night with Peter/* 
 
 "Well I don't know," said Mickey. "He might put 
 the grand kibosh on it. Hard! But if Junior came back 
 asking polite for his mush and milk, and offering his 
 Christmas pennies for the privilege of plowing, or driv- 
 ing the cream wagon, believe me dear lady, then Peter 
 would fall on your neck and weep for joy." 
 
 "Yes, in that event, he would," said the lady, "and the 
 temptation is so great, that I believe if you'll give me your 
 address, I'll look you up the next time I come to Multi 
 opolis, which will be soon. I'd like to see your Lily be-
 
 *66 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 fore I make any promises. If I thought I could manage, 
 I could bring her right out in the car. Tell me where to 
 find you, and I'll see what Peter thinks." 
 
 Mickey grinned widely. "You ain't no suffragette 
 lady, are you?" he commented. 
 
 "Well I don't know about that," said the lady. "There 
 arc a good many things to think of these days." 
 
 "Yes I know," said Mickey, "but as long as everything 
 you say swings the circle and rounds up with Peter, it's 
 no job to guess what's most important in your think- 
 tank. Peter must be some pumpkins!" 
 
 "Come to think of it, he is, Mickey," she said. "Come 
 to think of it, I do sort of revolve around Peter. We al- 
 ways plan together. Not that we always think alike: 
 there are some things I just cant make Peter see, that I 
 wish I could; but I wouldn't trade Peter 
 
 "No I guess he's top crust," laughed Mickey. 
 
 "He is so!" said the woman. "How did you say I 
 could reach you ? " 
 
 "Well, the easiest way would be this. Here, I'll write 
 the number for you." 
 
 "Fine!" said the woman. "I'll hurry through my 
 shopping and call you when would it suit you best?" 
 
 "Never mind me," said Mickey. "For this, I'll come 
 when you say." 
 
 "What about three in the afternoon, then?" 
 
 "Sure!" cried Mickey. "Suits me splendid! Mostly 
 quit for the day then. But ma'am, I don't know about 
 this. Lily isn't used to anybody but me, she may be 
 afraid to come with you."
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 2 6r 
 
 "And I may think I would scarcely want to try to take 
 care of her for a week, when I see her," said the woman. 
 
 "You may think that now, but you'll change your mind 
 when you see her," said Mickey. "Dearest lady, when 
 you see a little white girl that hasn't ever walked, smiling 
 up at you shy and timid, you won't be any more anxious 
 for Orphings' Homes and Charity Palaces to swallow her 
 up than I am; not a bit! All I must think of is what Lily 
 will say about coming. She's never been out of my room 
 since I found her, and she hasn't seen any one but Mr. 
 Bruce, so she'll be afraid, and worried. Seeing her is all I 
 ask of you! What I'm up against is what she's going to 
 say; and how I'm going to take her back after a week here, 
 when it will be hotter there and lonesomer than ever." 
 
 "You surely give one things to think about," com- 
 mented the woman. 
 
 "Do I?" queried Mickey. "Well I don't know as I 
 should. Probably with Peter, and three children of your 
 own, and this farm to run, you are busy enough without 
 spending any of your time on me." 
 
 "The command in the good book is plain: 'Bear ye one 
 another's burdens,'" quoted the woman. 
 
 "Oh yes! 'Burdens,' of course!" agreed Mickey. 
 "But that couldn't mean Lily, 'cause she's nothing but 
 joy! Just pure joy! All about her is that a fellow loves 
 her so, that it keeps him laying awake at nights thinking 
 how to do what would be best for her. She's mine, and I'm 
 going to keep her; that's the surest thing you know. If I 
 take you to see Lily, and if I decide to let you have her a 
 few days to rest her and fresh her up, you wouldn't go and
 
 262 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 want to put her 'mong the Orphings' Home kids, would 
 you? You wouldn't think she ought to be took from me 
 and raised in a flock of every kind, from every place. 
 Would you lady?" 
 
 "No, I wouldn't," said the lady. "I see how you feel, 
 and I am sure I wouldn't want that for one of mine." 
 
 "Well, there's no question about her being mine!" 
 said Mickey. "But I like you so, maybe I'll let you help 
 me a little. A big boy that can run and play doesn't need 
 you, dearest lady, half so much as my little girl. Do you 
 think he does?" 
 
 "No, I think the Lord sent you straight here. If you 
 don't stop I'll be so worked up I can't rest. I may come 
 to-morrow." 
 
 Mickey arose, holding out his hand. 
 
 "Thank you dearest lady," he said. "I must be get- 
 ting out where the car won't pass without my seeing 
 it." 
 
 "You wait at the gate a minute," she said, "I want to 
 send in a little basket of things to-night. I'll have it 
 ready in a jiffy." 
 
 Mickey slowly walked to the gate. When the woman 
 came with a basket covered with a white cloth, he thanked 
 her again; as he took it he rested his head against her arm, 
 smiling up at her with his wide true eyes. 
 
 "A thing I can't understand is," he said, "why when the 
 Lord was making mothers, he didn't cut all of them from 
 the same piece he did you. I'll just walk on down the 
 road and smell June beside this clover field. Is it yours? " 
 
 "Yes," she said.
 
 "Mickey had the best of three or four boys concealed 
 in his lean person."
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 263 
 
 "Would you care if I'd take just a few to Lily? 1 know 
 she never saw any." 
 
 "Take a bunch as big as your head if you want them." 
 
 "Lily is so little, three will do her just as well; besides, 
 she's got to remember how we are fixed, so she needn't 
 begin to expect things to come her way by baskets and 
 bunches," said Mickey. "She's bound to be spoiled bad 
 enough as it is. I can't see how I'm going to come out 
 with her, but she's mine, and I'm going to keep her." 
 
 "Mickey," laughed the woman, "don't you think you 
 swing around to Lily just about the way I do to Peter?" 
 
 "Well maybe I do," conceded Mickey. 
 
 "What kind of a car did you say Mr. Bruce has?" 
 
 "Oh the car is dark green, and the driver has sandy hair; 
 and Mr. Bruce why you'd know him anywhere! Just 
 look for the finest man you ever saw, if you are out when 
 he goes by, and that will be Mr. Douglas Bruce." 
 
 "I guess I'll know him if I happen to be out." 
 
 "Sure lady, you couldn't miss him," replied Mickey. 
 
 Carefully holding his basket he went down the road. 
 The woman made supper an hour late standing beside the 
 gate watching for a green car. Many whirled past, then 
 at last one with the right look came gliding along; so she 
 stepped out and raised her hand for a parley. The car 
 stopped. 
 
 "Mr. Douglas Bruce?" she asked. 
 
 "At your service, Madam!" he answered. 
 
 "Just a word with you," she said. 
 
 He arose instantly, swung open the car door, and step- 
 ping down walked with her to the shade of a big widely
 
 264 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 branching maple. The woman looked at him, and said 
 flushing and half confused: "Please to excuse me for halt- 
 ing you, but I had a reason. This afternoon such an 
 attractive little fellow stopped here to ask for a drink in 
 passing. Now Peter and I had decided we'd try our hand 
 at taking a city boy for a week or so for his vacation, and 
 twice Peter has left his work and gone to the trolley station 
 to fetch him, and he failed us. I supposed Peter had 
 missed him, so when I saw the boy coming, just the first 
 glimpse my heart went right out to him " 
 
 "Very likely " assented Mr. Bruce. 
 
 "He surely is the most winning little chap I ever saw 
 with his keen blue eyes and that sort of light on his fore- 
 head," said the woman. 
 
 "I've noticed that," put in the man. 
 
 "Yes," she said, "anybody would see that almost the 
 first thing. So I thought he was the boy I was to mother 
 coming, and I went right at the job. He told me quick 
 enough that I was mistaken, but I could see he was in 
 trouble. Someway I'd trust him with my character or my 
 money, but I got to be perfectly sure before I trust him 
 with my children. ;: You see I have three, and if ever any 
 of them go wrong, I don't want it to be because I was care- 
 less. I thought I'd like to* have him around some; my 
 oldest boy is bigger, but just about his age. He said he 
 might be out this way with you this summer and I wanted 
 to ask him in, and do what I could to entertain him; but 
 first I just wanted to inquire of you " 
 
 " I see ! " said Douglas Bruce. " I haven't known Mickey 
 so long, but owing to the circumstances in which I met
 
 him, and the association with him since, I feel that I know 
 him better than I could most boys in a longer time. The 
 strongest thing I can say to you is this: had I a boy of my 
 own, I should be proud if Mickey liked him and would con- 
 sider being friends with him. He is absolutely trust- 
 worthy, that I know." 
 
 "Then I won't detain you further," she said. 
 
 Mickey, cheered in mind and heart, had walked ahead 
 briskly with his basket, while as he went he formulated his 
 plans. He would go straight to the Sunshine Nurse, tell 
 her about the heat and this possible chance to take Lily to 
 the country for a week, and consult with her as to what the 
 effect of the trip might be, and what he could do with her 
 afterward, then he would understand better. He kept 
 watching the clover field beside the way. When he de- 
 cided he had reached the finest, best perfumed place, he 
 saw a man plowing on the other side of the fence and 
 thought it might be Peter and that Peter would wonder 
 what he was doing in his field, so Mickey set the basket in 
 a corner and advanced. 
 
 He was wonderfully elated by what had happened to 
 him and the conclusions at which he had arrived, as he 
 came across the deep grasses beside the fence where the 
 pink of wild rose and the snow of alder commingled, where 
 song sparrows trilled, and larks and quail were calling. He 
 approached smiling in utter confidence. As he looked at 
 the man, at his height, his strong open face, his grip on the 
 plow, he realized why the world of the little woman re- 
 volved around Peter. Mickey could have conceived of 
 few happier fates than being attached to Peter, so ha
 
 266 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 thought in amazement of the boy who wanted to leave him. 
 Then a slow grin spread over his face, for by this time 
 Peter had stopped his horses and was awaiting him with an 
 answering smile and hand outstretched. 
 
 "Why son, I'm glad to see you!" he cried. "How did 
 I come to miss you? Did you get off at the wrong 
 stop?" 
 
 Mickey shook his head as he took the proffered hand. 
 
 "You are Peter?" he asked. 
 
 "Yes, I'm Peter," confirmed the man. 
 
 "Well you're making the same mistake your pleasant 
 lady did," explained Mickey. "She thought I was the 
 boy who had been sent to visit you, so she gave me the 
 glad hand too. I wish I was in his shoes! But I'm not 
 your boy. Gee, your lady is a nice gentle lady." 
 
 "You're all correct there," agreed Peter. "And so you 
 are not the boy who was to be sent us. Pshaw now! I 
 wish you were. I'm disappointed. I've been watching 
 you coming down the road, and the way you held together 
 and stepped up so brisk and neat took my eye." 
 
 "I been 'stepping up brisk and neat' to sell papers, run 
 errands, hop cars, dodge cars and automobiles, and climb- 
 ing fire-escapes instead of stairs, and keeping from under 
 foot since I can remember," laughed Mickey. " You learn 
 on the streets of Multiopolis to step up, and watch sharp 
 without knowing you are doing it." 
 
 "You're a newsboy?" asked Peter. 
 
 "I was all my life 'til a few days ago," said Mickey. 
 "Then I went into the office of Mr. Douglas Bruce. He's 
 a corporation lawyer in the Iriquois Building."
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 267 
 
 "Hum, IVe been reading about him," said Peter. "If 
 I ever have a case, I'm going to take it to him." 
 
 "Well you'll have a man that will hang on and dig in and 
 sweat for you," said Mickey. "Just now he's after some 
 of them big office-holders who are bleeding the taxpayers 
 of Multiopolis. Some of these days if you watch your 
 Herald sharp, you're going to see the lid fly off of two or 
 three things at once. He's on a hot trail now." 
 
 "Why I have seen that in the papers," said Peter. "He 
 was given the job of finding who is robbing the city, by 
 James Minturn; I remember his name. And you work for 
 him? Well, well! Sit down here and tell me about it." 
 
 "I can't now," said Mickey. "I must get back to the 
 road. His car may pass any minute, and Fm to be ready. 
 Your pleasant lady said I might take a few clover flowers 
 to my little sick girl, and just as I came to the finest ones in 
 the field, I saw you so I thought maybe Fd better tell you 
 what I was doing before you fired me." 
 
 "Take all you want," said Peter. "Fd like to send the 
 whole field, larks and all, to a little sick girl. I'd like 
 especial to send her some of these clowny bobolink fellows 
 to puff up and spill music by the quart for her; I guess 
 nothing else runs so smooth except water." 
 
 "I don't know what she'd say," said Mickey gazing 
 around him. "You see she hasn't ever walked, so all she's 
 seen in her life has been the worst kind of bare, dark tene- 
 ment walls, 'til lately she's got a high window where she 
 can see sky, and a few sparrows that come for crumbs. 
 This!" Mickey swept his arm toward the landscape "J 
 don't know what she'd say to this!"
 
 268 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Pshaw, now!" cried Peter. "Why bring her out! 
 You bring her right out! That's what we been wanting 
 to know. Just what a city child would think of country 
 things she'd never seen before. Bring her to see us!" 
 
 "She's a little bit of a thing and she can't walk, you 
 know," explained Mickey. 
 
 "Poor little mite! That's too bad," lamented Peter. 
 "Wonder if she couldn't be doctored up. It's a shame she 
 can't walk, but taking care of her must be easy!" 
 
 "Oh she takes care of herself," said Mickey. "You see 
 she is alone all day from six 'til six; she must take care of 
 herself, so she studies her lesson, and plays with her doll 
 I mean her Precious Child." 
 
 "Too bad!" said Peter. "By jacks that's a sin! Did 
 you happen to speak to Ma about her?" 
 
 "We did talk a little," admitted Mickey. "She was 
 telling me of the visitor boy who didn't come, and your son 
 who doesn't think he'll want to stay; so we got to talking. 
 She said just what you did about wanting to see how a city 
 child who hadn't ever seen a chicken, or a cow, or horse 
 would act " 
 
 "Good Lord!" cried Peter. "Is there a child in Mul- 
 tiopolis who hasn't ever seen a little chicken, or a calf?" 
 
 "Hundreds of them!" said Mickey. "I've scarcely 
 seen a cow myself. I've seen hens and little chickens in 
 shop windows at Easter time " 
 
 "But not in the orchard in June?" queried Peter. 
 
 'No, 'not in the orchard in June!'" said Mickey. 
 
 "Well, well!" marvelled Peter. "There's nothing so 
 true as that 'one half doesn't know how the other half
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 269 
 
 lives/ I've heard that, but I didn't quite sense it, and I 
 don't know as I do yet. You bring her right out!" 
 
 "Yor.r pleasant lady talked about that; but you see 
 bringing her out and showing her these things, and getting 
 her used to them is one thing; then taking her back to a 
 room so hot I always sleep on the fire-escape, and where she 
 has to stay all day alone, is another. I don't know but so 
 long as she must go back to what she has now, it would be 
 better to leave her there." 
 
 "Humph! I see! What a pity!" exclaimed Peter. 
 "Well, if you'll be coming this way again, stop and see us. 
 I'll talk to Ma about her. We often take a little run to 
 Multiopolis. Junior wouldn't be satisfied till we got a car, 
 and I can't say we ain't enjoying it ourselves. What was 
 that you were saying about my boy not thinking he'll 
 stay?" 
 
 "She told me," said Mickey, "about the city bug he had 
 in his system. Why don't you swat it immediate?" 
 
 "What do you mean?" inquired Peter. 
 
 "Turn him over to me a week or two," suggested 
 Mickey. "I can give him a dose of working in a city that 
 will send him hiking back to home and father." 
 
 "It's worth considering," said Peter. 
 
 "I know that what I got of Multiopolis would make me 
 feel like von Hindenberg if I had the job of handling the 
 ribbons of your creamery wagon; and so I know about 
 what would put sonny back on the farm, tickled 'most to 
 death to be here." 
 
 "By gum! Well, I'll give you just one hundred dollars 
 if you'll do it!" exclaimed Peter. "You see my grand-
 
 279 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 father and father owned this land before me. We've been 
 on the plowing job so long we have it reduced to a system, 
 so it comes easy for me, and I take pride and pleasure in it; 
 I had supposed my boys would be the same. Do you 
 really think you could manage it?" 
 
 "Sure," said Mickey. "Only, if you really mean it, not 
 now, nor ever, do you want son to know it. See! The 
 medicine wouldn't work, if he knew he took it." 
 
 "Well I'll be jiggered!" laughed Peter. "I guess you 
 could do it, if you went at it right." 
 
 "Well you trust me to do it right," grinned Mickey. 
 "Loan me sonny for a week or two, and you can have him 
 back for keeps." 
 
 "Well it's worth trying," said Peter. "Say, when will 
 you be this way again?" 
 
 "'Most any day," said Mickey. "And your lady said 
 she'd be in Multiopolis soon, so we are sure to have a 
 happy meeting before long. I think that is Mr. Bruce's 
 car coming. Good-bye! Be good to yourself !" 
 
 With a spring from where he was standing Mickey arose 
 in air, alighted on the top rail of the division fence, then 
 balancing, he raced down it toward the road. Peter 
 watched him in astonishment, then went back to his plow- 
 ing with many new things on his mind. Thus it happened 
 that after supper, when the children were in bed, and he 
 and his wife went to the front veranda for their usual 
 evening visit, and talk over the day, she had very little to 
 tell him. 
 
 As was her custom, she removed her apron, brushed her 
 waving hair and wore a fresh dress. She rocked gently in
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 271 
 
 her wicker chair, while her voice was moved to unusual 
 solicitude as she spoke. Peter also had performed a rite 
 he spoke of as "brushing up" for evening. He believed 
 in the efficacy of soap and water, so his body, as well as his 
 clothing, was clean. He sat on the top step leaning against 
 the pillar where the moonlight emphasized his big frame, 
 accented the strong lines of his face and crowned his thick 
 hair, as Nancy Harding thought it should be, with glory. 
 
 "Peter," she said, "did you notice anything about that 
 boy, this afternoon, different from other boys ? " 
 
 "Yes," answered Peter slowly, "I did Nancy. He 
 didn't strike me as being one boy. He has the best of 
 three or four concealed in his lean person." 
 
 "He's had a pretty tough time, I judge," said Nancy. 
 
 "Yet you never saw a boy who took your heart like he 
 did, and neither did I," answered Peter. 
 
 Mickey holding his basket and clover flowers was wait- 
 ing when the car drew up, and to Bruce's inquiry answered 
 that a lady where he stopped for a drink had given him 
 something for Lily. He left the car in the city, sought the 
 nurse and luckily found her at leisure. She listened with 
 the greatest interest to all he had to say. 
 
 "It's a problem," she said, as he finished. "To take 
 her to such a place for a week, and then bring her back 
 where she is, would be harder for her than never going." 
 
 "I got that figured," said Mickey; "but Fve about 
 made up my mind, after seeing the place and thinking 
 over the folks, that it wouldn't happen that way. Once 
 they see her, and find how little trouble she is, they're not 
 people who would send her back 'til it's cool, if they'd
 
 272 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 want to then. And there's this, too: there are other 
 folks who would take her now, and see about her back. 
 Have I got the right to let it go a day, waiting to earn the 
 money myself, when some one else, maybe the Moon- 
 shine Lady, or Mr. Bruce, would do it now, and not put 
 her in an Orphings* Home, either?" 
 
 "No Mickey, you haven't!" said the nurse. 
 
 "Just the way I have it figured," said Mickey. "tfut 
 she's mine, and I'm going to keep her. If her back is 
 fixed, I'm going to have it done. I don't want any one 
 else meddling with my family. You haven't heard any- 
 thing from the Carrel man yet?" 
 
 "No," she said. 
 
 "My, I wish he'd come!" cried Mickey. 
 
 "So do I," said the nurse. "But so far Mickey, I think 
 you are doing all right. If she must be operated, she'd 
 have to be put in condition for it; and while I suspect I 
 could beat you at your job, I am positive you are far sur- 
 passing what she did have." 
 
 "Well I know that too," said Mickey. "But surpass- 
 ing nothing at all isn't going either far or fast. I must 
 do something." 
 
 "If you could bring yourself to consent to giving her 
 up " suggested the nurse. 
 
 "Well I can't!" interposed Mickey. 
 
 /'Just for a while!" continued the nurse. 
 
 "Not fora minute! I found her! She's mine!" 
 
 "Yes, I know; but " began the nurse. 
 
 "I know too," said Mickey. "Gimme a little time." 
 He studied the problem till he reached his grocery.
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 273 
 
 There he thriftily lifted the cloth to peep, and with a 
 sigh of satisfaction pursued his way. Presently he opened 
 his door, to be struck by a wave of hot air and to note a 
 flushed little face and drawn mouth as he went into 
 Peaches' outstretched arms. Then he delivered the care- 
 fully carried clover and the following: 
 
 " I got these from a big, pink field bewildering, 
 That God made a-purpose for cows and childering. 
 Her share is being consumed by the cow, 
 Let's go roll in ours right now." 
 
 "Again!" demanded Peaches. 
 
 Mickey repeated slowly. 
 
 "How could we?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Easy! "said Mickey. 
 
 "'Easy?'" repeated Peaches. 
 
 "Just as easy!" reiterated Mickey. 
 
 "Did you see it?" demanded Peaches. 
 
 "Yes, I saw it to-day," said Mickey. "It's like this: 
 you see some folks live in houses all built together, and 
 work at selling things to eat, and wear, and making 
 things, and doing other work that must be done like doc- 
 tors, and lawyers, and hospitals; that's a city. Then 
 to feed them, other folks live on big pieces of land; the 
 houses are far apart, with streets between, and beside 
 them the big fields where the wheat grows for our bread, 
 and our potatoes, and the grass, and the clover like this 
 to feed the cows. To-day Mr. Bruce didn't play long, 
 so I went walking and stopped at a house for a drink, and 
 there was the nicest lady; we talked some and she give me
 
 274 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 our supper in that pretty basket; and she sent you the 
 clovers from a big pink field so sweet smelly it would 'most 
 make you sick; and there are trees through it, and lots 
 of birds sing, and there are wild roses and fringy white 
 flowers; and it's quiet 'cept the birds, and the roosters 
 crowing, and the wind comes in little perfumey blows on 
 you, and such milk!" 
 
 "Better 'an our milk?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Their milk is so rich it makes ours look like a poor- 
 house relation," scoffed Mickey. 
 
 "Tell me more," demanded Peaches. 
 
 "Wait 'til I get the water to wash you, you are so warm." 
 
 "Yes, it's getting some hot; but 'tain't nothing like on 
 the rags last summer. It's like a real lady here." 
 
 "A pretty warm lady, just the same," said Mickey. 
 
 Then he brought water and leaving the door ajar for the 
 first time, he soon started a draft; that with the coming of 
 cooler evening lowered t'.ie child's temperature, and made 
 her hungry. As he worked Mickey talked. The grass, 
 the blooming orchard, the hen and her little downy 
 chickens, the big cool porch, the wonderful woman and 
 man, the boy whom they expected and who did not 
 come; and then cautiously, slowly, making sure she under- 
 stood, he developed his plan to take her to the country. 
 Peaches drew back and opened her lips. Mickey promptly 
 laid the washcloth over them. 
 
 'Now don't begin to say you 'won't' like a silly baby," 
 he said. "Try it and see, then if you don't like it, you can 
 come right back. You want to ride in a grand automobile 
 like a millyingaire lady, don't you? All the swells go
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 275 
 
 away to the country for the summer, you got to be a swell 
 lady! I ain't going to have you left way behind!" 
 
 "Mickey, would you be there?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes lady, I'd be right on the job!" said Mickey. "I'd 
 be there a lot more than I am here. You go the week they 
 wanted that boy, and he didn't come; then if you like it, 
 I'll see if they won't board you, and you can have a nice 
 little girl to play with, and a fat, real baby, and a boy 
 bigger than me and you should see Peter!" 
 
 Peaches opened her lips, Mickey reapplied the cloth. 
 
 "Calm down now!" he ordered. "I've decided to do it. 
 We got to hump ourselves. This is our chance. Why 
 there's milk, and butter, and eggs, and things to eat there 
 like you never tasted, and to have a cool breeze, and to 
 lie on the grass " 
 
 "Oh Mickey, could I?" cried Peaches. 
 
 "Sure silly! Why not?" said Mickey. "There's big 
 fields of it, and the cows don't need it all. You can lie on 
 the grass, or the clover, and hear the birds, and play with 
 the children. I'll take a day and get things started right 
 before I leave you to come to work, like I'll have to. 
 When I come at night, I'll carry you outdoors; why I'll 
 take you down to the water and you can kick your feet in 
 it, where it's nice and warm; all the time you can have as 
 many flowers as your hands will hold; and such bird sing- 
 ing, why Lily Peaches O'Halloran, there are birds as red 
 as blood, yes ma'am, and yellow as orange peel and light 
 blue like this ribbon and dark blue like that hold still 
 'til I fix you and such singing!" 
 
 "Mickey, would you hold me?" wavered Peaches.
 
 276 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Smash anybody that lays a finger on you, unless you 
 say so," said Mickey promptly. 
 
 "And you'd stay a whole day?" she asked anxiously. 
 
 "Sure '."cried Mickey. 
 
 "An* if I was afraid you'd bring me back?" she went 
 on. 
 
 "Sure! Right away!" he promised. 
 
 "An' they wouldn't anybody 'get' me there?" 
 
 "'Way out there 'mong the clover?" scoffed Mickey. 
 "Why it's here they'll 'get' you if they are going to. No- 
 body out there wants you, but me." 
 
 "Mickey, when will you take me?" she asked eagerly. 
 
 "Before so very long," promised Mickey. "You 
 needn't be surprised to hear me coming with the nice 
 lady to see you any day now, and to be wrapped in a sheet, 
 and put in a big car, and just scooted right out to the very 
 place that God made especial for little girls. To-night we 
 put in another blesses, Lily. We'll pray, 'Bless the nice 
 lady who sent our supper,' won't we?" 
 
 "Yes Mickey, and 'fore you came I didn't want any 
 supper at all, and now I do" said Peaches. 
 
 "You were too warm honey," said Mickey. "We'll 
 just fix this old hot city. We'll run right away from it. 
 See? Now we'll have the grandest supper we ever had." 
 
 Mickey brought water, plates, and forks, and opened 
 the basket. Peaches bolstered with her pillows cried out 
 and marvelled. There was a quart boftle of milk wrapped 
 in a wet cloth. There was a big loaf of crusty brown coun- 
 try bread. There was a small blue bowl of yellow butter, 
 a square of honey even yellower, a box of strawberries,
 
 THE ADVENT OF NANCY AND PETER 277 
 
 and some powdered sugar, and a little heap of sliced, cold 
 boiled ham. Mickey surveyed the table. 
 
 "Now Miss Chicken, here's how!" he warned. "I found 
 you all warm and feverish. If you load up with this, 
 you'll be sick sure. You get a cup of milk, a slice of bread 
 and butter, some berries and a teeny piece of meat. We 
 can live from this a week, if the heat doesn't spoil it." 
 
 "You fix me," said Peaches. 
 
 Then they had such a supper as they neither one ever 
 had known, during which Mickey explained wheat fields 
 and bread, bees and honey, cows and clover, pigs and ham, 
 as he understood them. Peaches repeated her lesson and 
 her prayers and then as had become her custom, demanded 
 that Mickey write his last verse on the slate, so she might 
 learn and copy it on the morrow. She was asleep before 
 he finished. Mickey walked softly, cleared the table, 
 placed it before the window, and taking from his pocket an 
 envelope Mr. Bruce had given him drew out a sheet of 
 folded paper on which he wrote long and laboriously, then 
 locking Peaches in, he slipped down to the mail-box and 
 posted this letter: 
 
 DEAR MISTER CARREL: 
 
 I saw in papers I sold how you put different legs on a dog. I have a 
 little white flowersy-girl that hasn't ever walked. It's her back. A 
 Nurse Lady told me at the "Star of Hope" how you came there some- 
 times, and the next time you come, I guess I will let you see my little 
 girl; and maybe I'll have you fix her back. When you see her you will 
 know that to fix her back would be the biggest thing you ever did or 
 ever could do. I got a job that I can pay her way and mine, and save 
 two dollars a week for you. I couldn't pay all at once, but I could pay 
 steadv; and if you'd lose all you have in any way, it would come in real
 
 278 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 handy to have that much skating in steady as the clock every week for 
 as long as you say, and soon as I can, I'll make it more. I'd give all I 
 got, or ever can get, to cure Lily's back, and because you fixed the dog, 
 I'd like you to fix her. I do hope you will come soon, but of course I 
 don't wish anybody else would get sick so you'd have to. You can ask 
 if I am square of Mr. Douglas Bruce, Iriquois Building, Multiopolis, 
 Indiana, or of Mr. Chaffner, editor of the Herald, whose papers I've 
 sold since I was big enough. 
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 FEMININE REASONING 
 
 WITH vigour renewed by a night of rest Leslie be- 
 gan her second day at Atwater Cabin. She had 
 so many and such willing helpers that before 
 noon she could find nothing more to do. After lunch she 
 felt a desire to explore her new world. Choosing the 
 shady side, she followed the road toward the club house, 
 but one thought in her mind: she must return in time to 
 take the car and meet Douglas Bruce as she had promised. 
 
 She felt elated that she had so planned her summer as to 
 spend it with her father, while of course it was going to be 
 delightful to have her lover with her. So going she came 
 to a most attractive lane that led from the road between 
 tilled fields, back to a wood on one side, and open pasture 
 on the other. Faintly she heard the shouts of children, 
 and yielding to sudden impulse she turned and followed 
 the grassy path. A few more steps, then she stopped in 
 surprise. An automobile was standing on the bank of a 
 brook. On an Indian blanket under a tree sat a woman 
 of fine appearance holding a book, but watching with 
 smiling face the line of the water, which spread in a wide 
 pool above a rudely constructed dam, overflowing it in a 
 small waterfall. 
 
 On either bank lay one of the Minturn boys, muddy and 
 
 279
 
 2 8o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 damp, trying with his hands to catch something in the 
 water. Below the dam, in a blue balbriggan bathing suit, 
 stood James Minturn, his hands filled with a big piece of 
 sod which he bent and applied to a leak. Leslie untied 
 the ribbons of her sunshade and rumpling her hair to the 
 light breeze came forward laughing. 
 
 "Well Mr. Minturn!" she cried. "What is going to 
 become of the taxpayers of Multiopolis while their cham- 
 pion builds a sod dam?" 
 
 Whether the flush on James Minturn's face as he turned 
 to her was exertion, embarrassment, or unpleasant memory 
 Leslie could not decide; but she remembered, after her 
 impulsive greeting, that she had been with his wife in that 
 early morning meeting the day of the trip to the swamp. 
 She thought of many things as she went forward. James 
 Minturn held out his muddy hands as he said laughingly: 
 "You see I'm not in condition for our customary greet- 
 ing." 
 
 "Surely!" cried Leslie. "It is going to wash off, isn't 
 it? If from you, why not from me?" 
 
 "Of course if you want to play!" he said. 
 
 "Playing? You? Honestly?" queried Leslie. 
 
 "Honestly playing," answered the man. "The 'hon- 
 estest* playing in all the world; not the political game, not 
 the money game, not anything called manly sport, just a 
 day off with my boys, being a boy again. Heavens Les- 
 lie, I'm wild about it. I could scarcely sleep last night 
 for eagerness to get started. But let me make you ac- 
 quainted with my family. My sister, Mrs. Winslow, a 
 friend of mine, Miss Leslie Winton; my sons' tutor, Mr.
 
 FEMININE REASONING 281 
 
 Tower; my little brother, William Minturn; my boys, 
 Junior and Malcolm." 
 
 "Anyway, we can shake hands," said Leslie to Mrs. 
 Winslow. "The habit is so ingrained I am scandalized 
 on meeting people if I'm forced to neglect it." 
 
 "Will you share my blanket?" asked Mrs. Winslow. 
 
 "Thanks! Yes, for a little time," said Leslie. "I am 
 greatly interested in what is going on here." 
 
 "So am I," said Mrs. Winslow. "We are engaged 
 in the evolution of an idea. A real 'Do-the-boy's- 
 hahV" 
 
 "It seems to be doing them good," commented Leslie. 
 
 "Never mind the boys," said Mr. Minturn. "I object 
 to such small men monopolizing your attention. Look at 
 the 'good' this is doing me. And would you please tell me 
 why you are here, instead of disporting yourself at, say 
 Lenox?" 
 
 "How funny!" laughed Leslie. "I am out in search of 
 amusement, and I'm finding it. I think I'm perhaps a 
 mile from our home for the summer." 
 
 " You amaze me ! " cried Mr. Minturn. " I saw Douglas 
 this morning, and told him where I was coming, but he 
 , never said a word." 
 
 "He didn't know one to say on this subject," explained 
 Leslie. "You see I rented a cabin over on Atwater and 
 had my plans made before I told even father what a de- 
 lightful thing was in store for him." 
 
 "But how did it happen?" 
 
 "Through my seeing how desperately busy Daddy and 
 Douglas have been all spring, Daddy especially," replied
 
 282 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Leslie. "Douglas is bad enough, but father's just ob- 
 sessed, so much so that I think he's carrying double." 
 
 "I know he is," said Mr. Minturn. "And so you made 
 a plan to allow him to proceed with his work all day and 
 then have the delightful ride, fishing and swimming in 
 Atwater morning and evening. How wonderful! And of 
 course Douglas will be there also?" 
 
 "Of course," agreed Leslie. "At least he shall have an 
 invitation. I'm going to surprise him with it this very 
 evening. How do you think he'll like it?" 
 
 "I think he will be so overjoyed he won't know how to 
 express himself," said James Minturn. "But isn't it 
 going to be lonely for you ? Won't you miss your friends, 
 your frocks, and your usual summer round?" 
 
 "You forget," said Leslie. "My friends and my frocks 
 always have been for winter. All my life I have summered 
 with father." 
 
 "How will you amuse yourself?" he asked. 
 
 "It will take some time each day to plan what to do 
 the next that will bring most refreshment and joy; I often 
 will be compelled to drive in of mornings with orders for 
 my housekeeping, and when other things are exhausted, 
 I am going to make an especial study of wild-bird music." 
 
 "That is an Attractive subject/' said Mr. Minturn. 
 "Have you really made any progress?" 
 
 "Little more than verifying a few songs already re- 
 corded," replied Leslie. " I hear smatterings and snatches, 
 but they are elusive, while I'm not always sure of the iden- 
 tity of the bird. But the subject is thrillingly tempting." 
 
 "It surely is," conceded Mr. Minturn. "I could see
 
 FEMININE REASONING 283 
 
 that Nellie was alert the instant you mentioned it. Come 
 over here to the shade and tell me how far you have gone. 
 You see I've undertaken the boys' education. Malcolm 
 inherits his mother's musical ability to a wonderful degree. 
 It is possible that he could be started on this, and so begin 
 his work while he thinks he's playing." 
 
 Leslie walked to the spot indicated, far enough away 
 that conversation would not interrupt Mrs. Winslow's 
 reading, and near enough to watch the boys; she and Mr. 
 Minturn sat on the grass and talked. 
 
 "It might be the very thing," said Leslie. "Whatever 
 gives even a faint hope of attracting a boy to an educa- 
 tional subject is worth testing." 
 
 "One thing I missed, I always have regretted," said 
 : Mr. Minturn, "I never fiad educated musical compre- 
 . hension. Nellie performed and sang so well, and in my 
 soul I knew what I could understand and liked in music 
 she scorned. Sometimes I thought if I had known only 
 enough to appreciate the right thing at the right time, 
 it might have formed a slender tie between us; so I 
 want the boys both to recognize good music when they 
 hear it; but they have so much to learn all at once, pool 
 little chaps, I scarcely see where to begin, and in a mu- 
 sical way, I don't even know how to begin. Tell me 
 about the birds, Leslie. Just what is it you are studying? " 
 
 "The strains of our famous composers that are lifted 
 bodily for measures at a time, from the song of a bird or 
 indisputably based upon it," answered Leslie. 
 
 "Did you and Nellie have any success?" 
 
 "Indeed yes! We had the royal luck to hear exactly
 
 2 8 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the song I had hoped; and besides we talked of many 
 things and Nellie settled her future course in her mind. 
 When she went into the swamp alone and came out with 
 an armload of lavender fringed orchids she meant to carry 
 to Elizabeth, and her heart firmly resolved to begin a new 
 life with you, she told me she felt like flying; that never 
 had she been so happy." 
 
 Leslie paused, glancing at James Minturn. He seemed 
 puzzled: "I don't understand. But nothing matters now. 
 Tell me about the birds," he said. 
 
 "And it is what you admit you don't understand that 
 I must tell you of," said Leslie. "I've been afraid, hor- 
 ribly afraid you didn't understand, and that you took 
 some course you wouldn't have taken if you did. What 
 happened in the swamp was all my fault!" 
 
 "The birds, Leslie, tell me of the birds," commanded 
 James Minturn. "You can't possibly know what occurred 
 that separated Nellie and me." 
 
 "No, I don't know your side of it; but I do know hers, 
 and I don't think you do," persisted Leslie. "Now if you 
 would be big enough to let me tell you how it was with her 
 that day, and what she said to me, your mind would be 
 perfectly at rest as to the course you have taken." 
 
 "My mind is 'perfectly at rest now as to the course I 
 have taken,'" said Mr. Minturn. "I realize that a man 
 should meet life as it comes to him. I endured mine in 
 sweating humiliation for years, and I would have gone on 
 to the end, if it had been a question of me only, but when 
 the girl was sacrificed and the boys in a fair way to meet 
 a worse fate than hers, the question no longer hinged on
 
 FEMININE REASONING 285 
 
 me. You have seen my sons during their mother's 
 regime, when they were children of wealth in the care of 
 servants; look at them now and dare to tell me that they 
 are not greatly improved." 
 
 "Surely they are!" said Leslie. "You did right to 
 rescue them from their environment; all the fault that lies 
 with you so far is, that you did not do from the start what 
 you are now doing. The thing that haunts me is this, 
 Mr. Minturn, and I must get it out of my mind before I 
 can sleep soundly again you will let me tell you you 
 won't think me meddling in what must be dreadful heart- 
 ache? Oh you won't will you?" 
 
 "No, I won't," said Mr. Minturn, "but it is prolonging 
 heartache to discuss this matter, and wasting time better 
 used in the building of >a sod dam indeed Leslie, tell me 
 about the birds." 
 
 "I will, if you'll answer one question," said Leslie. 
 
 "Dangerous, but I'll risk it," replied Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "I must ask two or three minor ones to reach the real 
 one," explained the girl. 
 
 "Oh Leslie," laughed Mr. Minturn. "I didn't think 
 you were so like the average woman." 
 
 "A large number of men are finding 'the average 
 woman' quite delightful," said Leslie. "Men respect a 
 masculine, well-balanced, argumentative woman, but 
 every time they love and marry the impulsive, change- 
 able, companionable one." 
 
 1 "Provided she be endowed with truth, character, and 
 common mother instinct enough to protect her young 
 yes I grant it, and glory in it," said Mr. Minturn. "I
 
 286 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 can furnish logic for one family, and most men I know feel 
 qualified to do the same." 
 
 " Surely!" agreed Leslie. "You were waiting for Nellie 
 the night she came from the tamarack swamp with me, 
 and she told me you had a little box, and that with its 
 contents you had threatened to 'freeze her soul,' if she 
 had a soul. I'll be logical and fair, and ask but the one 
 question I first stipulated. Here it is: did you wait until 
 you made sure she had a soul, worthy of your considera- 
 tion, before you froze it?" 
 
 James Minturn's laugh was ugly to hear. 
 
 "My dear girl," he said. "I made sure she had not 
 three years ago." 
 
 "And I made equally sure that she had," said Leslie, 
 "in the tamarack swamp when she wrestled as Jacob at 
 Peniel against her birth, her environment, her wealth, and 
 triumphed over all of them for you and her sons. I can't 
 go on with my own plan for personal happiness, until I 
 know for sure if you perfectly understand that she came to 
 you that night to confess to you her faults, errors, mis- 
 takes, sins, if need be, and ask you to take the head of your 
 household, and to help her fashion each hour of her life 
 anew. Did she have a chance to tell you all this?" 
 
 "No," said Mr. Minturn. "But it would have made 
 no difference, if she had. It came too late." 
 
 "You have not the right to say that to any living, suf- 
 fering human being!" protested Leslie. 
 
 "I have a perfect right to say it to her," said Mr. Min- 
 turn. "A right that would be justified in any court in 
 the world, either of lawyers or people."
 
 FEMININE REASONING 287 
 
 "Then thank God, Nellie gets her trial higher. He 
 will understand, and forgive her." 
 
 "You don't know what she did," said Mr. Minturn. 
 "What she stood before me and the officers of the law, 
 and admitted she did." 
 
 "I don't care what she did! There were men forgiven 
 on the cross; because they sincerely repented, God had 
 mercy on them, so He will on her, and what's more, He 
 won't have any on you, unless you follow His example and 
 forgive when you are asked, by a woman as deeply re- 
 pentant as she was." 
 
 "Her repentance comes too late," said Mr. Minturn 
 with finality. "Her error is not reparable" 
 
 "There is no such thing as true repentance being too 
 late," insisted Leslie. "You are distinctly commanded 
 to forgive; you have got to do it! There is no error that 
 is not reparable. Since you hint tragedy, I will concede 
 it. If she had been directly responsible for the death of 
 her child, it was a mistake, criminal carelessness, but not 
 a thing purposely planned; so she could atone for it by 
 doing her best for you and the boys." 
 
 "Any mother who once did the things she did is not fit 
 to be trusted again!" 
 
 "What nonsense! James Minturn, you amaze me!'* 
 said Leslie. "That is a little too cold masculine logic. 
 That is taking from the whole human race the power to 
 repent of and repair a mistake." 
 
 "There are some mistakes that cannot be repaired!" 
 
 "I grant it," said Leslie. "There are! You are mak- 
 ing one right now J"
 
 288 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "That's the most strictly feminine utterance I ever 
 heard," said Mr. Minturn, with a short laugh. 
 
 "Thank you," retorted Leslie. "The compliment is 
 high, but I accept it. I ask nothing better at the hands 
 of fate than to be the most feminine of women. And I've 
 told you what I feel forced to. You can now go on with 
 your plans, knowing they are exactly what she had mapped 
 out, hastily, but surely. She said to me that she must 
 build from the foundations, which meant a new home." 
 
 "You are fatuously mistaken!" said Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "She said to me," reiterated Leslie forcefully, "that for 
 ten years she had done exactly what she pleased, lived 
 only for her own pleasure, now she would do as you dic- 
 tated for a like time, live your way I never was farther 
 from a mistake in my life. If you think it doesn't take 
 courage to tell you this, and if you think I enjoy it, and 
 if you think I don't wish I w r ere a mile away " 
 
 "I still maintain I know the lady better than you do," 
 said Mr. Minturn. " But you are wonderful Leslie, and I 
 always shall respect and honour you for your effort in our 
 behalf. It does credit to your head and heart. I envy 
 Douglas Bruce. If ever an hour of trial comes to you, 
 I would feel honoured for a chance to prove to you how 
 much I appreciate " 
 
 "Don't talk like that!" wailed Leslie. "It's all a fail- 
 ure if you do! Promise me that you will think this over. 
 Let me send you the note Nellie wrote me before she went 
 away. Won't you try to imagine what she is suffering 
 to-day, in the change from what she went to you hoping, 
 and what she received at your hands?"
 
 FEMININE REASONING 289 
 
 "Let me see," said James Minturn. "At this hour she 
 is probably enduring the pangs of wearing the most taste- 
 ful afternoon gown on the veranda of whatever summer 
 resort suits her variable fancy, also the discomfiture of the 
 woman she induced to bid high and is now winning from 
 at bridge. I am particularly intimate with her forms of 
 suffering; you see I judge them by my own and my chil- 
 dren's during the past years." 
 
 "Then you think I'm not sincere?" asked Leslie. 
 
 "Surely, my dear girl!" said Mr. Minturn. "With all 
 my heart I believe you ! I know you are loyal to her, and 
 to me! It isn't you I disbelieve, child, it is my wife." 
 
 "But I've told you over and over that she's changed." 
 
 "And I refuse to believe in her power to undergo the 
 genuine and permanent change that would make her an 
 influence for good with her sons, or anything but an un- 
 controllable element in my home," said Mr. Minturn. 
 "Why Leslie, if I were to hunt her up and ask her to 
 come to my house, do you think she would do it?" 
 
 "I know she would be most happy," said Leslie. 
 
 "Small plain rooms, wait on herself, children over the 
 house and lawn at all times Nellie Minturn? You 
 amuse me!" he said. 
 
 "There's no amusement in it for me, it is pitiful trag- 
 edy," said Leslie. "She is willing, she has offered to 
 change, you are denying her the opportunity." 
 
 "You don't think deeply enough!" said the man. "Sup- 
 pose, knowing her as I do, I agreed to her coming to my 
 house. Suppose I filled it with servants to wait on her, 
 and ruin and make snobs of the boys; it could only result
 
 290 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 in a fiasco all around, and bring me again to the awful 
 thing I have been through once, in forcing a separation. 
 The present is too good for the boys, and just now they 
 are my first consideration." 
 
 "So I see," said Leslie. "Nellie isn't getting a par- 
 ticle and she is their mother, and once she really awakened 
 to the situation, she was hungry to mother them, and to 
 take her place in their hearts. I don't know where she 
 is, but feeling as she did when we parted, I know she's not 
 at any summer resort playing bridge at this minute." 
 
 "You are a friend worth having, Leslie; I congratulate 
 my wife on so staunch an advocate," said James Minturn. 
 "And Til promise you this: I'll go back to the hateful 
 subject, just when I felt I was free from it. I'll think on 
 both sides, and I'll weigh all you've said. If I see a 
 glimmering, I will do this much I will locate her, and 
 learn how genuine was the change you witnessed, and I 
 rather think I'll manage for you to see also. Will that 
 satisfy you?" 
 
 "That will make me radiant, because the change I 
 witnessed was genuine. I know that wherever Nellie 
 is to-day and whatever she is doing, she is still firm as 
 when she left me in her desire for reparation toward you 
 and her sons. Please tV.nk fast, and find her quickly." 
 
 "Leslie, you're incorrigible! Go bring Douglas to his 
 surprise. He has a right to be happy." 
 
 "So have you," insisted Leslie. "More than he, be- 
 cause you have had such deep sorrow. Good-bye." 
 
 Then Leslie took leave of the others, returned to the 
 cabin, and hurried to her room to dress for her trip to
 
 FEMININE REASONING 291 
 
 bring her lover. Douglas Bruce was waiting when she 
 stopped at the Iriquois and his greeting was joyous. Mr. 
 Winton was cordial, but Douglas noticed that he seemed 
 tired and worried, and inquired if he were working un- 
 usually hard. He replied that he was, and beginning to 
 feel the heat a little. 
 
 "Then we will drive to the country before dinner to 
 cool off," said Leslie, seeing her opportunity. 
 
 Both men agreed that would be enjoyable. After a 
 few minutes of casual talk they relaxed while making 
 smooth passage over city streets and the almost equally 
 level highways of the country. At the end of half an hour 
 Douglas sat upright, looking around him. 
 
 "I don't recognize this," he said. "Have we been here 
 before, Leslie?" 
 
 "I think not," she answered. "I don't know why. It 
 is one of my best loved drives. Always before we have 
 taken the road to the club house, or some of its branches." 
 
 They began a gentle ascent, when directly across their 
 v/ay stretched the blue water of a lake. 
 
 "Is here where we take the plunge?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "No indeed!" answered Leslie. "Here we speed until 
 we gather such momentum that we shoot across the water 
 and alight on the opposite bank without stopping. Make 
 your landing neatly, Rogers!" 
 
 "Why have we never been here before?" marvelled 
 Douglas. "I don't remember any other road one-half so 
 inviting. Just look ahead here! See what a beautiful 
 picture!" He indicated a vine of creeping blackberry 
 spreading over gold sand, its rough, deeply serrated leaves
 
 292 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 of most artistic cutting, with tufts of snowy bloom sur- 
 rounding dark-tipped stamens in their centres. 
 
 "Isn't it!" answered Mr. Winton. "You know what 
 Whitman said of it ? " 
 
 "I'm not so well read in Whitman as you are." 
 
 "Which is your distinct loss," said Mr. Winton. "It 
 was he who wrote, 'A running blackberry would adorn the 
 parlours of Heaven.' " 
 
 "And so it would!" exclaimed Douglas. "What a 
 frieze that would make for a dining-room! Have you ever 
 seen it used?" 
 
 "Never," answered Leslie, "or many other of our most 
 exquisite forms of wild growth." 
 
 "What beautiful country!" Douglas commented a 
 minute later as the car sped from the swamp, ran uphill, 
 and down a valley between stretches of tilled farm land 
 on either side, sloping back to the lakes now growing dis- 
 tant, then creeping up a gradual incline until Atwater 
 flashed into sight. 
 
 "Man! That's fine!" he said, rising in the car to better 
 admire the view, at which Leslie signalled the driver to 
 run slower. "I don't remember that I ever saw anything 
 quite so attractive as this. And if ever water invited a 
 swimmer that white sand bed seems to extend as far 
 into the lake as you can see. Jove! Wasn't that a black 
 bass under that thorn bush?" 
 
 Leslie's eyes were shining while her laugh was as joyous 
 as any of the birds. He need not say more. There was a 
 bathing suit in his room; in ten minutes he could be cleav- 
 ing the water to the opposite shore and have time to re-
 
 FEMININE REASONING 293 
 
 turn before dinner. The car sped down where the road 
 ran level with the water. A flock of waders arose and 
 circled the lake. On the right was the orchard, the newly 
 made garden, the tiny cabin with green lawn, hammocks 
 swinging between trees, Indian blankets spread, and the 
 odour of cooking food in the air. The car stopped, 
 Douglas sprang out and offered his hand as he saw Leslie 
 intended descending. She took the hand and kept it in 
 her left. With her right she included woods, water, or- 
 chard and cabin. 
 
 "These are my surprise for you," she said. "I am 
 going to live here this summer, and keep house for you 
 and Dad while you run and reform the world. Welcome 
 home, Douglas!" 
 
 He slowly looked around, then at Mr. Winton. 
 
 "Do you believe her?" he asked incredulously. 
 
 "Yes indeed! Leslie has the faculty of making good. 
 And I'm one day ahead of you. She tried this on me last 
 night. Hurry into your bathing suit; we'll swim before 
 dinner, and then we'll fish. It was great going in this 
 morning! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!" 
 
 " Enjoy it ! " cried Douglas. " Here is where the paucity 
 of our language is made manifest." 
 
 Too happy herself for the right word, Leslie showed 
 Douglas to his room, with its white bed, and row of hooks, 
 on one of which hung the bathing suit; then she went to 
 put on her own, and they hurried to the lake. 
 
 "You are happy here, Leslie?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Never in my life have I been so happy as I am this mo- 
 ment," said Leslie, skifting the clear water with her hands
 
 294 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 while she waited for her father before starting the swim 
 to the opposite shore. "I've got the most joyous thing 
 to tell you." 
 
 "Go on and tell, 'Bearer of Morning,'" he said. "I 
 am so delighted I'm maudlin." 
 
 "Right over there, on the road to the club house, while 
 'seeking new worlds to conquer' this afternoon, I ran 
 into James Minturn wearing a bathing suit, to his knees 
 in mud and water, building a sod dam for his boys." 
 
 "You did?" cried Douglas. 
 
 "I did!" said Leslie. "Here's the picture: a beautiful 
 winding stream, big trees like these on the banks, shade 
 and flowers, birds, and air a-plenty, a fine appearing 
 woman he introduced as his sister, a Minturn boy catching 
 fish with his bare hands on either bank, the brother Min- 
 turn must have adopted legally, since he gave him his 
 name " 
 
 "He did," interrupted Douglas. "He told me so " 
 
 "I was sure of it," said Leslie. "And an interesting 
 young man, a tutor, bringing up more sod; the boys acted 
 quite like any other agreeably engaged children but Min- 
 turn himself, looking like a man I never saw before, 
 down in the sand and water building a sod dam a sod 
 dam I'm telling you " 
 
 "I notice what you are telling me," cried Douglas. 
 "It is duly impressing me. 'Dam' is all I can think of." 
 
 "It's no wonder!" exclaimed Leslie. 
 
 "What did he say to you?" queried Douglas. 
 
 "It wasn't necessary for him to say anything," said 
 Leslie. " I could see. He is making over his boys and in
 
 FEMININE REASONING 295 
 
 order to do it sympathetically, and win their confidence 
 and love, he is being a boy himself again. He has the 
 little chaps under control now. There are love and ad- 
 miration in their tones when they speak to him, while they 
 obey him. Think of it!" 
 
 "It is something worth thinking of," said Douglas. 
 "He was driven to action, but his methods must have been 
 heroic; for they seem to have worked." 
 
 "Yes, for him and the boys," said Leslie, "but they are 
 not all his family." 
 
 "The remainder of his family always has looked out for 
 herself to the exclusion of everything else in life, you have 
 told me; I imagine she is still doing it with wonderful suc- 
 cess," hazarded Douglas. 
 
 "It amazes me how men can be so unfeeling." 
 
 "So you talked to him about her?" 
 
 "I surely did!" asserted Leslie. 
 
 "And I'll wager you wasted words," said Douglas. 
 
 " Not one ! " cried the girl. " He will remember each one 
 I spoke. If I don't hear of him taking some action 
 soon, I'll find another occasion, and try again. He shall 
 divide the joy of remaking those boys with their mother." 
 
 "She will respectfully I mean disdainfully, decline!" 
 
 "You don't believe she was in earnest in what she said 
 to me then?" asked the girl. 
 
 "I am quite sure she was," he answered, "but a few 
 days of her former life with her old friends will take her 
 back to her previous ways with greater abandon than 
 ever. You mark my words." 
 
 "Bother your words!" cried Leslie emphatically. "I
 
 296 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 tell you Douglas, I went through the fire with her. I 
 watched her soul come out white. Promise me that if 
 ever he talks to you, you won't say anything against her." 
 
 "It would be a temptation," he said. "Minturn is a 
 different man." 
 
 "So is she a different woman! Come on Dad, we are 
 waiting for you," called Leslie. "What kept you so?" 
 
 "A paper fell from my pocket, so I picked it up and in 
 glancing at it I became interested in a thought that hadn't 
 occurred to me before, and I forgot. You must forgive 
 your old Daddy; his hands are about full these days. 
 Between my job for the city, and my own affairs, and 
 those of a friend, I have all I can carry. Now let me 
 forget business. I call this great of the girl. And one 
 of the biggest appeals to me is the bill of fare. I had 
 a dinner for a king last night. What have we to-night?" 
 
 "But won't anticipation spoil it?" she asked. 
 
 "Not a particle," he declared. 
 
 "It's the fish we caught last night, baked potatoes, 
 cress salad from Minturn's brook, strawberries from At- 
 waters, cream from our rented cow, real clover cream, 
 Mrs. James says, and biscuit. That's all." 
 
 "Glory!" cried Mr. Winton. "Doesn't that thrill 
 you? Let's head for the tallest tamarack of the swamp 
 and then have a feast." 
 
 On the opposite bank they rested a few minutes, then 
 returned to dinner. Afterward, with Rogers rowing for 
 Mr. Winton, and Leslie for Douglas, they went bass fish- 
 ing. When the boats passed on the far shore Leslie and 
 Douglas had three, and Mr. Winton five. This did not
 
 FEMININE REASONING 297 
 
 prove that he was the better fisherman, only that he worked 
 constantly; they lost much time in conversation which in- 
 terested them; but as they enjoyed what they had to say 
 more than the sport, while Leslie only wished them to take 
 the fish they would use, it was their affair. The girl soon 
 returned to the Minturns and secured a promise from 
 Douglas that if Mr. Minturn talked with him, at least he 
 would say nothing to discourage his friend about the 
 sincerity of his wife's motives. Leslie's thoughts then 
 turned to the surprise Douglas had mentioned. 
 
 "Oh, that pretty girl?" he inquired casually. 
 
 "Yes, Lily," she said. "Of course Mickey took you to 
 see her! Is she really a lovable child, and attractive? 
 Could you get any idea of what is her trouble?" 
 
 Douglas carefully reeled while looking at Leslie with a 
 speculative smile. "You refuse to consider an attractive 
 young lady of greater beauty than I have previously 
 seen?" he queried. 
 
 "Absolutely! Don't waste time on it," she said. 
 
 "You'll have to begin again and ask me one at a time," 
 he laughed. "What was your first?" 
 
 "Is she really a lovable child?" repeated Leslie. 
 
 "She most certainly is," said Douglas. "I could love 
 her dearly. It's plain that Mickey adores her. Why 
 when a boy gives up trips to the country, the chance to 
 pick up good money, in order to stand over, wash, and cook 
 for a little sick girl, what is the answer?" 
 
 "The one you have given that he adores her," con- 
 ceded Leslie. "The next was, 'Is she attractive?" 
 
 "Wonderfully!" cried Douglas. "And what she would
 
 298 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 be in health with flesh to cover her bones and colour on her 
 lips and cheeks is now only dimly foreshadowed." 
 
 " She must have her chance," said Leslie. " I was think- 
 ing of her to-day. I'll go to see her at once and bring her 
 here. I will get the best surgeon in Multiopolis to ex- 
 amine her and a nurse if need be; then Mickey can come 
 out with you." 
 
 "Would you really, Leslie?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "But why not?" cried she. "That's one of the things 
 worth while in the world/' 
 
 "I'd love to go halvers with you," proposed Douglas. 
 "Let's do it! When will you go to see her?" 
 
 " In a few days," said Leslie. ' ' The last one was, ' Could 
 you get any idea of what is the trouble?" 
 
 "Very little," said Douglas. "She can sit up and move 
 her hands. He is teaching her to read and write. She 
 had her lesson very creditably copied out on her slate. 
 She practises in his absence on poems Mickey makes." 
 
 "Poems?" 
 
 "Doggerel," explained Douglas. "Four lines at a time. 
 Some of it is pathetic, some of it is witty, some of it pres- 
 ages possibilities. He may make a poet. She requires 
 a verse each evening, so he recites it, then writes it out, 
 and she uses it for copy the next day. The finished 
 product is to have a sky-blue cover and be decorated either 
 with an English sparrow, the only bird she has seen, or a 
 cow. She likes milk, and the pictures of cows give her 
 an idea that she can handle them like her doll " 
 
 "Oh Douglas!" protested Leslie. 
 
 "I believe she thinks a whole herd of cows could be
 
 FEMININE REASONING 299 
 
 kept on her bed, while she finds them quite suitable to 
 decorate Mickey's volume," said Douglas. 
 
 "Why, hasn't she seen anything at all?" 
 
 "She has been on the street twice in her life that she 
 knows of," answered Douglas. "It will be kind of you 
 to take her, and cure her if it can be done, but you'll have 
 to consult Mickey. She is his find, so he claims her, 
 belligerently, I might warn you!" 
 
 "Claims her! He has her ?" marvelled Leslie. 
 
 "Surely! In his room! On his bed! Taking care of 
 her himself, and doing a mighty fine job of it! Best she 
 ever had I am quite sure," said Douglas. 
 
 "But Douglas!" cried Leslie in amazement. 
 
 "'But me no buts,' my lady!" warned Douglas. "I 
 know what you would say. Save it! You can't do any- 
 thing that way. Mickey is right. She is his. He found 
 her in her last extremity, in rags, on the floor in a dark 
 corner of an attic. He carried her home in that condition, 
 to a clean bed his mother left him. Since, he has been her 
 gallant little knight, lying on the floor on his winter bed- 
 ding, feeding her first and most, not a thought for himself. 
 God, Leslie! I don't stand for anything coming between 
 Mickey and his child, his 'family' he calls her. He's the 
 biggest small specimen I ever have seen. I'll fight his 
 cause in any court in the country, if his right to her is 
 questioned, as it will be the minute she is taken to a sur- 
 geon or a hospital." 
 
 "How old is she?" asked Leslie. 
 
 "Neither of them knows. About ten, I should think." 
 
 "How has he managed to keep her hidden this long?"
 
 300 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "He lives in an attic. The first woman he tried to 
 get help from started the Home question, and frightened 
 him; so he appealed to a nurse he met through being con- 
 nected with an accident; she gave him supplies, instruc- 
 tions and made Lily gowns." 
 
 "But why didn't she ?" began Leslie. 
 
 "She may have thought the child was his sister," said 
 Douglas. "She's the loveliest little thing, Leslie!" 
 
 "Very little? "asked Leslie. 
 
 "Tiny is the word," said Douglas. "It's the prettiest 
 sight I ever saw to watch him wait on her, and to see 
 her big, starved, scared eyes follow him with adoring 
 trust." 
 
 "Adoration on both sides, then," laughed Leslie. 
 
 "You imply I'm selecting too big words," said Douglas. 
 "Wait till you see her, and see them together." 
 
 "It's a problem!" said Leslie. 
 
 "Yes, I admit that!" conceded Douglas, "but it isn't 
 your problem." 
 
 "But they can't go on that way!" cried Leslie. 
 
 "I grant that," said Douglas. "All I stipulate is that 
 Mickey shall be left to plan their lives himself, and in a 
 way that makes him happy." 
 
 "That's only fair to him!" said Leslie. 
 
 "Now you are grasping and assimilating the situation 
 properly," commented Douglas. 
 
 When they returned to the cabin they found Mr. Winton 
 stretched in a hammock smoking. Douglas took a blan- 
 ket and Leslie a cushion on the steps, while all of them 
 watched the moon pass slowly across Atwater.
 
 FEMININE REASONING 301 
 
 "How are you progressing with the sinners of Multiop- 
 olis?" asked Mr. Winton of Douglas. 
 
 "Fine!" he answered. "I've found what I think will 
 turn out to be a big defalcation. Somebody drops out in 
 disgrace with probably a penitentiary sentence." 
 
 "Oh Douglas! How can you?" cried Leslie. 
 
 "How can a man live in luxury- when he is stealing other 
 people's money to pay the bills?" he retorted. 
 
 "Yes I know, but Douglas, I wish you would buy this 
 place and plow corn, or fish for a living." 
 
 "Sometimes I have an inkling that before I finish with 
 this I shall wish so too," replied he. 
 
 "What do you think, Daddy?" asked Leslie. 
 
 "I think the 'way of the transgressor is hard,' and that 
 as always he pays in the end. Go ahead son, but let me 
 know before you reach my office or any of my men. I 
 hope I have my department in perfect order, but some- 
 times a man gets a surprise." 
 
 "Of course!" agreed Douglas. "Look at that water, 
 will you? Just beyond that ragged old sycamore! That 
 fellow must have been a whale. Isn't this great?" 
 
 "The best of life," said Mr. Winton, stooping to kiss 
 Leslie as he said good-night to both.
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 
 
 WHEN Mickey posted his letter, in deep thought 
 he slowly walked home. That night his eyes 
 closed with a feeling of relief. He was certain 
 that when Peter and his wife and children talked over the 
 plan he had suggested they would be anxious to have such 
 a nice girl as Lily in their home for a week. He even went 
 so far as the vague thought that if they kept her until fall, 
 they never would be able to give her up, and possibly she 
 could remain with them until he could learn whether her 
 back could be cured, and make arrangements suitable for 
 her. In his heart he felt sure that Mr. Bruce or Miss 
 Leslie would help him take care of her, but he had strong 
 objections to them. He thought the country with its 
 clean air, birds, flowers and quiet the best place for her; if 
 he allowed them to take her, she would be among luxuries 
 which would make all he could do unappreciated. 
 
 "She wasn't born to things like that; what's the use to 
 spoil her with them?" he argued. "Course they haven't 
 spoiled Miss Leslie, but she wasn't a poor kid to start on, 
 and she has a father to take care of her, and Mr. Bruce. 
 Lily has only me and I'm going to manage my family my- 
 self. Pretty soon those nice folks will come, and if she 
 likes them, maybe I'll let them take her 'til it's cooler." 
 
 3<DZ
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 303 
 
 Mickey had thought they would come soon, but he had 
 not supposed it would be the following day. He went 
 downtown early, spent some time drilling his protege in 
 the paper business, and had the office ready when Douglas 
 Bruce arrived an hour late. During that hour, Mickey's 
 call came. He made an appointment to meet Mr. 
 and Mrs. Peter Harding at Marsh & Jordan's at four 
 o'clock. 
 
 "Peter must have wanted to see her so bad he quit 
 plowing to come," commented Mickey, as he hung up the 
 receiver. "He couldn't have finished that field last night! 
 They're just crazy to see Lily, and when they do, they'll be 
 worse yet; but of course they wouldn't want to take her 
 from me, 'cause they got three of their own. I guess Peter 
 is the safest proposition I know. Course he wouldn't ever 
 put a little flowersy-girl in any old Orphings' Home. Sure 
 he wouldn't! He wouldn't put his own there, course he 
 wouldn't mine!" 
 
 "Mickey, what do you think?" asked Douglas as he 
 entered. "I've moved to the country!" 
 
 Mickey stared. Then came his slow comment: "Gee! 
 The cows an' the clover gets all of us!" 
 
 "I can beat that," said Douglas. "I'm going to live 
 beside a lake where I can swim every night and morning, 
 and catch big bass, and live on strawberries from the vines 
 and cream straight from the cow " 
 
 "I thought you'd get to the cow before long." 
 
 "And you are invited to go out with me as often as you 
 want to, and you may arrange to have Lily out too ! Won't 
 that be fine?"
 
 304 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey hesitated while his eyes grew speculative, before 
 he answered with his ever ready: "Sure!" 
 
 "Miss Winton made a plan for her father and me," ex- 
 plained Douglas. "She knew we would lose our vacations 
 this summer, so she took an old cabin on Atwater, and 
 moved out. We are to go back and forth each morning 
 and evening. I never was at the lake before, but it's not 
 far from the club house and it's beautiful. I think most of 
 all I shall enjoy the swimming and fishing." 
 
 "I haven't had experience with water enough to swim 
 in," said Mickey. "A tub has been my limit. You'll 
 have a fine time all right, and thank you for asking me. I 
 think Miss Winton is great. Ain't it funny how many 
 fine folks there are in the world ? 'Most every one I meet 
 is too nice for any use; but I don't know any Swell Dames, 
 my people are just common folks." 
 
 "You wouldn't call Miss Winton a 'Swell Dame,' 
 then?" 
 
 "Well I should say nix!" cried Mickey. "You wouldn't 
 catch her motoring away to a party and leaving her baby 
 to be slapped and shook out of its breath by a mad nurse- 
 lady, 'cause she left it herself where the sun hurt its eyes. 
 She wouldn't put a little girl that couldn't walk in any 
 Orphings' Home where no telling what might happen to 
 her! She'd fix her a Precious Child and take her for a ride 
 in her car and be careful with her." 
 
 "Are you quite sure about that Mickey?" 
 
 "Surest thing you know," said Mickey emphatically. 
 "Why look her straight in the eyes, and you can tell. I 
 saw her coming away down the street, and the minute I
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 305 
 
 got my peepers on her I picked her for a winner. I guess 
 you did too/' 
 
 "I certainly did," said Douglas. "But it is most im- 
 portant that I be perfectly sure, so I should like to have 
 your approval of my choice." 
 
 "I guess you're kidding now," ventured Mickey. 
 
 "No, I'm in earnest," said Douglas Bruce. "You see 
 Mickey, as I have said before, your education and mine 
 have been different, but yours is equally valuable." 
 
 "What shall I do now? 'Scuse me, I mean what do I 
 mean?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "To wait until I'm ready for you," suggested Douglas. 
 
 "Sure!" conceded Mickey. "It's because I'm used to 
 hopping so lively on the streets." 
 
 "Do you miss the streets?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "Well not so much as I thought I would," said Mickey, 
 "'sides in a way I'm still on the job, but I guess I'll get 
 Henry's boy so he can go it all right. He seems to be 
 doing fairly well; so does the old man." 
 
 "Have you got him in training too?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Oh it's his mug," explained Mickey impatiently. 
 "S'pose you do own a grouch, what's the use of displaying 
 it in your show window? Those things are dangerous. 
 They're contagious. Seeing a fellow on the street looking 
 like he'd never smile again, makes other folks think of 
 their woes, so pretty soon everybody gets sorry for them- 
 selves. I'd like to see the whole world happy." 
 
 "Mickey, what makes you so happy to-day?" 
 
 "I scent somepin' nice in the air," said Mickey. "I 
 hear the rumble of the joy wagon coming my way."
 
 3 o 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey hesitated while his eyes grew speculative, before 
 he answered with his ever ready: "Sure!" 
 
 "Miss Winton made a plan for her father and me," ex- 
 plained Douglas. "She knew we would lose our vacations 
 this summer, so she took an old cabin on Atwater, and 
 moved out. We are to go back and forth each morning 
 and evening. I never was at the lake before, but it's not 
 far from the club house and it's beautiful. I think most of 
 all I shall enjoy the swimming and fishing." 
 
 "I haven't had experience with water enough to swim 
 in," said Mickey. "A tub has been my limit. You'll 
 have a fine time all right, and thank you for asking me. I 
 think Miss Winton is great. Ain't it funny how many 
 fine folks there are in the world ? 'Most every one I meet 
 is too nice for any use; but I don't know any Swell Dames, 
 my people are just common folks." 
 
 "You wouldn't call Miss Winton a 'Swell Dame,' 
 then?" 
 
 "Well I should say nix!" cried Mickey. "You wouldn't 
 catch her motoring away to a party and leaving her baby 
 to be slapped and shook out of its breath by a mad nurse- 
 lady, 'cause she left it herself where the sun hurt its eyes. 
 She wouldn't put a little girl that couldn't walk in any 
 Orphings' Home where no telling what might happen to 
 her! She'd fix her a Precious Child and take her for a ride 
 in her car and be careful with her." 
 
 "Are you quite sure about that Mickey?" 
 
 "Surest thing you know," said Mickey emphatically. 
 "Why look her straight in the eyes, and you can tell. I 
 saw her coming away down the street, and the minute I
 
 "M, 
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 305 
 
 got my peepers on her I picked her for a winner. I guess 
 you did too." 
 
 "I certainly did," said Douglas. "But it is most im- 
 portant that I be perfectly sure, so I should like to have 
 your approval of my choice." 
 
 I guess you're kidding now," ventured Mickey. 
 No, I'm in earnest," said Douglas Bruce. "You see 
 Mickey, as I have said before, your education and mine 
 have been different, but yours is equally valuable." 
 
 "What shall I do now? 'Scuse me, I mean what do I 
 mean?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "To wait until I'm ready for you," suggested Douglas. 
 
 "Sure!" conceded Mickey. "It's because I'm used to 
 hopping so lively on the streets." 
 
 "Do you miss the streets?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "Well not so much as I thought I would," said Mickey, 
 "'sides in a way I'm still on the job, but I guess I'll get 
 Henry's boy so he can go it all right. He seems to be 
 doing fairly well; so does the old man." 
 
 "Have you got him in training too?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Oh it's his mug," explained Mickey impatiently. 
 ''S'pose you do own a grouch, what's the use of displaying 
 it in your show window? Those things are dangerous. 
 They're contagious. Seeing a fellow on the street looking 
 like he'd never smile again, makes other folks think of 
 their woes, so pretty soon everybody gets sorry for them- 
 selves. I'd like to see the whole world happy." 
 
 "Mickey, what makes you so happy to-day?" 
 
 "I scent somepin' nice in the air," said Mickey. "I 
 hear the rumble of the joy wagon coming my way."
 
 3 o6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 " You surely look it," declared Douglas. " It's a mighty 
 fine thing to be happy. I am especially thinking that, be- 
 cause it looks like this last batch you brought me has a bad 
 dose in it for a man I know. He won't be happy when he 
 sees his name in letters an inch high on the front page of 
 the Herald." 
 
 "No, he won't," agreed Mickey, his face dulling. 
 "That comes in my line. I've seen men forced to take it 
 right on the cars. Open a paper, slide down, turn white, 
 shiver, then take a brace and try to sit up and look like 
 they didn't care, when you could see it was all up with 
 them. Gee, it's tough ! I wish we were in other business." 
 
 "But what about the men who work hard for their 
 money, not to mince matters, that these men you are 
 pitying steal?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Yes, I know," said Mickey. " But there's a big bunch 
 of taxpayers, so it doesn't hit any one so hard. It's tough 
 on them, but honest, Mr. Bruce, it ain't as tough to lose 
 your coin as it is to lose your glad face. You can earn 
 more money or slide along without so much; but once you 
 get the slick, shamed look on your show window, you 
 can't ever wash it off. Since your face is what your 
 friends know you by, it's an awful pity to spoil it." 
 
 "That's so too, Mickey," laughed Bruce, "but keep 
 this clearly in your mind. I'm not spoiling any one's face. 
 If any man loses his right to look his neighbour frankly in 
 the eye, from the job we're on, it is his fault, not ours. If 
 men have lived straight we can't find defalcations in their 
 books, can we?" 
 
 "Nope," agreed Mickey. "Just the same I wish we
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 307 
 
 were plowing corn, 'stead of looking for them. That 
 plowing job is awful nice. I watched a man the other day, 
 the grandest big bunch of bone and muscle, driving a team 
 it took a gladiator to handle. First time I ever saw it 
 done at close range and it got me. He looked like a man 
 you'd want to tie to and stick 'til the war is over. If he 
 ever has a case he is going to bring it to you. But where 
 he'll get a case out there ten miles from anybody, with the 
 bluest sky you ever saw over his head, and black fields 
 under his feet, and clover and cows on one side, and sheep 
 and meadows on the other, I can't see. Yes, I wish we 
 were plowing for corn 'stead of trouble." 
 
 "You little dunce," laughed Douglas. "We'd make a 
 fortune plowing corn." 
 
 "What's the difference how much you make if some- 
 thing black keeps ki-yi-ing at your heels 'bout how you 
 make it ? " asked Mickey. 
 
 "There's a good strong kick in my heels, and the 'ki-yi- 
 ing' is for the feet of the man I'm after." 
 
 "Yes, I know," said Mickey, "but 'fore we get through 
 with this I just got a hunch that you'll wish we had been 
 plowing corn, too." 
 
 "What makes you so sure, Mickey?" said Douglas. 
 
 "Oh things I hear men say when I get the books keep 
 me thinking," replied Mickey. 
 
 "What things?" queried Douglas. 
 
 "Oh about who's going to get the axe next!" said 
 Mickey. 
 
 "But what of that?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Why it might be somebody you know!" he ^ried.
 
 3 o8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "When you find these wrong entries you can't tell who 
 made them." 
 
 "I know that the man who made them deserves what 
 he gets," said Douglas. 
 
 "Yes, I guess he does," agreed Mickey. "Well go on! 
 But when I grow up I'm going to plow corn." 
 
 "What about the poetry?" queried Douglas. 
 
 "They go together fine," explained Mickey. "When 
 the book is finished, I'd like clover on the cover better 
 than the cow; but if Lily wants the live stock it goes!" 
 
 "Of course," assented Douglas. "But when she sees a 
 real cow she may change her mind." 
 
 " Right in style! Ladies do it often," conceded Mickey. 
 "I've seen them so changeful they couldn't tell when they 
 called a taxi where they wanted to be taken." 
 
 "Mickey, your observations on human nature would 
 make a better book than your poetry." 
 
 "Oh I don't know," said Mickey. "You see I ain't 
 really got at the poetry job yet. I have to be educated a 
 lot to do it right. What I do now I wouldn't show to 
 anybody else, it's just fooling for Lily. But I got an ad- 
 dress that gives me a look-in on the paper business if I 
 ever want it. I ain't got at the poetry yet, but I been on 
 the human-nature job from the start. When you go cold 
 and hungry if you don't know human nature why you 
 know\t, that's all!" 
 
 "You surely do," said Douglas. "Now let's hustle this 
 forenoon, and then you may have the remainder of the 
 day. I am going fishing." 
 
 "Thank you," said Mickey, "I hope you get a bass
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 309 
 
 as long as your arm, and I hope the man you are chas- 
 ing breaks his neck before you get him." 
 
 Mickey grinned at Douglas' laugh, and went racing 
 about his work, then he helped on his paper route until 
 four, when he hurried to his meeting with Nancy and 
 Peter. 
 
 "When everybody is so nice if you give them any show 
 at all, I can't understand where the grouchers get their 
 grouch," muttered Mickey, as he hopped from one toe to 
 the other and tried to select the car at the curb which 
 would be Peter's. 
 
 "Hey you!" presently called a voice from one of them. 
 Mickey sent a keen glance over a boy who had come up and 
 entered the car. 
 
 "Straw you!" retorted Mickey, landing on the curb in a 
 flying leap. 
 
 "Is your name Mickey?" inquired the boy. 
 
 "Yep. Is your father's name Peter?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "Yep. And mine is Peter too. So to avoid two 
 Peters I am Junior. Come on in 'til the folks come." 
 
 Formalities were over. Mickey laughed as he entered 
 the car and straightway began an investigation of its 
 machinery. Now any boy is proud to teach another 
 something he wants to know and does not, so by the time 
 the car was thoroughly explained any listener would have 
 thought them acquaintances from birth. 
 
 " Hurry ! " cried Junior when his parents came. " I want 
 to get home with Mickey. I want him to show me 
 
 "Don't you hurry your folks, Junior," said Mickey, 
 "I'll show you all right!"
 
 3 io MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Well it's about time I was seeing something." 
 
 "Sure it is," agreed Mickey. "Come on with me here, 
 and I'll show you what real boys are!" 
 
 "Say father, I'm coming you know," cried Junior. 
 "I'm tired poking in the country. Just look what being 
 in the city has made of Mickey." 
 
 "Yes, just look!" cried Mickey, waving both hands 
 and bracing on feet wide apart. "Do look! Your age 
 or more, and about half your beefsteak and bone." 
 
 "But you got muscle. I bet I couldn't throw 
 you!" 
 
 "I bet you couldn't either," retorted Mickey, "'cause 
 I survived Multiopolis by being Johnny not on the spot! 
 I've dodged for my life and my living since I can remem- 
 ber. I'm champeen on that. But you come on with me, 
 and I'll get you a job and let you try yourself." 
 
 "I'm coming," said Junior. Then remembering he was 
 not independent he turned to his mother. "Can't I take 
 a job and work here ? " 
 
 Mrs. Harding braced herself and succumbed to habit. 
 "That will be as your father says." 
 
 Junior turned toward his father, doubt in his eye, to 
 receive a shock. There was not a trace of surprise or dis- 
 approval on the face of Peter. 
 
 "Now maybe that would be the best way in the world 
 for you to help me out," he said. "You see me through 
 planting and harvest and then I'll arrange to spare you, 
 and you can see how you like it till fall. But of course 
 you are too young yet to give up school. I don't agree to 
 interrupting your education. I don't want the kind of a
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 311 
 
 numbskull on my hands who thinks Christopher Colum- 
 bus signed the Declaration of Independence." 
 
 Mrs. Harding entered the car. "Now Mickey/' she 
 said as she distributed parcels, "you sit up there with 
 Peter and show him the way, and we will go see if we want 
 to undertake the care of your little girl for a week/* 
 
 "Drop the anchor, furl the sail, right here," directed 
 Mickey when they reached Sunrise Alley. "You know I 
 told you dearest lady, about how scared my little girl is, 
 having seen so few folks and not expecting you; so I'll have 
 to ask you to wait a few minutes 'til I go up and get her 
 used to your being here and then I'll have to sort of work 
 her up to you one at a time. I 'spect you can't hardly 
 believe that there's anything in all the world so small, and 
 so white, that's lived to have the brains she has, and yet 
 hasn't seen the streets of this city but for a short ride on a 
 street-car twice in her life, and for all I know hasn't talked 
 to half a dozen people. She may take you for a bear, 
 Peter; you will be quiet and easy, won't you?" 
 
 "Why Mickey," said Peter, "why of course son!" 
 
 Mickey bounded up the stairs and swung wide his door. 
 Again the awful heat hit him in the face. He swallowed 
 a mouthful, hastily shutting the door. "It's hard on 
 Lily," was his mental comment, "but I guess I'll just 
 save that for Mr. and Mrs. Peter. I think a few gulps of 
 it will do them good; it will show them better than talk- 
 ing why, once she's out of it, she shouldn't come back 'til 
 cold weather at least, if at all. Yes I guess ! " 
 j< "Most baked honey?" he asked, taking her hot hands. 
 
 "Mickey, 'tain't near six," she panted.
 
 3 i2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "No it's two hours early," said Mickey. "But you 
 know Flowersy-girl, I'm going to take care of you. Now 
 it's getting too hot for you here. Don't you remember 
 what I told you last night ? " 
 
 "'Bout laying on the grass an* the clover flowers?" 
 
 "Exactly yes!" said Mickey. "'Fore we melt let's roll 
 up in this sheet and go, Lily! What do you say?" 
 
 "Has has the red-berry folks come?" she cried. 
 
 "They're downstairs, Lily. They're waiting." 
 
 Peaches began climbing into his arms. 
 
 "Mickey, Mickey-lovest, hold me tight," she panted. 
 "Mickey, I'm scart just God-damned!" 
 
 "Wope! Wope lady! None of that!" cried Mickey 
 aghast. "The place where you're going there's a nice 
 little girl that never said such a word in all her life, and 
 if she did her mammy would wash the badness out of her 
 mouth with soap, just like I'll have to wash out yours, if 
 you don't watch. You can't go in the big car, being held 
 tight by me, else you promise cross your heart never, not 
 never to say that again." 
 
 "Mickey, will soapin' take it out?" wailed Peaches. 
 
 "Well my mammy took it out of me that way!" 
 
 "Mickey get the soap, an* wash, an* scour it all out 
 now, so's I can't ever. Mickey, quick before the nice lady 
 comes that has flower fields, an' red berries, an' honey 
 'lasses. Mickey, hurry!" 
 
 "Oh you fool little sweet kid," he half laughed, half 
 sobbed. "You fool little precious child-kid I can't! 
 There's a better way. I'll just put on a kiss so tight that 
 no bad swearin's wilJ ever pop out past it. There, like
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 313 
 
 that! Now you won't ever say one 'fore the nice little 
 girl, and when I want you not to so bad, will you?" 
 
 "Not never Mickey! Not never, never, never!" 
 
 "The folks can't wait any longer," said Mickey. "Here 
 quick, I'll wash your face and comb you, and get a clean 
 nightie on you, and your sweetest ribbon." 
 
 "Then it's pink," declared Peaches decidedly, "an' 
 Mickey, make me a pretty girl, so's the nice lady will like 
 me to drink her milk." 
 
 " Greedy ! " said Mickey. " How can I make you pretty 
 when the Lord didn't!" 
 
 "Ain't I pretty any at all?" queried Peaches. 
 
 "Mebby you would be if you'd fatten up a little," said 
 Mickey judicially. "Can't anybody be pretty that's got 
 bones sticking out all over them." 
 
 "Mickey, is the girl where we are going pretty?" 
 
 "I don't know," said Mickey. "I haven't seen her. 
 She's a fine little girl, for she's at home taking care of 
 her baby brother so's that her mammy can come and see 
 if you are nice enough to go to her house and not spoil her 
 children. See?" 
 
 Peaches nodded comprehendingly. 
 
 "Mickey, I won't again!" she insisted. "I said not 
 never, never, never. Didn't you hear me ? " 
 
 "Yes I heard you," said Mickey, applying the wash- 
 cloth, slipping on a fresh nightdress, brushing curls, and 
 tying the ribbon with fingers shaking with excitement and 
 haste. "Yes I heard you, but that stuff seems to come 
 awful easy, Miss. You got to be careful no end. Now, 
 I'm going to bring them. You just keep still and smile
 
 3 i6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 vanced, gazing at the child unconsciously gasping the 
 stifling air. She took one hurried glance at the room in its 
 scrupulous bareness, with waves of heat from miles of 
 city roof pouring in the open window, and bent over 
 Peaches. 
 
 "Won't you come out of this awful heat quickly, and let 
 us carry you away to a cool, shady place? Dear little 
 girl, don't you want to come?" she questioned. 
 
 "Is Mickey coming too?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Of course Mickey is coming too!" said the lady. 
 
 "Will he hold me?" 
 
 "He will if you want him to," said Mrs. Harding, "but 
 Peter is so much bigger, it wouldn't tire him a mite." 
 
 Mickey shifted on his feet and gazed at Peaches; as her 
 eyes sought his, the message he telegraphed her was so 
 plain that she caught it right. 
 
 " Mickey is just awful strong," she said. "I'll go if he'll 
 hold me. But I want to see Peter! I like Peter!" 
 
 "Why you darling!" cried the nice lady. 
 
 "And I like Junior, that Mickey told me about, and 
 your nice little girl that I mustn't ever, never, never say 
 no sw " 
 
 Mickey promptly applied the flat of his hand to the lips 
 of the astonished child. 
 
 "And you like the little girl and the fat toddly baby " 
 
 he prompted. 
 
 "Yes," agreed Peaches enthusiastically, twisting away 
 her head, "and I like the milk and the meat gee, I like 
 the meaty only Mickey wouldn't give me but a tiny speck 
 'til he asked the Sunshine Nurse Lady."
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 31; 
 
 "You blessed child!" cried Nancy Harding. "Call 
 Peter quickly!" 
 
 Mickey opened the door swiftly, he was still conserving, 
 heat, and signalled Peter and Junior. 
 
 "She likes you. She asked for you. You can both 
 come at once," he announced, holding the door at a narrow 
 crack until they reached it, both red faced, dripping, and 
 fanning with their hats. Peter gasped for air. 
 
 "My God! Has any living child been cooped in this 
 all day?" he roared. "Get her out! Get her out quick I 
 Get her out first and talk afterward. This will give her 
 this will give her scarlet fever!" 
 
 A shrill shout came from behind the intervening lady 
 who arose and stepped back as Peaches raised to her elbow, 
 and stretched a shaking hand toward Peter. 
 
 "Gee, Peter! You get your mouth soaped out first!"' 
 she cried. "Gee, Peter! I like you, Peter!" 
 
 Peter bent over her and then stooping to her level 
 he explored her with astonished eyes, as he cried: 
 "Why child, you ain't big enough for an exclamation 
 point!" 
 
 Peaches didn't know what an exclamation point was, 
 but Mickey did. His laugh brought him again into her 
 thought. 
 
 "Mickey, let's beat it! Take me quick!" she panted. 
 "Take me first and talk afterward. Mickey, we just love 
 these nice people, let's go drink their milk, and eat their 
 red berries." 
 
 "Well Miss Chicken!" said Mickey turning a dull red. 
 
 The Harding family were laughing.
 
 3i8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "All right, everybody move," said Peter. "What do 
 you want to take with you Mickey?" 
 
 "That basket there," he said. "And that box, you 
 take that Junior, and you take the Precious Child, and 
 the slate and the books dearest lady and I'll take my 
 family; but I ain't so sure about this, lady. She's sweaty 
 now, and riding is the coolingest thing you can do. We 
 mustn't make her sick. She must be well wrapped." 
 
 "Why she couldn't take cold to-day " began Peter. 
 
 "You and Junior shoulder your loads and go right down 
 to the car," said Mrs. Harding. "Mickey and I will man- 
 age this. He is exactly right about it. To be taken from 
 such heat to the conditions of motoring might " 
 
 "Sure!" interposed Mickey, dreading the next word for 
 the memories it would awaken in the child's heart. "Sure! 
 You two go ahead ! We'll come in no time ! " 
 
 " But I'm not going to lug a basket and have a little chap 
 like you carrying a child. You take this and I'll take the 
 baby!" 
 
 Mickey's wireless went into instant action so Peaches 
 promptly rebelled. 
 
 "I ain't no baby!" she said. "Miss Leslie Moonshine 
 Lady sent me her hair ribbons and I 'spect she's been cry- 
 ing for them back every day; and my name what granny 
 named me is Peaches, so there!" 
 
 "Corrected! Beg pardon!" said Peter. "Miss Peaches, 
 may I have the honour of carrying you to the car?" 
 
 "Nope," said Peaches with finality. "Nobody, not 
 nobody whatever, not the biggest, millyingairest nobody 
 alive can't ever carry me, nelse Mickey says they can, and
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 319 
 
 he is away off on the cars. I like you Peter! I just like 
 you heaps; but I'm Mickey's, so I got to do what he says 
 'cause he makes me, jes like he ort, and nobody can't ever, 
 not ever tend me like Mickey." 
 
 "So that's the ticket!" mused Peter. 
 
 "Yes, that's the ticket," repeated Peaches. "I ain't 
 heavy. Mickey carried me up, down is easier." 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "7 take my own family. You 
 take yours. We'll be there in a minute." 
 
 Peter and Junior disappeared with thankfulness and 
 speed. Mrs. Harding and Mickey wrapped Peaches in 
 the sheet and took along a comfort for shelter from the 
 air stirred by motion. Steadying his arm, which he wished 
 she would not, they descended. Did she think he wanted 
 Peaches to suppose he couldn't carry her? He ran down 
 the last flight to show her, frightening her into protest, and 
 had the reward of a giggle against his neck and the tighten- 
 ing of small arms clinging to him. He settled in the car 
 and without heeding Peter, wrapped Lily in the comfort 
 until she had only a small peep of daylight. 
 
 Mickey knew from Peaches' laboured breathing and the 
 grip of her hands how agitated she was; but as the car 
 glided smoothly along, driven skilfully by mentality, 
 guided by the controlling thought of a tiny lame back, she 
 became easier and clutched less frantically. He kept the 
 comfort over her head. She had enough to make the 
 change, to see so many strangers all at once, without being 
 excited by having her attention called to unfamiliar things 
 that would bewilder and positively frighten her. 
 
 Mickey stoutly clung to a load that soon grew noticeably
 
 320 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 heavy; while over and over he repeated in his heart with 
 fortifying intent: "She is my family, I'll take care of her. 
 I'll let them keep her a while because it is too hot for her 
 there, but they shan't boss her, and they got to know it 
 first off, and they shan't take her from me, and they got 
 to understand it." 
 
 Right at that point Mickey's grip tightened until the 
 child in his arms shivered with delight of being so enfolded 
 in her old and only security. She turned her head to work 
 her face level with the comfort and whisper in chortling, 
 glee: "Mickey, we are going just stylish like millyingaire 
 folks, ain't we?" 
 
 "You just bet we are!" he whispered back. 
 
 "Mickey, you wouldn't let them 'get' me, would you?'* 
 
 "Not on your life!" said Mickey, gripping her closer. 
 
 "And Peter wouldn't let them 'get' me?" 
 
 "No, Peter would just wipe them clear off the slate if 
 they tried to get you," comforted Mickey. "We're in the 
 country now Lily. Nobody will even think of you away 
 out here." 
 
 "Mickey, I want to see the country!" said Peaches. 
 
 "No Miss! I'm scared now," replied Mickey. "It was 
 awful hot there and it's lots cooler here, even slow and care- 
 ful as Peter is driving. If you get all excitement, and rear- 
 ing around, and take a chill, and your back gets worse, just 
 when we have such a grand good chance to make it better 
 you duck and lay low, and if you're good, and going out 
 doesn't make you sick, after supper when you rest up, 
 maybe I'll let you have a little peepy yellow chicken in 
 your hand to hold a minute, and maybe I'll let you see a
 
 A SAFE PROPOSITION 321 
 
 cow. I guess you'd give a good deal to see the cow that's 
 going on your book, wouldn't you?" 
 
 Peaches snuggled down in pure content and proved her 
 femininity as she did every day. "Yes. But when I see 
 them, maybe l\\ like a chicken better, and put it on." 
 
 "All right with me," agreed Mickey. "You just hold 
 still so this doesn't make you sick, and to-morrow you 
 can see things when you are all nice and rested." 
 
 "Mickey," she whispered. 
 
 Mickey bent and what he heard buried his face against 
 Peaches' a second and when lifted it radiated a shining- 
 glory-light, for she had whispered: "Mickey, I'm going 
 to always mind you and love you best of anybody." 
 
 Because she had expected the trip to result in the bring- 
 ing home of the child, Mrs. Harding had made ready a low 
 folding davenport in her first-floor bedroom, beside a 
 window where grass, birds and trees were almost in touch, 
 and where it would be convenient to watch and care for 
 her visitor. There in the light, pretty room, Mickey 
 gently laid Peaches down and said: "Now if you'll just 
 give me time to get her rested and settled a little, you can. 
 see her a peep; but there ain't going to be much seeing or 
 talking to-night. If she has such a lot she ain't used to 
 and gets sick, it will be a bad thing for her, and all of us, 
 so we better just go slow and easy." 
 
 "Right you are, young man," said Peter. "Come out 
 of here you kids ! Come to the back yard and play quietly. 
 When Little White Butterfly gets rested and fed, we'll 
 come one at a time and kiss her hand, and wish her pleas- 
 ant dreams with us, and then we'll every one of us get
 
 322 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 down on our knees and ask God to help us take such good 
 care of her that she will get well at our house. I can't 
 think of anything right now that would make me prouder." 
 
 Mickey suddenly turned his back on them and tried 
 to swallow the lump in his throat. Then he arranged his 
 family so it was not in a draft, sponged and fed it, and 
 failed in the remainder of his promise, because it went to 
 sleep with the last bite and lay in deep exhaustion. So 
 Mickey smoothed the sheet, slipped off the ribbon, brushed 
 back the curls, shaded the light, marshalled them in on 
 tiptoe, and with anxious heart studied their compassionate 
 faces. 
 
 Then he telephoned Douglas Bruce to ask permission to 
 be away from the office the following day, and ventured as 
 far from the house as he felt he dared with Junior; but 
 so anxious was he that he kept in sight of the window. 
 And so manly and tender was his scrupulous care, so tiny 
 and delicate his small charge as she lay waxen, lightly 
 breathing to show she really lived, that in the hearts of the 
 Harding family grew a deep respect for Mickey, and such 
 was their trust in him, that when he folded his comfort and 
 stretched it on the floor beside the child, not even to each 
 ether did they think of uttering an objection. So Peaches 
 spent her first night in the country breathing clover air, 
 watched constantly by her staunch protector, and carried 
 to the foot of the Throne on the lips of one entire family; 
 for even Bobbie was told to add to his prayer: "God bless 
 the little sick girl, and make her well at our house."
 
 M 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 
 
 ' r ARGARET, I want a few words with you some 
 time soon," said James Minturn to his sister. 
 "Why not right]now?" she proposed. "I'm 
 not busy and for days I've known you were in trouble. 
 Tell me at once, and possibly I can help you." 
 
 "You would deserve my gratitude if you could," he 
 said. "I've suffered until I'm reduced to the extremity 
 that drives me to put into words the thing I have thrashed 
 over in my heart day and night for weeks." 
 
 "Come to my room James," she said. 
 
 James Minturn followed his sister. 
 
 "Now go on and tell me, boy," she ordered. "Of course 
 it's about Nellie." 
 
 "Yes it's about Nellie," he repeated. "Did you hear 
 any part of what that very charming young lady had to 
 say to me at our chosen playground, not long ago ? " 
 
 "Yes I did," answered Mrs. Winslow. "But not 
 enough to comprehend thoroughly. Did she convince 
 you that you are mistaken ? " 
 
 "No. But this she did do," said Mr. Minturn. "She 
 battered the walls of what I had believed to be unalter- 
 able decision, until she made this opening: I must go 
 into our affairs again. I have got to find out where my 
 
 323
 
 324 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 \vife is, and what she is doing; and if the things Miss Leslie 
 thinks are true. Margaret, I thought it was settled. I was 
 happy, in a way; actually happy! No Biblical miracle ever 
 seemed to me half so wonderful as the change in the boys." 
 
 "The difference in them is quite as much of a marvel 
 as you think it," agreed Mrs. Winslow. 
 
 "It is greater than I would have thought possible in 
 any circumstances," said Mr. Minturn. "Do they ever 
 mention their mother to you?" 
 
 "Incidentally," she replied, "just as they do maids, 
 footman or governess, in referring to their past life. They 
 never ask for her, in the sense of wanting her, that I know 
 of. Malcolm resembles her in appearance and any one 
 could see that she liked him best. She always discrim- 
 inated against James in his favour if any question be- 
 tween them were ever carried to her." 
 
 "Malcolm is like her in more than looks. He has her 
 musical ability in a marked degree," said Mr. Minturn. 
 "I have none, but Miss Winton suggested a thing to me 
 that Mr. Tower has been able to work up some, and while 
 both boys are deeply interested, it's Malcolm who is be- 
 ginning to slip away alone and listen to and practise bird 
 cries until he deceives the birds themselves. Yesterday 
 he called a catbird to within a few feet of him, by repro- 
 ducing the notes as uttered and inflected by the female." 
 
 *T know. It was a triumph! He told me about it." 
 
 "James is well named," said Mr. Minturn. "He is my 
 boy. Already he's beginning to ask questions that are 
 filled with intelligence, solicitude and interest about my 
 business, what things mean, what I am doing, and why.
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 325 
 
 He's going to make the man who will come into my office, 
 who in a few more years will be offering his shoulder for 
 part of my load. You can't understand what the change 
 is from the old attitude of regarding me as worth no con- 
 sideration; not even a gentleman, as my wife's servants 
 were teaching my sons to think. Margaret, how am I 
 going back even to the thought that I may be making 
 a mistake? Wouldn't the unpardonable error be to again 
 risk those boys an hour in the company and influence 
 which brought them once to what they were?" 
 
 "You poor soul!" exclaimed Mrs. Winslow. 
 
 "Never mind that!" warned Mr. Minturn. "I'm not 
 accustomed to it, and it doesn't help. Have you any 
 faith in Nellie?" 
 
 "None whatever!" exclaimed Mrs. Winslow. "She's 
 so selfish it's simply fiendish. I'd as soon bury you as to 
 see you subject to her again." 
 
 "And Fd much sooner be buried, were it not that my 
 heart is set on winning out with those boys," said Mr. 
 Minturn. "There is material for fine men in them, but 
 there is also depravity that would shock you inexpres- 
 sibly, instilled by ignorant, malicious servants. I wish 
 Leslie Winton had kept quiet." 
 
 "And so do I!" agreed Mrs. Winslow. "I could 
 scarcely endure it, as I realized what was going on. While 
 Nellie had you, there was no indignity, no public humilia- 
 tion at which she stopped. For my own satisfaction I ex- 
 amined Elizabeth before she was laid away, and I held 
 my tongue because I thought you didn't know. When 
 did you find out?"
 
 326 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "A newsboy told me. He went with a woman who was 
 in the park where it happened, to tell Nellie, but they were 
 insulted for their pains. Some way my best friend Doug- 
 las Bruce picked him up and attached him, as I did Wil- 
 liam; it was at my suggestion. Of course I couldn't 
 imagine that out of several thousand newsies Douglas 
 would select the one who knew my secret and who daily 
 blasts me with his scorn. If he runs into an elevator 
 where I am, the whistle dies on his lips; his smile fades 
 and he actually shrinks from my presence. You can't 
 blame him. A man should be able to protect the children he 
 fathers. What he said to me stunned me so, he thought 
 me indifferent. In my place, would you stop him some 
 day and explain?" 
 
 "I most certainly would," said Mrs. Winslow. "A 
 child's scorn is withering, and you don't deserve it." 
 
 "I have often wondered what or how much he told 
 Bruce," said Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Could you detect any change in Mr. Bruce after the 
 boy came into his office?" asked Mrs. Winslow. 
 
 "Only that he was kinder and friendlier than ever." 
 
 "That probably means that the boy told him and that 
 Mr. Bruce understood and was sorry." 
 
 "No doubt," he said. "You'd talk to the boy then? 
 Now what would you do about Nellie?" 
 
 "What was it Miss Winton thought you should do?" 
 
 "See Nellie! Take her back!" he exclaimed. "Give 
 her further opportunity to exercise her brand of wifehood 
 on me and motherhood on the boys!" 
 
 "James, if you do, I'll never forgive you!" cried his
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 327 
 
 sister. "If you tear up this comfortable, healthful place, 
 where you are the honoured head of your house, and put 
 your boys back where you found them, I'll go home and 
 stay there; and you can't blame me." 
 
 "Miss Winton didn't ask me to go back," he explained; 
 "that couldn't be done. I saw and examined the deed of 
 gift of the premises to the city. The only thing she could 
 do would be to buy it back, and it's torn up inside, and will 
 be in shape for opening any day now, I hear. The city 
 needed a Children's Hospital; to get a place like that free, 
 in so beautiful and convenient a location and her old 
 friends are furious at her for bringing sickness and crooked 
 bodies among them. No doubt they would welcome 
 her there, but they wouldn't welcome her anywhere else. 
 She must have endowed it liberally, no hospital in the city 
 has a staff of the strength announced for it." 
 
 "James, you are wandering!" she interrupted. "You 
 started to tell me what Miss Winton asked of you." 
 
 "That I bring Nellie here," he explained. "That I 
 make her mistress of this house. That I put myself and 
 the boys in her hands again." 
 
 "Oh good Lord!" ejaculated Mrs. Winslow. "James, 
 are you actually thinking of that ? Mind, I don't care for 
 myself. I have a home and all I want. But for you 
 and those boys, are you really contemplating it?" 
 
 "No!" he said. "All I'm thinking of is whether it is 
 my duty to hunt her up and once more convince myself 
 that she is heartless vanity personified, and utterly indif- 
 ferent to me personally, as I am to her." 
 
 "Suppose you do go to her and find that through pique,
 
 328 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 because you made the move for separation yourself, she 
 wants to try it over, or to get the boys again she's got 
 a mint of money. Do you know just how much she 
 has?" 
 
 "I do not, and I never did," he replied. "Her funds 
 never in any part were in my hands. I felt capable of 
 making all I needed myself, and I have. I earn as much 
 as it is right I should have; but she'd scorn my plan for 
 life and what satisfies me; and she'd think the boys dis- 
 graced, living as they are." 
 
 "James, was there an hour, even in your honeymoon, 
 when Nellie forgot herself and was a lovable woman?" 
 
 "It is painful to recall, but yes! Yes indeed!" he an- 
 swered. "Never did a man marry with higher hope!" 
 
 "Then what ?" marvelled Mrs. Winslow. 
 
 "Primarily, her mother, then her society friends, then 
 the power of her money," he answered. 
 
 "Just how did it happen?" she queried. 
 
 "It began with Mrs. Blondon's violent opposition to 
 children; when she knew a child was coming she practically 
 moved in with us, and spent hours pitying her daughter, 
 sending for a doctor at each inevitable consequence, keep- 
 ing up an exciting rush of friends coming when the girl 
 should have had quiet and rest, treating me with con- 
 tempt, and daily holding me up as the monster respon- 
 sible for all these things. The result was nervousness and 
 discontent bred by such a course at such a time, until it 
 amounted to actual pain, and lastly unlimited money 
 with which to indulge every fancy. 
 
 "In such circumstances deliver}- became the horror they
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 329 
 
 made of it, although several of the doctors told me pri- 
 vately not to have the slightest alarm; it was simply the 
 method of rich selfish women to make such a bugbear of 
 childbirth a v/ife might well be excused for refusing to 
 endure it. Sifted to the bottom that was exactly what 
 it was. I didn't know until the birth of James that they 
 had neglected to follow the instructions of their doctors 
 and made no preparation for nursing the child; as a result, 
 when I insisted that it must be done, shrieks of pain, pain- 
 ful enough as I could see, resulted in a nervous chill for the 
 mother, more inhumanity in me, and the boy was turned 
 over to a hired woman with his first breath and to begin un- 
 natural life. I watched the little chap all I could; he was 
 strong and healthy, and while skilled nurses were available 
 he upset every rule by thriving; which was one more count 
 against me, and the lesson pointed out and driven home 
 that no young wife could give a child such attention, so the 
 baby was better off in the hands of the nurse. That he 
 was reared without love, that his mother took not an iota 
 of responsibility in his care, developed not a trait of mother- 
 hood, simply went on being a society belle, had nothing to 
 do with it. 
 
 "He did so well, Nellie escaped so much better t^han 
 many of her friends, that in time she seemed to forget it 
 and didn't rebel at Malcolm's advent, or Elizabeth's, but 
 by that time I had been practically ostracized from the 
 nursery; governesses were empowered to flout and insult 
 me; I scarcely saw my children, and what I did see made 
 me furious, so I vetoed more orphans bearing my name, 
 and gave up doing anything. Then came the tragedy of
 
 330 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Elizabeth. Surely you understand 'just how' it was done 
 Margaret?" 
 
 "Of course I had an idea, but I never before got just the 
 perfect picture, and now I have it, though it's the last 
 word I want to say to you, God made me so that I'm forced 
 to say it, although it furnishes one more example of what is 
 called inconsistency." 
 
 "Be careful what you say, Margaret!" 
 
 "I must say it," she replied. "I've encouraged you to 
 talk in detail, because I wanted to be sure I was right in the 
 position I was taking; but you've given me a different 
 viewpoint. Why James, think it over yourself in the light 
 of what you j.ust have told me. Nellie never has been a 
 mother at all! Her heart is more barren than that of a 
 woman to whom motherhood is physical impossibility, yet 
 whose heart aches with maternal instinct!" 
 
 "Margaret!" cried James Minturn. 
 
 "James, it's true!" she persisted. "I never have under- 
 stood. For fear of that, I led you on and now look what 
 you've told me. Nellie never had a chance at natural 
 motherhood. The thing called society made a foolish 
 mother to begin with, while she in turn ruined her daugh- 
 ter, and if Elizabeth had lived it would have been passed 
 on to her. You throw a new light on Nellie. As long as 
 she was herself, she was tender and loving, and you adored 
 her; if you had been alone and moderately circumstanced, 
 she w r ould have continued being so lovable that after ten 
 years your face flushes with painful memory as you speak 
 of it. I've always thought her abandoned as to wifely and 
 motherly instinct. What you say proves she was a lov-
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 33 i 
 
 able girl, ruined by society, through the medium of her 
 mother and friends." 
 
 ^"If she cared for me as she said, she should have been 
 enough of a woman " began Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Maybe she should, but you must take into considera- 
 tion that she was not herself when the trouble began; she 
 was, as are all women, even those most delighted over the 
 prospect, in an unnatural condition, in so far that usual 
 conditions were unusual, and probably made her ill, ner- 
 vous, apprehensive, not herself at all." 
 
 "Do you mean to say that you are changing?" 
 -"Worse than that!" she said emphatically. "I have 
 positively and permanently changed. Even at your ex- 
 pense I will do Nellie justice. James, your grievance is 
 not against your wife; it is against the mother who bore 
 her, the society that moulded her." 
 
 "She should have been woman enough " he began. 
 
 "Left alone, she was!" insisted Mrs. Winslow. "With 
 the ills and apprehensions of motherhood upon her, she 
 yielded as most young, inexperienced women would yield 
 to what came under the guise of tender solicitude, and no 
 doubt eased or banished pain, which all of us avoid when 
 possible; and the pain connected with motherhood is a 
 thing in awe of which the most practised physicians admit 
 themselves almost stunned. The woman who would put 
 aside pampering and stoically endure what money and 
 friends could alleviate is rare. Jim, pain or no pain to 
 you, you must find your wife and learn for yourself if she is 
 heartless; or whether in some miraculous way some one has 
 proved to her what you have made plain as possible to me.
 
 332 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 You must hunt her up, and if she is still under her mother's 
 and society's influence, and refuses to change, let her re- 
 main. But but if she has changed, as you have just seen 
 me change, then you should give her another chance if she 
 asks it." 
 
 "I can't! "he cried. 
 
 "You must! The evidence is in her favour." 
 
 "What do you mean?" he demanded impatiently. 
 
 "Her acquiescence in your right to take the boys and 
 alter their method of life; her agreement that for their 
 sakes you might do as you chose with no interference from 
 her; both those are the acknowledgment of failure on her 
 part and willingness for you to repair the damages if you 
 can," she explained. " Her gift of a residence, the furnish- 
 ings of which would have paid for the slight alterations 
 necessary to transform a modern home into the most 
 beautiful of modern hospitals, in a wonderfully lovely lo- 
 cation, and leave enough to start it with as fine a staff as 
 money can provide that gift is a deliberately planned 
 effort at reparation; the limiting of patients to children 
 under ten is her heart trying to tell yours that she would 
 atone." 
 
 "O Lord!" cried James Mintum. 
 
 "Yes I know," said Mrs. Winslow. "Call en Him! 
 You need Him! There is no question but that He put 
 into her head the idea of setting a home for the healing of 
 little children, in the most exclusive residence district of 
 Multiopolis, where women of millions are forced to see it 
 every time they look from a window or step from then 
 door. Have you seen it yourself, James?"
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 333 
 
 "Naturally I wouldn't haunt the location.'* 
 
 "I would, and I did!" said Mrs. Winslow. "A few 
 days ago I went over it from basement to garret. You go 
 and see it. And I recall now that her lawyer was there, 
 with sheets of paper in his hand, talking with workmen. 
 I think he's working for Nellie and that she is probably 
 directing the changes and personally evolving a big, white, 
 shining reparation." 
 
 "It's a late date to talk about reparation," he said. 
 
 "Which simply drives me to the truism, 'better late 
 than never!' and to the addition of the comment that 
 Nellie is only thirty and that but ten years of your lives 
 have been wasted; if you hurry and save the remainder, 
 you should have fifty apiece coming to you, if you breathe 
 deep, sleep cool, and dine sensibly," said Mrs. Winslow. 
 
 She walked out of the room and closed the door. James 
 Minturn sat thinking a long time, then called his car and 
 drove to Atwater alone. He found Leslie in the orchard, 
 a book of bird scores in her hands, and several sheets of 
 music beside her. Her greeting was so cordial, so frankly 
 sweet and womanly, he could scarcely endure it, because 
 his head was filled with thoughts of his wife. 
 
 "You are still at your bird study?" he asked. 
 
 "Yes. It's the most fascinating thing," she said. 
 
 " I know," he conceded. " I want the titles of the books 
 you're using. I mentioned it to Mr. Tower, our tutor, and 
 he was interested instantly, and far more capable of going 
 at it intelligently than. I am, because he has some musical 
 training. Ever since we talked it over he and the boys 
 have been at work in a crude way; you might be amused at
 
 334 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 their results, but to me they are wonderful. They began 
 hiding in bird haunts and listening, working on imitations 
 of cries and calls, and reproducing what they heard, until 
 in a few weeks' time why I don't even know their reper- 
 toire, but they can call quail, larks, owls, orioles, whip- 
 poor-wills, so perfectly they get answers. James will 
 never do anything worth while in music, he's too much like 
 me; but Malcolm is saving his money and working to buy a 
 violin; he's going to read a music score faster than he will a 
 book. I'm hunting an instructor for him who will start 
 his education on the subjects which interest him most. 
 Do you know any one Leslie?" 
 
 "No one who could do more than study with him. It's 
 a branch that is just being taken up, but I have talked of 
 it quite a bit with Mr. Dovesky, the harmony director of 
 the Conservatory. If you go to him and make him under- 
 stand what you want along every line, I think he'd take 
 Malcolm as a special student. I'd love to help him as far 
 as I've gone, but Fm only a beginner myself, and I've no 
 such ability as it is very possible he may have." 
 
 "He has it," said Mr. Minturn conclusively. "He has 
 his mother's fine ear and artistic perception. If she under- 
 took it, what a success she could make!" 
 
 "I never saw her so interested in anvthing as she was 
 that day at the tamarack swamp," said Leslie, "and her 
 heart was full of other matters too; but she recognized the 
 songs I took her to hear. She said she never had been so 
 attracted by a new idea in her whole life." 
 
 "Leslie, I came to you this morning about Nellie. I 
 promised you to think matters over, and I've done nothing
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 335 
 
 else since I last saw you, hateful as has been the occu- 
 pation. You're still sure of what you said about her 
 then?" 
 
 "Positively!" cried Leslie. 
 
 "Do you hear from her?" he asked. 
 
 "No," she answered. 
 
 "You spoke of a letter " he suggested. 
 
 "A note she wrote me before leaving," explained Leslie. 
 "You see I'd been with her all day and we had raced home 
 so joyously; and when things came out as they did, she 
 knew I wouldn't understand." 
 
 "Might I see it?" he asked. 
 
 "Surely," said Leslie. "I spoke of that the other day. 
 I'll bring it." 
 
 When Leslie returned James Minturn read the missive 
 several times; then he handed it back, saying: "What is 
 there in that Leslie, to prove your points?" 
 
 "Three things," said Leslie with conviction: "The 
 statement that for an hour after she reached her decision 
 she experienced real joy and expected to render the same to 
 you; the acknowledgment that she understood that you 
 didn't know what you were doing to her, in your reception 
 of her; and the final admission that life now held so little 
 for her that she would gladly end it, if she dared, without 
 making what reparation she could. What more do you 
 want ? " 
 
 "You're very cure you are drawing the right deduc- 
 tions?" he asked. 
 
 "I wish you would sit down and let me tell you of that 
 day/' said Leslie.
 
 336 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "I have come to you for help," said James Minturn. "I 
 would be more than glad, if you'd be so kind." 
 
 At the end: "I don't think I've missed a word," said 
 Leslie. "That day is and always will be sharply outlined." 
 
 "You've not heard from her since that note?" he asked. 
 "You don't know where she is?" 
 
 "No," said Leslie. " I haven't an idea where you could 
 find her; but because of her lawyer superintending the hos- 
 pital repairs, because of the wonderful way things are 
 being done, Daddy thinks it's sure that the work is in 
 John Haynes' hands, and that she is directing it through 
 him/' 
 
 "If it were not for the war, I would know," said Mr. 
 Minturn. "But understanding her as I do " 
 
 "I think instead of understanding her so well, you 
 scarcely know her at all," said Leslie gently. "You 
 may have had a few months of her real nature to begin 
 with, but when her rearing and environment ruled her life, 
 the real woman was either perverted or had small chance. 
 Do you ever stop to think what kind of a man you might 
 have been, if all your life you had been forced and influ- 
 enced as Nellie was?" 
 
 "Good Lord!" cried Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Exactly!" agreed Leslie. "That's what I'm telling 
 you! She had got to the realization of the fact that her 
 life had been husks and ashes; so she went to beg you to 
 help her to a better way, and you failed her. I'm not 
 saying it was your fault; I'm not saying I blame you; I'm 
 merely stating facts." 
 
 "Margaret blames me!" said Mr. Minturn. "She
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 337 
 
 thinks I'm enough at fault that I never can find happiness 
 until I locate Nellie and learn whether she is with her 
 mother and friends, or if she really meant what she said 
 about changing, enough to go ahead and be different from 
 principle." 
 
 "Her change was radical and permanent." 
 
 "I've got to know," said Mr. Minturn, "but I've no 
 faith in her ability to change, and no desire to meet her if 
 she has." 
 
 "Humph!" said Leslie. "That proves that you need 
 some changing yourself." 
 
 "I certainly do," said James Minturn. "If I could 
 have an operation on my brain which would remove that 
 particular cell in which is stored the memory of the past 
 ten years " 
 
 "You will when you see her," said Leslie, "and she'll 
 be your surgeon." 
 
 "Impossible!" he cried. 
 
 "Go find her," said Leslie. "You must to regain peace 
 for yourself." 
 
 James Minturn returned a troubled man, but with view- 
 point shifting so imperceptibly he did not realize what was 
 happening. On his way he decided to visit the hospital, 
 repugnant as the thought was to him. From afar he was 
 amazed at sight of the building. He knew instantly that 
 it must have been the leading topic of conversation among 
 his friends purposely avoided in his presence. Marble 
 pillars and decorations had been freshly cleaned, the build- 
 ing was snowdrift white; it shone through the branches of 
 big trees surrounding it like a fairy palace. At the top of
 
 338 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the steps leading to the entrance stood a marble group of 
 heroic proportions that was wonderful. It was a seated 
 figure of Christ, but cut with the face of a man of his sta- 
 tion, occupation, and race, garbed in simple robe, and in 
 his arms, at his knees, leaning against him, a group of 
 children: the lean, sick and ailing, such as were carried to 
 him for healing. Cut in the wall above it in large gold- 
 filled letters was the admonition: "Suffer little children 
 to come unto me/* 
 
 That group was the work of a student and a thinker 
 who could carry an idea to a logical conclusion, and then 
 carve it from marble. The thought it gave James Min- 
 turn, arrested before it, was not the stereotyped idea of 
 Christ, not the conventional reproduction of childhood. 
 It impressed on Mr. Minturn's brain that the man of 
 Galilee had lived in the form of other men of his day, and 
 that such a face, filled with infinite compassion, w r as 
 much stronger and more forceful than that of the mild 
 feminine countenance he had been accustomed to associ- 
 ating with the Saviour. 
 
 He entered the door to find his former home filled 
 with workmen, and the opening day almost at hand. 
 Everywhere was sanitary whiteness. The reception hall 
 was ready for guests, his library occupied by the ma- 
 tron; the dining-hall a storeroom, the second and third 
 floors in separate wards, save the big ballroom, now whiter 
 than ever, its touches of gold freshly gleaming, beautiful 
 flowers in tubs, canaries singing in a brass house filling one 
 end of the room, tiny chairs, cots, every conceivable form 
 of comfort and amusement for convalescing little children.
 
 ; AN ORPHANS* HOME 339 
 
 The pipe organ remained in place, music boxes and won- 
 derful mechanical toys had been added, rugs that had been 
 in the house were spread on the floor. No normal man 
 could study and interpret the intention of that place un- 
 moved. All over the building was the same beautiful 
 whiteness, the same comfort, and thoughtful preparation 
 for the purpose it was designed to fill. The operating 
 rooms were perfect, the whole the result of loving thought, 
 careful execution, and uncounted expense. 
 
 He came in time to the locked door of his wife's suite, 
 and before he left the building he met her lawyer. He 
 offered his hand and said heartily: "My sistei told me of 
 the wonderful work going on here; she advised me to 
 come and see for myself. I am very glad I did. There's 
 something bigger than the usual idea in this that keeps ob- 
 truding itself." 
 
 "I think that too," agreed John Haynes. "I've almost 
 quit my practice to work out these plans." 
 
 "They are my wife's, by any chance?" 
 
 "All hers," said Mr. Haynes. "I only carry out her in- 
 structions as they come to me." 
 
 "Will you give me her address?" asked Mr. Minturn. 
 "I should like to tell her how great I think this." 
 
 "I carry a packet for you that came with a bundle of 
 plans this morning," said Mr. Haynes. "Perhaps her 
 address is in it. If it isn't, I can't give it to you, because 
 I haven't it myself. She's not in the city, all her instruc- 
 tions she sends some one, possibly at her mother's home, 
 and they are delivered to me. I give my communications 
 to the boy who brings r her orders."
 
 340 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Then I'll write my note and you give it to him." 
 
 "I'm sorry Minturn," said Mr. Haynes, "but I have 
 my orders in the event you should wish to reach her 
 through me." 
 
 "She doesn't wish to hear from me?" 
 
 "I'm sorry no end, Mr. Minturn, but " 
 
 " Possibly this contains what I want to know," said Mr. 
 Minturn. "Thank you, and I congratulate you on your 
 work here. It is humane in the finest degree." 
 
 James Minturn went to his office and opened the packet. 
 It was a complete accounting of every dollar his w r ife 
 was worth, this divided exactly into thirds, one of which 
 she kept, one she transferred to him, and the other she 
 placed in his care for her sons to be equally divided be- 
 tween them at his discretion. He returned and found the 
 lawyer had gone to his office. He followed and showed 
 him the documents. 
 
 "What she places to my credit for our sons, that I will 
 handle with the utmost care," he said. "What she puts 
 at my personal disposal I do not accept. We are living 
 comfortably, and as expensively as I desire to. There is 
 no reason why I should take such a sum at her hands, even 
 though she has more than I would have estimated. You 
 will kindly return this deed of transfer to her, with my 
 thanks, and a note I will enclose." 
 
 "Sorry Minturn, but as I told you before, I haven't 
 her address. I'm working on a salary I should dislike to 
 forfeit, and my orders are distinct concerning you." 
 
 "You could give me no idea where to find her?" 
 
 "Not the slightest!" said the lawyer.
 
 AN ORPHANS' HOME 34 i 
 
 "Will you take charge of these papers?" he ques- 
 tioned. 
 
 "I dare not," replied Mr. Haynes. 
 
 "Will you ask her if you may?" persisted Mr. Min- 
 turn. 
 
 "Sorry Minturn, but perhaps if you should see my 
 instructions in the case, you'd understand better. I 
 don't wish you to think me disobliging." 
 
 Mr. Minturn took the sheet and read the indicated par- 
 agraph written in his wife's clear hand: 
 
 "Leslie Winton was very good to me my last day in Multiopolis. 
 She was with me when I reached a decision concerning my future rela- 
 tions with Mr. Minturn, as I would have arranged them; and I am 
 quite sure when she knows of our separation she will feel that it would 
 not have occurred had James known of this decision of mine. It would 
 have made no difference; but I am convinced Leslie will think it would, 
 and that she will go to James about it. I doubt if it will change his atti- 
 tude; but if by any possibility it should, and if in any event whatever he 
 comes to you seeking my address, or me, I depend on you to in no way 
 help him, if it should happen that you could. For this reason I am keep- 
 ing it out of your power, unless I make some misstep that points to 
 where I am. I don't wish to make any mystery of my location, or to 
 disregard any intention that it is barely possible Leslie could bring Mr. 
 Minturn to, concerning me. I merely wish to be left alone for a time; 
 to work out my own expiation, if there be any; and to test my soul until 
 I know for myself whether it is possible for a social leopard to change 
 her spots. I have got to know absolutely that I am beyond question 
 a woman fit to be a wife and mother, before I again trust myself in any 
 relation of life toward any one." 
 
 Mr. Minturn returned the sheet, his face deeply thought- 
 ful. "I see her point," he said. "I will deposit the 
 papers in a safety vault until she comes, and in accordance
 
 342 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 with this, I shall make no effort to find her. My wife 
 feels that she must work out her own salvation, and I 
 am beginning to realize that a thorough self-investigation 
 and revelation will not hurt me. Thank you. Good 
 morning."
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 A PARTICULAR Nix 
 
 PEACHES awakened early the following morning, 
 but Mickey was watching beside her to help her 
 remember, to prompt, to soothe, to comfort and 
 to teach. He followed Mrs. Harding to the kitchen and 
 from the prepared food selected what he thought came 
 closest filling the diet prescribed by the Sunshine Nurse, 
 and then he carried the tray to a fresh, cool Peaches beside 
 a window opening on a grassy, tree-covered lawn. Her 
 room was bewildering on account of its many, and to the 
 child, magnificent furnishings. She found herself stretch- 
 ing, twisting and filled with a wild desire to walk, to 
 see the house, the little girl and the real baby, the lawn 
 beyond her window, the flower-field, the red berries where 
 they grew, and the birds and animals from which came 
 the most amazing sounds. 
 
 After doing everything for Peaches he could, Mickey 
 went to his breakfast. Mary Harding and Bobbie were 
 so anxious to see the visitor they could scarcely eat. 
 Knowing it was no use to try forcing them, their mother 
 excused them and they ventured as far as the door. There 
 they stopped, gazing at the little stranger, while she 
 stared back at them; but she was not frightened, because 
 she knew who they were and that they would be good tc 
 
 343
 
 344 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 her, else Mickey would not let them come. So when Mary, 
 holding little brother's hand, came peeping around the 
 door-casing, Peaches withdrew her attention from explora- 
 tion of the strip of lawn in her range and concentrated on 
 them. If they had come bounding at her, she would have 
 been frightened, but they did not. They stood still, half 
 afraid, watching the tiny white creature, till suddenly she 
 smiled at them and held out her hand. 
 
 "I like you," she said. "Did you have red berries for 
 breakfus?" 
 
 Mary nodded and smiled back. 
 
 "I think you're a pretty little girl," said Peaches. 
 
 "I ain't half as pretty as you," said Mary. 
 
 "No a-course you ain't," she admitted. "Your family 
 don't put your ribbon on you 'til night, do they? Mickey 
 put mine on this morning 'cause I have to look nice and 
 be jus' as good, else I have to be took back to the hot room. 
 Do you have to be nice too?" 
 
 "Yes, I have to be a good girl," said Mary. 
 
 "What does your family do to you if you don't mind?" 
 
 "I ain't going to tell, but it makes me," said Mary. 
 "What does yours do to you?" 
 
 "I ain't going to tell either," said Peaches, "but I get 
 jus' as good! What's your name?" 
 
 "Mary." 
 
 "What's his?" 
 
 "Bobbie. Mostly we call him little brother. Ain't he 
 sweet?" asked Mary. 
 
 "Jus' a Precious Child! Let him mark on my slate." 
 
 Mickey hurried to the room. As he neared the door he
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 345 
 
 stepped softly and peeped inside. It was a problem with 
 him as to how far Mary and Bobbie (jould be trusted. 
 Having been with Peaches every day he could not accu- 
 rately mark improvements, but he could see that her bones 
 did not protrude so far, that her skin was not the yellow, 
 glisteny horror it had been, that the calloused spots were 
 going under the steady rubbing of nightly oil massage, so 
 lately he had added the same treatment to her feet; if they 
 were not less bony, if the skin were not soft and taking on a 
 pinkish colour, Mickey felt that his eyes were unreliable. 
 
 Surely she was better! Of course she was better! She 
 had to be! She ate more, she sat up longer, she moved her 
 feet where first they had hung helpless. She was better, 
 much better, and for that especial reason, now was the 
 time to watch closer than before. Now he must make sure 
 that a big strong child did not drag her from the bed, and 
 forever undo all he had gained. Since he had written Dr. 
 Carrel, Mickey had rubbed in desperation, not only nights 
 but mornings also, lest he had asked help before he was 
 ready for it; for the Sunshine Lady had said explicitly 
 that the sick back could not be operated until the child 
 was stronger. He was working according to instructions. 
 
 Mickey watched. Any one could have seen the delicate 
 flush on Peaches' cheek that morning, the hint of red on 
 her lips, the clearing whites of her lovely eyes. She was 
 helping Bobbie as Mickey had taught her. And Bobbie 
 approved mightily. He lifted his face, put up his arms 
 and issued his command: "Take Bobbie!' 
 
 "No! No, Bobbie," cautioned Mary. "Mother said 
 no! You must stay on the floor! Sister will take you.
 
 346 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 You mustn't touch Peaches 'til God makes her well. You 
 asked Him last night, don't you know? Mother will 
 spank something awful if you touch her. You must be 
 careful 'til her back is well, mother said so, and father too; 
 father said it Grosser than mother, don't you remember:" 
 
 "Mustn't touch!" repeated Bobbie, drawing back. 
 
 Mickey was satisfied with Mrs. Harding's instructions, 
 but he took the opportunity to emphasize a few points him- 
 self. He even slipped one white, bony foot from under the 
 sheet and showed Mary how sick it was, and how carefully 
 it must be rubbed before it would walk. 
 
 "I can rub it," announced Mary. 
 
 "Well don't you try that," cautioned Mickey. 
 
 "Why go on and let her!" interposed Peaches. "Go or 
 and let her! After to-day you said you'd be gone all day, 
 an' if rubbing in the morning and evening is good, maybe 
 more would make me walk sooner. Mickey I ain't ever 
 said it, 'cause you do so much an' try so hard, but Mickey, 
 I'm just about dead to walk! Mickey, I'm so tired being 
 lifted. Mickey, I want to get up an* go when I want to, like 
 other folks!" " 
 
 "Well that's the first time you ever said that." 
 
 "Well 'tain't the first time I ever could a-said it, if I'd 
 a-wanted to," explained Peaches. 
 
 "I see! You game little kid, you," said Mickey. "All 
 right Mary, you ask your mother and if she says so, I'll 
 show you how, and maybe you can rub Lily's feet, if you 
 go slow and easy and don't jar her back a speck." 
 
 "Ma said I could a-ready," explained Mary. "Ma said 
 for me to! She said all of us would, all the time we had
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 347 
 
 while you were away, so she'd get better faster. Ma said 
 she'd give a hundred dollars if Peaches would get so she 
 could walk here." 
 
 Mickey sat back on his heels suddenly. 
 
 "Who'd she say that to?" he demanded. 
 
 "Pa. And he said he'd give five hundred." 
 
 "Aw-a-ah!" marvelled Mickey. 
 
 "He did too!" insisted Mary. "This morning 'fore you 
 came out. And Junior would too. He'd give all in his 
 bank! And he'd rub too! He said he would." 
 
 "Well, if you ain't the nicest folks!" cried Mickey. 
 "Gee, I'm glad I found you!" 
 
 "Jus' as glad!" chimed in Peaches. 
 
 "Mary bring Robert here!" called Mrs. Harding from 
 the hall. Mary obeyed. Mickey moved up and looked 
 intently at Peaches. 
 
 "Well Lily," he asked, "what do you think of this?" 
 
 "I wouldn't trade this for Heaven!" she answered. 
 
 "The country is all the Heaven a-body needs, in 
 June." 
 
 "Mickey, bring in the cow now!" ordered Peaches. 
 
 "Bring in the cow?" queried Mickey. 
 
 "Sure, the little red cow in the book that makes the 
 milk. I want you to milk her right here on my bed!" 
 
 "Well, if I ever!" gasped Mickey. "Sure, I'll bring her 
 in a minute; but a cow is big, Lily! Awful, great big. I 
 couldn't bring her in here; but maybe I can drive her where 
 you can see, or I don't know what would be the harm in 
 taking you where the cows are. But first, one thing! 
 Now you look right at me, Miss Chicken. There's some-
 
 348 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 thing I got to know if you got in your head straight. Wha 
 found you, and kept them from 'getting' you?" 
 
 "Mickey-lovest," replied Peaches promptly. 
 
 "Then who d'you belong to?" he demanded. 
 
 "Mickey!" she answered instantly. 
 
 "Who you got to do as I say?" he continued. 
 
 "Mickey," she repeated. 
 
 " Whose family are you?" he pursued. 
 
 "Mickey's!" she cried. "Mickey, what's the matter? 
 Mickey, I love you best. I'm all yours. Mickey, I'll go 
 back an' never say a word 'bout the hotness, or the longness, 
 or anything, if you don't want me here." 
 
 "Well I do want you here," said Mickey in slow insist- 
 ent tone. "I want you right here! But you got to under- 
 stand a few things. You're mine. I'm going to keep you; 
 you got to understand that." 
 
 "Yes Mickey," conceded Peaches. 
 
 "And if it will help you to be rubbed more than I can 
 rub you while I got to earn money to pay for our supper 
 when we go home, and fix your back, and save for the sem- 
 inary, I'll let the nice pleasant lady rub you; and I'll let a 
 good girl like Mary rub you, and if his hands ain't so big 
 they hurt, maybe I'll let Peter rub you; he takes care of 
 Bobbie, maybe he could you, and he's got a family of his 
 own, so he knows how it feels; but it's nix on anybody else, 
 Miss Chicken, see?" 
 
 "They ain't nobody else!" said Peaches. 
 
 "There is too!" contradicted Mickey. "Mary said 
 Junior would rub your feet! Well he wont ! It's nix on 
 Junior! He's only a boy ! He aint got a family. H*
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 349 
 
 hasn't had experience. He doesn't know anything about 
 families ! See ? " 
 
 "He carries Bobbie, an' I bet he's heavier 'an me." 
 
 For the first time Mickey lost his temper. 
 
 "Now you looky here, Miss Chicken," he stormed. "I 
 ain't saying what he can do, I'm saying what he cant .' 
 See? You are mine, and I'm going to keep you! He can 
 lift me for all I care, but he can't carry you, nor rub your 
 feet, nor nothing; because he didn't find you, and you ain't 
 his; and I won't have it, not at all! Course he's a good 
 boy, and he's a nice boy, and you can play with him, and 
 talk to him, I'll let you just be awful nice to him, because 
 it's polite that you should be, but when it comes to carry- 
 ing and rubbing, it's nix on Junior, because he's got no 
 family and doesn't understand. See?" 
 
 "Umhuh," taunted Peaches. 
 
 "Well, are you going to promise?" demanded Mickey. 
 
 "Maybe," she teased. 
 
 " Back you go and never see a cow at all if you don't 
 promise," threatened Mickey. 
 
 "Mickey, what's the matter with you?" cried Peaches 
 suddenly. "What you getting a tantrum yourself for? 
 You ain't never had none before." 
 
 "That ain't no sign I ain't just busting full of them," 
 said Mickey. " Bad ones, and I feel an awful one as can 
 be coming right now, and coming quick. Are you going to 
 promise me nobody who hasn't a family, carries you, and 
 rubs you?" 
 
 Peaches looked at him in steady wonderment. 
 
 "I guess you're pretty tired, an' you need to sleep a while,
 
 350 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 or somepin," she said. "If you wasn't about sick yourself, 
 you'd know 'at anybody 'cept you 'ull get their dam-gone 
 heads ripped off if they touches me, nelse you say so. 
 Course, you found me! Course, they'd a-got me, if you 
 hadn't took me. Course, I'm yours! Course, it's nix on 
 Junior, an' it's nix on Peter if you say so. Mickey, I jus' 
 love you an' love you. I'll go back now if you say so, I tell 
 you. Mickey what's the matter?" 
 
 She stretched up her arms, and Mickey sank into them. 
 He buried his face beside hers and for the first time she 
 patted him, and whispered to him as she did to her doll. 
 She rubbed her cheek against his, crooned over him, -and 
 held him tight while he gulped down big sobs. 
 
 "Mickey, tell me," she begged, like a little mother. 
 "Tell me honey? Are you got a pain anywhere?" 
 
 "No!" he said. "Maybe I was kind of strung up, get- 
 ting you here and being so awful scared about hurting you; 
 but it's all right now. You are here, and things are going 
 to be fine, only, will you, cross your heart, always and for- 
 ever remember this: it's nix on Junior, or any boy, who ain't 
 got a family, and doesn't understand ? " 
 
 "Yes Mickey, cross my heart, an* frever, an' ever; an' 
 Mickey, you must get the soap. I slipped, an' said the 
 worse yet. I didn't mean to, but Mickey, I guess you 
 can't trust me. I guess you got to soap me, or beat me, or 
 somepin awful. Go on an' do it, Mickey." 
 
 "Why crazy!" said Mickey. "You're mixed up. You 
 didn't say anything! What you said was all rightest ever; 
 Tightest of anything I ever heard. It was just exactly what 
 I wanted you to say. I just lov&d what you said."
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 35 r 
 
 "Well if I ever!" cried Peaches. "Mickey, you was so 
 mixed up you didn't hear me. I got 'nother chance. 
 Goody, goody! Now show me the cow!" 
 
 "All right!" said Mickey. "I'll talk with Mrs. Hard- 
 ing and see how she thinks I best go at it. Lily, you won't 
 ever, ever forget that particular nix, will you?" 
 
 "Not ever," she promised, and lifted her lips to seal the 
 pact with a kiss that meant more to Mickey than all that 
 had preceded it. 
 
 "Just how do you feel, anyway, Flowersy-girl ? " 
 
 "Fine!" said Peaches. "I can tell by how it is right 
 now, that it isn't going to get all smothery an' sweatin's 
 here; whoohoo it's so good, Mickey!" 
 
 Mickey bent over her holding both hands and whis- 
 pered: "Then just you keep right before your eyes 
 where you came from, Miss, and what you must go back 
 to, if you don't behave. You will be a good girl, won't 
 you?" 
 
 "Honest, Mickey-lovest, jus' as good." 
 
 "Well how goes it with the Little White Butterfly?" 
 asked Peter at the door. 
 
 Mickey looked at Peaches to slightly nod encourage- 
 ment, then he slipped from the room. She gave Peter a 
 smile of wonderment and answered readily: "Grand as 
 queen-lady. You're jus' so nice and fine." 
 
 Now Peter hadn't known it, but all his life he had been 
 big; handled rough tools, tasks, implements and animals; 
 while his body grew sinewy and hard, to cope with his 
 task, his heart demanded more refined things; so if Peaches 
 had known the most musical languages on earth, she could
 
 352 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 not have used words to Peter that would have served her 
 better. He radiated content. 
 
 "Good!" he cried. "That's grand and good! I didn't 
 take a fair look at you last night. It was so sissing hot in 
 that place and you went to sleep before I got my chores 
 done; but now we must get acquainted. Tell me honey, 
 does any particular place in your little body hurt you? If 
 there does, put your hand and show Peter where." 
 
 Peaches stared at Peter, then she faintly smiled at him 
 and laid a fluttering hand on her left side. 
 
 "Oh shockings!" mourned Peter. "That's too bad! 
 That's vital! Your heart's right under there, honey. Is 
 there a pain in your heart ?" 
 
 Peaches nodded solemnly. 
 
 "Not all the time!" she explained. "Only like now, 
 when you are so good to me. Jus' so fine and good." 
 
 Then and there Peter surrendered. He bent and kissed 
 the hand he held, and said with tears saturating his words, 
 just as tears do permeate speech sometimes: "Pshaw now, 
 Little White Butterfly! I never was more pleased to hear 
 anything in my life. Ma and I have talked for years of 
 having some city children here for summer, but we've been 
 slow trying it because we hear such bad reports from many 
 of them, and it's natural for people to shield their own; but 
 I guess instead of shielding, we may have been denying. 1 
 I can't see anything about you children to hurt ours; and I 
 notice a number of ways where it is beneficial to have you 
 here. It's surely good for all of us. You're the nicest little 
 folks!" 
 
 Peaches sat up suddenly and smiled on Peter.
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 353 
 
 "Mickey is nice an' fine," she told him. "Not even 
 you, or anybody, is nice as Mickey. An' I'm going to be. 
 I'd like to be! But you see, I laid alone all day in a dark 
 corner so long, an' I got so wild like, 'at when granny did 
 come, I done an' said jus' like she did, but Mickey doesn't 
 like it. He's scart 'most stiff fear I'll forget an' say bad 
 swearin's, an' you'll send me back to the hotness, so's I 
 won't get better. Would you send me back if I forget 
 fust once, Peter?" 
 
 "Why pshaw now!" said Peter. "Pshaw Little Soul, 
 don't you worry about that. You try hard to remember, 
 and be like Mickey wants you to, and if you make a slip, 
 I'll speak to Ma about it, and we'll just turn a deaf ear, and 
 away out here, you'll soon forget it." 
 
 Just then, Mickey, trailing a rope, passed before the 
 window; there was a crunching sound; a lumbering cow 
 stopped, lifted a mouth half filled with grass, and bawled 
 her loudest protest at being separated from her calf. 
 Peaches had only half a glance, but her shriek was utter 
 terror. She launched herself on Peter and climbed him, 
 until her knees were on his chest, and her fingers clutching 
 his hair. 
 
 "God Jesus!" she screamed. "It 'ull eat me!" 
 
 Peter caught her in his arms, turning his back. Mickey 
 heard, and saw, and realized that the cow was too big and 
 had appeared too precipitately, and bellowed too loudly. 
 He should have begun on the smallest calf on the place. 
 He rushed the cow back to Junior, and himself to Peaches, 
 who, sobbing wildly, still clung to Peter. As Mickey en- 
 tered, frightened and despairing, he saw that Peter was
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 much concerned, but laughing until his shoulders shook, 
 and in relief that he was, and that none of the children 
 were present, Mickey grinned, acquired a slow red, and 
 tried to quiet Peaches. 
 
 "Shut that window!" she screamed. "Shut it quick!" 
 
 "Why honey, that's the cow you wanted to see," 
 soothed Mickey. "That's the nice cow that gave the 
 very milk you had for breakfast. Junior was going to 
 milk her where you could see. We thought you'd like it!" 
 
 "Don't let it get me!" cried Peaches. 
 
 "W T hy it ain't going to get anything but grass!" said 
 Mickey. "Didn't you see me leading it? I can make 
 that big old thing go where I please. Come on, be a game 
 kid now. You ain't a baby coward girl! It's only a cow! 
 You are going to put it on your book!" 
 
 "I ain't!" sobbed Peaches. "I ain't ever going to 
 drink milk again! I jus' bet the milk will get me!" 
 
 " Be game now ! " urged Mickey. " Mary milks the cow. 
 Baby Bobbie runs right up to her. Everything out here is 
 big, Lily. I ran from the horses. I jumped on a fence, 
 and Junior laughed at me." 
 
 "Mickey, what did you say?" wavered Peaches. 
 
 "I didn't say anything," said Mickey. "I just jumped." 
 
 "Mickey, I jumped, an* I said it, both. I said it right 
 on Peter," she bravely confessed. "Mickey, I said the 
 worst yet! I didn't know I did, 'til I heard it! But 
 Mickey, I got another chance!" 
 
 Peaches wiped her eyes, tremulously glanced at the 
 window, and still clinging to Mickey explained: "I was 
 just telling Peter about the swearin's, an' Mickey, don't
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 355 
 
 feel so bad. He won't send me back for just once. 
 Mickey, Peter has got ' a deaf ear.' He said he had ! He 
 ain't goin' to hear it when I slip a swearin's, an' Mickey, 
 I am tryin'! Honest I'm tryin' jus' as hard, Mickey!" 
 
 Mickey turned a despairing face toward Peter. 
 
 "Just like she says," assured Peter. "We've all got 
 our faults. You'll have to forgive her Mickey." 
 
 "Me? Of course!" conceded Mickey. "But what 
 about you? You don't want your nice little children to 
 hear bad words." 
 
 "Well," said Peter, "don't make too much of it! It's 
 likely there are no words she can say that my children 
 don't know. Just ignore and forget it! She won't do it 
 often. I'm sure she won't!" 
 
 "Are you sure you won't, Miss ? " demanded Mickey. 
 
 "Sure!" said Peaches, and in an effort to change the 
 subject: "Mickey, is that cow out there yet?" 
 
 "No, Junior took her back to the barnyard." 
 
 "Mickey, I ain't going to put a cow on my book; but I 
 want to see her again, away off. Mickey, take me where 
 I can see. You said last night you would." 
 
 "But the horses are bigger than the cows. You'll get 
 scared again, and with' scaring and crying you'll be so bad 
 off your back won't get any better all day, and to-morrow 
 I got to leave you and go to work." 
 
 "Then I'll see all the things to-day, an' to-morrow I'll 
 think about them 'til you come back. Please Mickey! 
 If things don't get Bobbie an' Mary, they won't get me!" 
 
 "That's a game little girl!" said Mickey. "All right, 
 I'll take you. But you ought to have "
 
 356 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Have what Mickey?" she inquired, instantly alert. 
 
 "Well never you mind what," sa ; d Mickey. "You be a 
 good girl and lie still, so your back will be better, and 
 watch the bundle I'll bring home to-morrow night." 
 
 Peaches shivered in delight. Mickey proceeded slowly, 
 followed by the entire family. 
 
 "Mickey, it's so big!" she marvelled. "Everything is 
 so far away, an' so big!" 
 
 "Now isn't it!" agreed Mickey. "You see it's like I 
 told you. Now let me show you the garden." 
 
 He selected that as a safe proposition. Peaches grasped 
 the idea readily enough. Mrs. Harding gathered vegeta- 
 bles for her to see. When they reached the strawberry bed 
 Mickey knelt and with her own fingers Peaches pulled 
 a berry and ate it, then laughed, exclaimed, and cried in 
 delight. She picked a flower, and from the safe vantage 
 of the garden viewed the cows and horses afar; and the 
 fields and sheep were explained to her. Mickey carried 
 her across the road, Mary brought a comfort, and for a 
 whole hour the child lay under a big tree with pink and 
 white clover in a foot-deep border around her. When 
 they lifted her she said: "Mickey, to-night we put in the 
 biggest blesses of all." 
 
 "What?" inquired Mickey. 
 
 "Bless the nice people for such grand things, an' the 
 berries; but never mind about the cow." 
 
 Then Mickey took her back to the house. She awoke 
 from a restful nap to find a basket of chickens waiting for 
 her, barely down dry from their shells. She caught up a 
 little yellow ball, and with both hands clutched it, exclaim-
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 3S7 
 
 ing and crying in joy until Mickey saw the chicken was 
 drooping. He pried open her excited little fingers; but 
 the chicken remained limp. Soon it became evident that 
 she had squeezed the life from it. 
 
 "Oh Peaches, you held it too tight!" wailed Mickey. 
 "I'm afraid you've made it sick!" 
 
 "I didn't mean to Mickey!" she protested. "I didn't 
 drop it! I held it tight as I could!" 
 
 Mrs. Harding reached over and picked the chicken from 
 Mickey's fingers. 
 
 "That chicken wasn't very well to begin with," she 
 said. "You give it to me, and I'll doctor it up, while 
 you take another one. Which do you want ? " 
 
 "Yellow," sniffed Peaches, "but please hurry, and 
 Mickey, you hold this one. Maybe I held too hard!" 
 
 "Yes you did," laughed Peter. "But we wanted to 
 see what you'd do. One little chicken is a small price for 
 the show you give. It's all right, Butterfly." 
 
 "Peter, you make everything all right, don't you?" 
 
 "Well honey, I would if I could," said Peter. "But 
 that's something of a contract. Now you rest till after 
 dinner, and if Ma and Mickey agree on it, we'll go see 
 the meadow brook and hear the birds sing." 
 
 "The water!" shouted Peaches. "Mickey, you prom- 
 ised " 
 
 "Yes I remember," said Mickey. "I'll see how cold 
 it is and if I think it won't chill you yes." 
 
 "Oh gee!" chortled Peaches. "'Nother blesses!" 
 
 "What does she mean?" asked Peter. 
 
 Mickey explained.
 
 358 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Can't see how it would hurt her a mite," said Peter. 
 "Water is warm, nice day. It will be good for her." 
 
 "All right," said Mickey, "then we'll try it. But how 
 about the plowing Peter, shouldn't I be helping your" 
 
 "Not to-day," said Peter. "I never allow my work 
 to drive me, so I get pleasure from life my neighbours 
 miss, and I'll compare bank accounts with any of them. 
 To-morrow I'll work. To-day I'm entertaining company, 
 or rather they are entertaining me. I think this is about 
 the best day of my life. Isn't it great, Ma ? " 
 
 "It just is! I can't half work, myself!" answered 
 Nancy Harding. "I just wonder if we could take a little 
 run in the car after supper?" 
 
 "What do you think about it, Mickey?" asked Peter. 
 
 " WTiy, I can't see that coming out hurt her any." 
 
 "Then we'll go," said Peter. 
 
 " Do I have to be all covered ? " questioned Peaches. 
 
 "Not nearly so much," explained Mickey. "I'll let 
 you see a lot more. There's a bobolink bird down the 
 street Peter wants to show you." 
 
 "'Street!'" jeered Junior. "That's a road!" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "I got a lot to learn. You tell 
 me, will you Junior?" 
 
 "Course!" said Junior, suddenly changing from scorn 
 to patronage. "Now let's take her to the creek ! " 
 
 "Well that's quite a walk," said Peter. "We're not 
 going there unless I carry the Little White Butterfly. You 
 want me to take you, don't you?" 
 
 Peaches answered instantly. 
 
 "Mickey always carries me. He can! And of course
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 359 
 
 I like him the best; but after him, I like you best Peter, 
 so you may, if he'll let you." 
 
 "So that's the way the wind blows!" laughed Peter. 
 "Then Mickey, it's up to you." 
 
 "Why sure!" said Mickey. "Since you are so big, and 
 got a family of your own, so you understand " 
 
 "What Mickey?" asked Peter. 
 
 "Oh how to be easy with little sick people," answered 
 Mickey, "and that a man's family is his family, and he 
 don't want anybody else butting in!" 
 
 "I see!" said Peter, struggling with his facial muscles. 
 "Of course! But this sheet is going to be rather bungle- 
 some. Ma, could you do anything about it?" 
 
 "Yes," said Mrs. Harding. "Mary, you run up to the 
 flannel chest, and get Bobbie's little blue blanket." 
 
 Peter lifted the child to his broad breast, she slipped her 
 arms around his neck, and laid her head on his shoulder. 
 
 Bloom time was past, but bird time was not, while the 
 leaves were still freshly green and tender. Some of them 
 reached to touch Peaches' gold hair in passing. She was 
 held high to see into, nests and the bluebirds' hollow in 
 the apple tree. Peaches gripped Peter and cried: "Don't 
 let it get my feet!" when the old turkey gobbler came 
 rasping, strutting, and spitting at the party. Mickey 
 pointed to Mary, who was unafraid, and Peaches' clutch 
 grew less frantic but she defended: "Well, I don't care! I 
 bet if she hadn't ever seen one before, an' then a big thing 
 like that would come right at her, tellin' plain it was goin' 
 to eat her alive, it would scare the livers out of her." 
 
 "Yes I guess it would," conceded Peter. "But you
 
 360 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 got the eating end of it wrong. It isn't going to eat us, 
 we are going to eat it. About Thanksgiving, we'll lay its 
 head on the block and Ma will stuff it " 
 
 "I've quit stuffing turkeys, Peter," said Mrs. Harding. 
 "I find it spoils the flavour of the meat." 
 
 "Well then it will stuff us," said Peter, " all we can hold, 
 and mince pie, plum pudding, and every good thing we 
 can think of. What piece of turkey do you like best, 
 Butterfly?" 
 
 Mickey instantly scanned Peter, then Mrs. Peter, and 
 tensely waited. 
 
 "Oh stop! Stop! Is that a turkey bird ? " cried Peaches. 
 
 "Surely it is," said Mrs. Harding. "Why childie, 
 haven't you ever seen a turkey, either?" 
 
 "No I didn't ever," said Peaches. "Can turkey birds 
 sing?" 
 
 Just then the gobbler stuck forward his head and sang: 
 "Gehobble, hobble, hobble!" Peaches gripped Peter's 
 hair and started to ascend him again. Mrs. Harding 
 waved her apron; the turkey suddenly reduced its size 
 three-fourths, skipped aside, and a neat, trim bird, high 
 stepping and dainty, walked through the orchard. 
 Peaches collapsed in Peter's arms in open-mouthed wonder. 
 "Gosh! How did it cave in like that?" she cried. 
 
 Peter's shoulders were shaking, but he answered gravely: 
 "Well that's a way it has of puffing itself up and making a 
 great big pretense that it is going to flop us, and then if 
 just little Bobbie or Ma waves an apron or a stick it gets 
 out of the way in a hurry." 
 
 "I've seen Multiopolis millyingaires cave in like that
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 3 6i 
 
 sometimes when I waved a morning paper with an inch- 
 high headline about them," commented Mickey. 
 
 Peter Harding glanced at his wife, then they laughed to- 
 gether. Peter stepped over a snake fence, went carefully 
 down a hill, crossed the meadow to the shade of a tree, sat 
 on the bank of the brook and watched Peaches as she 
 studied first the clear babbling water, then the grass trail- 
 ing in the stream, the bushes, trees, and then the water 
 again. 
 
 "Mickey, come here!" she commanded. "Put your 
 head right down beside mine. Now look just the way I 
 do, an' tell me what you see." 
 
 "I see running water, grassy banks, trees, the birds, 
 the sky and the clouds the water shows what's above it 
 like a mirror, Lily." 
 
 Peaches pointed. Mickey watched intently. 
 
 "Sure!" he cried. "Little fish with red speckles on 
 them. Shall I catch you one to see?" 
 
 "Tain't my eyes then?" questioned Peaches. 
 
 "Your eyes, Miss?" asked Mickey bewildered. 
 
 "Tain't my eyes seein' things that yours doesn't?" 
 
 Mickey took her hand and drew closer. 
 
 "Well it isn't any wonder you almost doubt it, honey," 
 he said. "I would too, if I hadn't ever seen it before. 
 But I been on the trolley, and on a few newsboys' excur- 
 sions, and in the car with Mr. Bruce, and I've got to walk 
 along the str roads some, so I know it's real. Let me 
 show you !" 
 
 Mickey slipped down the bank, scooped his hands full 
 of water, and lifted them, letting it drip through his fingers.
 
 362 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Then he made a sweep and brought up one of the fish, 
 brightly marked as a flower, and gasping in the air. 
 
 "Look quick!" he cried. "See it good! It's used to 
 water and the air chokes it, just like the water would you 
 if a big fish would take you and hold your head under; 
 I got to put it back quick." 
 
 "Mickey, lay it in my hand, just a little bit!" 
 
 Mickey obeyed while Peaches examined it hurriedly. 
 
 "Put it back!" she cried. "I guess that's as long as I'd 
 want to be choked, while a fish looked at me." 
 
 Mickey exchanged the fish for a handful of wet, vividly 
 coloured pebbles, then brought a bunch of cowslips yellow 
 as gold, and a long willow whip with leaves on, and when 
 she had examined these, she looked inquiringly at Mrs. 
 Harding. 
 
 "Nicest lady, may I put my feet in your water?" 
 
 "How about the temperature of it, Mickey?" inquired 
 Mrs. Harding. 
 
 "It's all right," said Mickey. "I've washed her in 
 colder water lots of times. The Sunshine Lady said I 
 should, to toughen her up." 
 
 "Then go ahead," said Mrs. Harding. 
 
 "Peter, may I?" asked Peaches. 
 
 "Surely!" agreed Peter. "Whole bunch may get in if 
 Ma says so!" 
 
 "Well, I don't say so!" exclaimed Mrs. Harding. "The 
 children have their good clothes on and they always get 
 to romping and dirty themselves and then it's bigger 
 washings and mine are enough to break my back right 
 now."
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 3 6 3 
 
 Peter looked at his wife intently. "Why Nancy, I 
 hadn't heard you complain before!" he said. "If they're 
 too big, we must wear less and make them smaller, and I'll 
 take an hour at the machine, and Junior can turn the 
 wringer. All of you children listen to me. Your Ma is 
 feeling the size of the wash. That means we must be 
 more careful of our clothes and help her better. If Ma 
 gets sick, or tired of us, we'll be in a fix, I tell you!" 
 
 "I didn't say I was sick, or tired of you, I'm just tired 
 of washing!" said Mrs. Harding. 
 
 "I see!" said Peter. "But it is a thing that has got to 
 be done, like plowing and sowing." 
 
 "Yes I know," said Mrs. Harding, "but plowing and 
 sowing only come once a year. Washing comes once and 
 twice a week." 
 
 "Let me," said Mickey. "I always helped mother, and 
 I do my own and Lily's at home. Of course I will here, 
 and I can help you a lot with yours!" 
 
 "Yes a boy!" scoffed Mrs. Harding. 
 
 "Well I'll show you that a boy can work as well as a 
 girl, if he's been taught right," said Mickey. 
 
 "I wasn't bringing up any question of work," said Mrs. 
 Harding. "I just didn't want the children to dirty a 
 round of clothing apiece. They may wade when their 
 things are ready for the wash anyway. Go on Peaches!" 
 
 Peter moved down the bank and prepared to lower her 
 to the water, but she reached her arms for Mickey. 
 
 "He promised me," she said. "Back there on his nice 
 bed in the hot room he promised me this." 
 
 "So I did," said Mickey, radiating satisfaction he could
 
 364 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 not conceal. "So I did! Now, I'll let you put your feet 
 in, like I said." 
 
 "Will the fish bite me?" she questioned timidly. 
 
 "Those little things! What if they did?" 
 
 Thus encouraged she put her toes in the water, gripping 
 Mickey and waiting breathlessly to see what happened. 
 Nothing happened, while the warm, running water felt 
 pleasant, so she dipped lower, and then did her best to 
 make it splash. It wasn't much of a splash, but it was a 
 satisfying performance to the parties most interested, and 
 from their eagerness the watchers understood what it 
 meant to them. Junior sidled up to his mother. 
 
 "Ain't that tough?" he whispered. 
 
 She bit her lip and silently nodded. 
 
 "Look at her feet, will you?" he breathed. 
 
 She looked at him instead, then suddenly her eyes filled 
 with a mist like that clouding his. 
 
 " Think they'll ever walk ?" he questioned. 
 
 "I don't know," she said softly, "but it looks as if God 
 has given us the chance to make them if it's possible." 
 
 "Well say what's my share?" he said. 
 
 "Just anything you see that you think will help." 
 
 "If I be more careful not to dirty so many clothes, will 
 it help?" he asked. 
 
 "It would leave me that much more time and strength 
 to give to her," she said. 
 
 "Will all I can save you in any way be helping her that 
 much?" he persisted. 
 
 "Surely!" she said. "Soon as he's out of sight, I'm 
 going to begin on her. But don't let them hear!"
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 365 
 
 Junior nodded. He sat down on the bank watching as 
 if fascinated the feet trying to splash in the water. Mickey 
 could feel the effort of the small body. 
 
 "You take her now," he said to Peter. Then he threw 
 off his shoes and stockings, turned up his knee breeches 
 and stepped into the water, where he helped the feet to 
 kick and splash. He rubbed them and at last picked up 
 handfuls of fine sand and lightly massaged with it until he 
 brought a pink glow. 
 
 "That's the stuff," indorsed Peter. "Look at that! 
 You're pulling the blood down." 
 
 "Where's the blood?" asked Peaches. 
 
 Peter explained the circulatory system and why all the 
 years of lying, with no movement, had made her so help- 
 less. He told her why scarce and wrong food had not 
 made good blood to push down and strengthen her feet so 
 they would walk. He told her the friction of the sand- 
 rubbing would pull it down, while the sun, water, and earth 
 would help. Peaches with wide eyes listened, her breath 
 coming faster and faster, until suddenly she leaned forward 
 and cried: "Rub, Mickey! Rub 'til the blood flies! Rub 
 'em hot as hell!" 
 
 "Well, Miss Chicken!" he cried in despair. 
 
 Peaches buried her shamed face on Peter's breast. He 
 screened her with a big hand. 
 
 "Now never you mind! Never you mind!" he re- 
 peated. "Everybody turn a deaf ear! That was a slip! 
 Nobody heard it! You mean Little Butterfly White, 
 'rub hard.' Say rub hard and that will fix it!" 
 
 "Mickey," she said in a faint voice so subdued and con-
 
 366 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 trite as to be ridiculous, "Mickey-lovest, won't you please 
 to rub hard! Rub jus' as hard!" 
 
 Mickey suddenly bent to kiss the bony little foot he was 
 chafing. 
 
 "Yes darling, I'll rub 'til it a-most bleeds," he said. 
 
 When the feet were glowing with alternate sand-rubbing 
 and splashing in cold water, Peter looked at his wife. 
 
 "I think that's the ticket!" he said. "Nancy, don't 
 you? That pulls down the blood with rubbing, and drives 
 it back with the cold water, and pulls it down, to be pushed 
 back again ain't that helping the heart get in its work? 
 Now if we strengthen her with right food, and make lots of 
 pure blood to run in these little blue canals on her temples, 
 and hands and feet, ain't we gaining ground? Ain't we 
 making headway?" 
 
 "We've just got to be," said Mrs. Harding. "There s 
 no other way to figure it. But this is enough for a 
 start." 
 
 Peaches leaned toward her and asked: '"May we do 
 this again to-morrow, nicest lady?" 
 
 "Well I can't say as we can come clear here every day; 
 I'm a busy woman, and my spare time is scarce; and even 
 light as you are, you'd be a load for me; I can't say as we 
 can do this when Peter is busy plowing and harvesting 
 and Junior is away on the cream wagon, and Mickey is in 
 town at his work; we can't do just this; but there is some- 
 thing we can do that will help the feet quite as much. 
 We can bring a bucket of sand up to the house, and set a 
 tub of water in the sun, and you can lie on a comfort under 
 an apple tree with Mary and Bobbie to watch you, and
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 367 
 
 every few hours we can take a little time off for rubbing 
 and splashing." 
 
 " My job ! " shouted Junior. " I get a bucket and carry 
 up the sand!" 
 
 "I bring the tub and pump the water!" cried Mary. 
 
 "Me shoo turkey!" announced Bobbie. 
 
 "I lift the tub to the edge of the shade and carry out 
 the Butterfly!" said Peter. 
 
 "And where do I come in?" demanded Mickey. 
 
 "Why Mickey, you 'let' them!" cried Peaches. "You 
 'let' them! An' you earn the money to pay for the new 
 back, when I get strong enough to have it changed, an' the 
 Carrel man comes ! Don't you 'member ? " 
 
 "Sure!" boasted Mickey, taking on height. "I got the 
 biggest job of all! I got the job that really does the trick, 
 and to-morrow I get right after it. Now I must take you 
 back to the house to rest a while." 
 
 "Aw come on to the barn with me!" begged Junior. 
 "Let father carry her! Ain't you going to be any com- 
 pany for me at all?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "Wait a minute! I'd like to go 
 to the barn with you." 
 
 He dried Peaches' feet with his handkerchief, stuffed his 
 stockings in his pocket, and picked up his shoes. 
 
 " Lily, can you let Peter take you back to rest 'til supper 
 time, so I can see what Junior wants to show me?" 
 
 "Yes I can," said Peaches. "Yes I can, 'cause I'm a 
 game kid; but I don't wish to!" 
 
 "Now you look here, Miss Chicken, that hasn't got any- 
 thing to do with it," explained Mickey. "Every single
 
 368 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 time you can't have your way, 'cause it ain't good for you. 
 If all these nice folks are so kind to you, you must think 
 part of the time about what they want, and just now Jun- 
 ior wants me, so you march right along nice and careful 
 with Peter, and pretty soon I'll come." 
 
 Peaches pouted a second, then her face cleared by de- 
 grees, until it lifted to Peter with a smile. 
 
 " Peter, will you please to carry me while Mickey does 
 what Junior wants?" she asked with melting sweetness. 
 
 "Sure!" said Peter. "I'm the one to take you anyway, 
 big and strong as an ox; but that's a pretty way to ask, and 
 acting like a nice lady!" 
 
 Peaches radiated pride while Peter returned her to the 
 couch, brought her a glass of milk and a cracker, pulled the 
 shade, and going out softly closed the door. In five min- 
 utes she was asleep. 
 
 An hour before supper time Mickey appeared and with- 
 out a word began watching Mrs. Harding. Suddenly her 
 work lightened. When she was ready for water, the 
 bucket was filled, saving her a trip to the pump. When 
 she lifted the dishpan and started toward the back door, 
 Mickey met her with the potato basket. When she 
 glanced questioningly at the stove, he put in more wood. 
 He went to the dining-room and set the table exactly as it 
 had been for dinner. He made the trip to the cellar with 
 her and brought up bread and milk, while she carried but- 
 ter and preserves. As she told Peter that night, no strange 
 woman ever had helped her as quickly and understand- 
 ingly. 
 
 With dishwashing he was on hand, for he knew that
 
 A PARTICULAR NIX 369 
 
 Peaches' fate hung on how much additional work was 
 made for Mrs. Harding. That surprised woman found 
 herself seated in a cool place on the back porch preparing 
 things for breakfast, while Mickey washed the dishes, and 
 Mary carried them. Peaches was moved to the couch in 
 the dining-room where she could look on. 
 
 Then wrapped in Bobbie's blanket and held closely in 
 Mickey's arms, the child lay quivering with delight while 
 the big car made the trip to the club house, and stopped 
 under the trees to show Peaches where Mr. Bruce played, 
 and then slowly ran along the country road, with all its oc- 
 cupants talking at once in their effort to point out every- 
 thing to her. No one realized how tired she was, until in 
 calling her attention to a colt beside its mother, she made 
 no response, then it was discovered that she was asleep, so 
 they took her home and put her to bed.
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 
 
 WHEN Mickey went the following morning to 
 bring water for the inevitable washing, Mrs. 
 Harding said to him : " Is it possible that child 
 is awake this early?" 
 
 "No. She is sleeping like she'd never come to," said 
 Mickey. "I'll wait 'til the last minute before I touch her." 
 
 "You shouldn't wake her," said Mrs. Harding. 
 
 "But I must," said Mickey. "I can't go away and 
 leave her not washed, fed, and fixed the best I can." 
 
 "Of course I understand that," said Mrs. Harding, "but 
 now it's different. Then you were forced, this is merely a 
 question of what is best for her. Now Mickey, we're all 
 worked up over this till we're most beside ourselves, so we 
 want to help; suppose you humour us, by letting us please 
 ourselves a trifle. How does that proposition strike you : " 
 
 "Square, from the ground up," answered Mickey 
 promptly. "But what would please you?" 
 
 "Well," said Mrs. Harding, "it would please me to keep 
 this house quiet, and let that child sleep till the demands of 
 her satisfied body wake her up. Then I'd love to bathe her 
 as a woman would her own, in like case; and cook her such 
 dainties as she should have: things with lots of lime in 
 them. I think her bones haven't been built right; I be- 
 
 570
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 371 
 
 lieve I could make her fifty per cent better in three months 
 myself; and as far as taking her away when this week is up, 
 you might as well begin to make different plans right now. 
 If she does well here, and likes it, she can't be taken back 
 where I found her, till cool weather, if I can get the consent 
 of my mind to let her go then. Of course I know she's 
 yours, so things will be as you say, but think a while before 
 you go against me. If I do all I can for her I ought to earn 
 the privilege of having my finger in the pie a little bit." 
 
 "So far as Lily goes," said Mickey, "I'd be tickled 
 'most to death. I ain't anxious to pull and haul, and 
 wake up the poor, little sleepy thing. Every morning 
 it 'most makes me sick. I'd a lot rather let her sleep it out 
 as you say, but while Lily is mine, and I've got to do the 
 best by her I can, you are Peter's so he must do the best by 
 you he can; and did you notice how he jumped on that 
 washing business yesterday? How we going to square up 
 with Peter?" 
 
 "I'm perfectly willing to do what I said for the sake of 
 that child. I've come to be mighty fond of you Mickey, 
 in the little time I've known you; if I didn't like and want 
 to help Peaches I'd do a lot for her, just to please you 
 
 "Gee, you're something grand!" cried Mickey. 
 
 "Just common clay, commonest kind of clay Mickey," 
 said Mrs. Harding. "But if you want to know how you 
 could 'square' it with me, which will 'square' it with 
 Peter I'll tell you. You may think I'm silly; but as 
 we're made, we're made, and this is how it is with me : of 
 course I love Peter, my children, my home, and I love 
 my work; but I've had this job without 'jot or tittle' of
 
 372 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 change for fifteen years, and I'm about stalled with the 
 sameness of it. I know you'll think I'm crazy " 
 
 "I won't!" interrupted Mickey. "You go on and tell 
 me! The sameness of it is getting you and " 
 
 "Just the way you flew around and did things last night 
 perfectly amazed me. I never saw a boy like you before; 
 you helped me better and with more sense than any 
 woman I ever hired, and thinking it over last night, I said 
 to myself, 'Now if Mickey would be willing to trade jobs 
 with me, it would give me a change, and it wouldn't be any 
 more woman's work for him than what he is doing " 
 
 "Well never you mind about the 'woman's work' part 
 of it," said Mickey. "That doesn't cut any ice with me. 
 It's men's work to eat, and I don't know who made a law 
 that it was any more 'woman's work' to cook for men than 
 it is their own. If there is a law of that kind, I bet a 
 liberty-bird the men made it. I haven't had my show at 
 law-making yet, but when I get it, there are some things 
 I can see right now that I'm going to fix for Lily, and I'd 
 sooner fix them for you too, than not. Just what were 
 you thinking?" 
 
 Mrs. Harding went to Mickey, took him by the shoul- 
 der, turned him toward the back door and piloted him 
 to the porch, where she pointed east indicating an open 
 line. It began as high as his head against the side of the 
 Harding back wall and ran straight. It crossed the yard 
 between trees that through no design at all happened to 
 stand in line with those of the orchard so that they formed 
 a narrow emerald wall on each side of a green-carpeted 
 space that led to the meadow, where it widened, ran down
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 373 
 
 hill and crossed lush grass where cattle grazed. Then it 
 climbed a far hill, tree crested, cloud capped, and in a mist 
 of glory the faint red of the rising sun worked colour mir- 
 acles with the edges of cloud rims, tinted them with flushes 
 of rose, lavender, streaks of vivid red, and a broad stripe 
 of pale green. Alone, on the brow of the hill, stood one 
 giant old apple tree, the remains of an early-day orchard. 
 It was widely branching, symmetrically outlined, backed 
 atid coloured by cloud wonder, above and around it. The 
 woman pointed down the avenue with a shaking finger, and 
 asked: "See that Mickey? Start slow and get all of it. 
 Every time I've stepped on this back porch for fifteen 
 years, summer or winter, I've seen that just as it is now 
 or as it was three weeks ago when the world was blooming, 
 or as it will be in the red and gold of fall, or the later grays 
 and browns, and when it's ice coated, and the sun comes 
 up, I think sometimes it will kill me. I've neglected my 
 work to stand staring, many's the time in summer, and 
 I've taken more than one chill in winter I've tried to 
 show Peter, and a few times I've suggested " 
 
 "He ought to have seen for himself that you should 
 have had a window cut there the first thing," said Mickey. 
 
 "Well, he didn't; and he doesn't!" said Mrs. Harding. 
 "But Mickey, for fifteen years, there hasn't been a single 
 morning when I went to the back porch for water " 
 
 "And you ought to have had water inside, fifteen years 
 ago!" cried Mickey. 
 
 " Why so I had !" exclaimed Mrs. Harding. "And come 
 to think of it, I've mentioned that to Peter, over and over, 
 too. But Mickey, what I started to say was, that I've
 
 374 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 been perfectly possessed to follow that path and watch the 
 sun rise while sitting under that apple tree; and never yet 
 have I got to the place where there wasn't bread, or churn- 
 ing, or a baby, or visitors, or a wash, or ironing, or some 
 reason why I couldn't go. Maybe I'm a fool, but sure as 
 you're a foot high, I've got to take that trip pretty soon 
 now, or my family is going to see trouble. And last night 
 thinking it over for the thousandth time I said to myself: 
 since he's so handy, if he'd keep things going just one 
 morning, just one morning " 
 
 Mickey handed her a sun hat. 
 
 "G'wan!" he said gruffly. "I'll do your work, and I'll 
 do it right. Lily can have her sleep. G'wan!" 
 
 The woman hesitated a second, pushed away the hat, 
 took her bearings and crossed the walk, heading directly 
 toward the old apple tree on the far crest. Her eyes were 
 set on the rising sun, and as she turned to close the yard 
 gate, Mickey could see that there was an awed, unnatural 
 expression on her face. He stepped into the dining-room. 
 By the time Peter and Junior came with big buckets of 
 milk, Mickey had the cream separator rinsed and together, 
 as he had helped Mrs. Harding fix it the day before. With 
 his first glance Peter inquired: "Where's Ma?" 
 
 "She's doing something she's been crazy to for fifteen 
 years," answered Mickey calmly, as he set the gauge and 
 poured in the first bucket of milk. 
 
 "Which ain't answering where she is." 
 
 "So 'tain't!" said Mickey, starting the machine. "Well 
 if you'll line up, I'll show you. Train your peepers down 
 that green subway, and on out to glory as presented by
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 375 
 
 the Almighty in this particular stretch of country, and 
 just beyond your cows there you'll see a spot about as 
 big as Bobbie, and that will be your nice lady heading 
 straight for sunrise. She said she'd wanted to go for fif- 
 teen years, but there always had been churning, or baking, 
 or something, so this morning, as there wasn't a thing 
 but what I could do as good as she could, why we made it 
 up that I'd finish her work and let her see her sunrise, 
 since she seems to be set on it; and when she gets back 
 she's going to wash and dress Lily for a change. Strange 
 how women folks get discouraged on their job, among their 
 best friends, who would do anything in the world for them, 
 'cept just to see that a little bit of change would help 
 them. It will be a dandy scheme for Lily, 'cause it lets 
 her get her sleep out, and it will be good for you, 'cause 
 if Mrs. Harding doesn't get to sit under that apple tree 
 and watch sunup pretty soon, things are going to go 
 wrong at this house." 
 
 Peter's lower jaw slowly sagged. 
 
 "If you don't hurry," said Mickey, "even loving her 
 like you do, and loving you as she does, she's going to 
 have them nervous prostrations like the Swell Dames in 
 Multiopolis get when they ask a fellow to carry a package, 
 and can't remember where they want to send it. She's 
 not there yet. She's ahead of them now, for she wants to 
 sit under that apple tree and watch sunup; but if she 
 hadn't got there this morning or soon now, she'd a-begun 
 to get mixed, I could see that plain as the City Hall." 
 
 "Mickey, what else can you see?" asked Peter. 
 
 "Enough to make your head swim," said Mickey.
 
 376 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Out with it!" ordered Peter. 
 
 "Well," said Mickey gravely, and seemingly intent 
 on the separator, but covertly watching Peter, "well, if 
 you'd a-cut that window she's wanted for fifteen years, 
 right over her table there where the line comes, she could 
 a-been seeing that particular bit of glory you notice 
 Peter, that probably there's nothing niftier on earth than 
 just the little spot she's been pining for; look good your- 
 self, and you'll see, there she's just climbing the hill to 
 the apple tree look at it carefully, and then step inside 
 and focus on what she's faced instead." 
 
 "What else does she want?" inquired Peter. 
 
 "She didn't mention anything but to watch sunup, just 
 once, under that apple tree," said Mickey. "I don't 
 know what she wants; but from one day here, I could tell 
 you things she should have." 
 
 "Well go ahead and tell," said Peter. 
 
 "Will you agree not to break my neck 'til I get this 
 cream in the can, and what she keeps strained, and these 
 buckets washed?" asked Mickey. "I want to have her 
 job all done when she gets back, 'cause I promised her, and 
 that's quite a hike she's taking." 
 
 "Well I was 'riled' for a minute, but I might as well hold 
 myself," said Peter. "Looks like you were right." 
 
 "Strangers coming in can always see things that folks 
 on the job can't," consoled Mickey. 
 
 "Well go on and tell me what you've seen here Mickey!" 
 
 Mickey hoisted the fourth bucket. 
 
 "Well, I've seen the very nicest lady I ever saw, ex- 
 cepting my mother," said Mickey. "I've seen a man
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 377 
 
 'bout your size, that I like better than any man I know, 
 barring Mr. Douglas Bruce, and the bar is such a little 
 one it would take a microscope to find it." Peter laughed, 
 which was what Mickey hoped he would do, for he drew 
 a deep breath and went on with greater assurance: "I've 
 seen a place that I thought was a new edition of Heaven, 
 and it is, only it needs a few modern improvements '' 
 
 "Yes Mickey! The window, and what else?" 
 
 "You haven't looked at what I told you to about the 
 window yet," said Mickey. 
 
 "Well since you insist on it, I will," said Peter. 
 
 "And while you are in there," suggested Mickey, "after 
 you finish with that strip of brown oilcloth and the pans 
 and skillets adorning it, cotton up to that cook stove, 
 and imagine standing over it while it is roaring, to get 
 three meals a day, and all the baking, fruit canning, boil- 
 ing clothes, and such, and tell me if Lily's bed was in 
 so much hotter a place than your wife is, all but about 
 three hours each day." 
 
 Mickey listened as intently as he could for the sepa- 
 rator he dared not stop, heard not a sound for what 
 seemed a long time, and then came amazing ones. He 
 grinned sympathetically as Peter emerged red faced and 
 raging. 
 
 "And you're about the finest man I ever met, too," 
 commented Mickey, still busy with the cream. "You can 
 see what a comfort this separator must be, but it's the 
 only thing your nice lady has got, against so many for 
 your work it takes quite a large building to keep them in. 
 Junior was showing me last night and telling me what all
 
 378 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 those machines were made for. You know Peter, if there 
 was money for a hay rake, and a manure spreader, and a 
 wheel plow, and a disk, and a reaper, and a mower, and a 
 corn planter, and a corn cutter, and a cider press, and a 
 windmill, and a silo, and an automobile you know Peter, 
 there should have been enough for that window, and the 
 pump inside, and a kitchen sink, and a bread-mixer, and a 
 dish-washer; and if there wasn't any other single thing, 
 there ought to be some way you sell the wood, and use the 
 money for the kind of a summer stove that's only hot 
 under what you are cooking, and turns off the flame the 
 minute you finish. Honest there had Peter! I got a 
 little gasoline one in my room that's better than what your 
 nice lady has. The things she should have would cost 
 something, cost a lot for all I know, but I bet w r hat she 
 needs wouldn't take half the things in the building Junior 
 showed me did; and it couldn't be the start of what a sick 
 wife, and doctor bills, and strange women coming and go- 
 ing, and abusing you and the children would cost 
 
 "Shut up!" cried Peter. "That will do! Now you lis- 
 ten to me young man. Since you are so expert at seeing 
 things, and since you've traded work with my wife, to rest 
 her by changing her job, suppose you just keep your eyes 
 open, and make out a list of what she should have to do 
 her work convenient and easy as can be, and of course, 
 comfortably. That stove's hot yet! And breakfast been 
 over an hour too! Nothing like it must be going full blast, 
 and things steaming and frying!" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. 
 
 "Watch a few days, and then we'll talk it over. If it
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 379 
 
 is your train time, ride down with Junior, and I'll stay in 
 the house till she comes. I guess Little White Butterfly 
 won't wake up; and if she does, she'll be all right with me. 
 Mary dresses herself and Bobbie. Is Mary helping her 
 Ma right?" 
 
 "Well some," said Mickey. "Not all she could! But 
 her taking care of Bobbie is a big thing. Junior could do 
 a lot of things, but he doesn't seem to see them, and " 
 
 "And so could I?" asked Peter. "Is that the ticket?" 
 
 "Yes," said Mickey. 
 
 "All right young man," said Peter. "Fix us over! 
 We are ready for anything that will benefit Ma. She's 
 the pinwheel of this place. Now you scoot! I can see 
 her coming." 
 
 "It's our secret then?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "Yes, it's our secret!" answered Peter gravely. 
 
 Mickey took one long look at Peaches and went running 
 to the milk wagon. Junior offered to let him drive, so for 
 the first time he took the lines and guided a horse. He 
 was a happy boy as he spun on his heel waiting a few 
 minutes for the trolley. He sat in the car with no paper 
 in which to search for headlines, no anxiety as to whether 
 he could dispose of enough to keep Peaches from hunger 
 that night, sure of her safety and comfort. The future, col- 
 oured by what Mrs. Harding had said to him, took on such 
 a rosy glow it almost hurt his mental eyes. He revelled 
 in greater freedom from care than he ever had known. 
 He sat straighter, and curiously watched the people in the 
 car. When they entered the city and the car swung down 
 his street near the business centre, Mickey stepped off and
 
 3 8o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 hiding himself watched for the passing of the boy, on his 
 old route. Before long it came, "I like to sell papers," in 
 such good imitation of his tone and call that Mickey's face 
 grew grave and a half-jealous little ache began in his 
 heart. 
 
 "Course we're better off," he commented. "Course 
 I can't go back now, and I wouldn't if I could; but it 
 makes me want to swat any fellow using my call, and 
 taking my men. Gee, the kid is doing better than I 
 thought he could! B'lieve he's got the idea all right. I'll 
 just join the procession." 
 
 Mickey stepped into line and followed, pausing when- 
 ever a paper was sold, until he was sure that his men were 
 patronizing his substitute, then he overtook him. 
 
 "Good work, kid!" he applauded. "Been following 
 you and you're doing well. Lemme take a paper a second. 
 Yes, I thought so! You're leaving out the biggest scoop 
 on the sheet! Here, give them a laugh on this 'Chasing 
 Wrinkles.' How did you come to slide over it and not 
 bump enough to wake you up. Get on this sub-line, 
 'Males seeking beauty doctors to renew youth. " ! 
 
 "How would you cry it?" asked the boy. 
 
 "Aw looky! Looky! Looky!" Mickey shouted, hold- 
 ing his side with one hand and waving a paper with the 
 other. "All the old boys hiking to the beauty parlours. 
 Pinking up the glow of youth to beat Billie Burke. Cor- 
 ner on icicles; Billie gets left, 'cause the boys are using all 
 of them! Oh my! Wheel o' time oiled with cold cream 
 and reversed with an icicle! Morning paper! Tells you 
 how to put the cream on your face 'stead of in the coffee!
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 3 8r 
 
 Stick your head in the ice box at sixty, and come out six- 
 teen ! Awah get in line, gentlemen ! Don't block traffic !" 
 
 When the policemen scattered the crowd Mickey's sub- 
 stitute had not a paper remaining. With his pocket 
 full of change he was running to the nearest stand for a 
 fresh supply. Mickey went with him and watched with 
 critical eye while the boy tried a reproduction of what he 
 called "a daily scream!" The first time it was rather 
 flat. 
 
 "You ain't going at it right!" explained Mickey. "'Fore 
 you can make anybody laugh on this job, you must see 
 the fun of life yourself. Beauty parlours have always 
 been for the Swell Dames and the theatre ladies, who 
 pink up, while their gents hump to pay the bill. You 
 ought always take one paper home, and read it, so you 
 know what's going on in the world. Now from what 
 I've read, I know that the get-a-way of the beauty par- 
 lours is cold cream. And one of the show ladies the boys 
 are always wild over told the papers long ago 'bout how 
 she used icicles on her face to pink it up. Now if you'd 
 a-knowed this like you should, the minute you clapped 
 your peepers on that, 'Chasing Wrinkles,' you'd a-knowed 
 where your laugh came in to-day, like I've told you over 
 and over you must get it. Bet Chaffner put that there on 
 purpose for me. Which same gives me an idea. You 
 been calling the Hoc de Geezer war, and the light-weight 
 champeen of Mexico, and 'the psychological panic' some- 
 thing fine; but did you sell out on them? Not on your 
 topknot! You lost your load on the scream. Get the joke 
 of life soaked in your system good. On this, you make your-
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 self see the plutes, and the magnates, and the city officials 
 leaving their jobs, and hiking to the beauty parlours, to 
 beat the dames at their daily stunt of being creamed and 
 icicled and it's funny! When it's so funny to you that 
 you just howl about it, why it's catching! Didn't you see 
 me catch them with it? Now go on and do it again, and 
 get the scream in." 
 
 The boy began the cry with tears of laughter in his eyes. 
 He kept it up as he handed out papers and took in change. 
 Satisfied, Mickey called to him: "Tell your sire it's all 
 over but polishing the silver." 
 
 He started down the street glancing at clocks he was 
 passing, with nimble feet threading the crowds until he 
 reached the Herald office; there he dodged in and making 
 his way to the editorial desk he waited his chance. When 
 he saw an instant of pause in the work of the busy man, 
 he started his cry : " Morning papers ! I like to sell them ! " 
 and so on to the "Chasing Wrinkles." There because he 
 was excited, for he knew that his reception would depend 
 on how good a laugh he gave them, Mickey outdid himself. 
 Reporters waiting assignments crowded around him; Mr. 
 Chaffner beckoned, and Mickey stepped to him. 
 
 "Found it all right, did you, young man?" 
 
 "The scream lifted the load!" cried Mickey. "War, 
 and waste, and wickedness, didn't get a look in." 
 
 "I thought you'd like that!" laughed the editor. 
 
 "Biggest scoop yet!" said Mickey. "Why it took the 
 police to scatter the crowd. They struggled to get papers, 
 'til they looked like the bird on the coin they were passing 
 in, trying to escape the awful things it goes through on the
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 383 
 
 money, and get back to nature where perfectly good birds 
 belong. Honest, they did!" 
 
 "Have you any poetry for me yet?" 
 
 "No, but I'm headed that way," answered Mickey. 
 
 "How so?" inquired the editor. 
 
 "Why I've got another kid so he can do my stunt 'til 
 nobody knows the difference, and I've gone into Mr. 
 Bruce's office, and we're after the grafters." 
 
 "Douglas Bruce?" queried Mr. Chaffner. 
 
 "Yes," said Mickey. "He's my boss, and say, he's the 
 finest man you ever met; and his Joy Lady is nice as he is, 
 and prettier than moonshine on the park lake. I never 
 saw a lady who could hold a candle to Miss Leslie Winton, 
 and they just love to tell folks they're engaged." 
 
 Suddenly the editor arose from his chair, gripped his 
 desk, leaned across it toward Mickey, and almost knocked 
 him from his feet with one word. 
 
 "What?" 
 
 Mickey staggered. At last he recovered his breath. 
 
 "Mr. Bruce and Miss Leslie don't care if I tell it," he 
 defended. "They all the time tell it!" 
 
 "What?" 
 
 "Why that they are going to be married, soon as Mr. 
 Bruce gets the grafter who's robbing the taxpayers of Mul- 
 tiopolis, and collects his big fee. That's what." 
 
 As suddenly as he had arisen Mr. Chaffher dropped 
 back, and in a stupefied way still looked at Mickey. Then: 
 "You come with me," Mr. Chaffner said rising, and he en- 
 tered a small room and closed the door. 
 
 "Now you tell me all about this engagement."
 
 384 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Maybe they don't want it in the papers yet," said 
 Mickey. "I guess I'll let Mr. Bruce do his own talk- 
 ing." 
 
 "But you said they told everybody." 
 
 "So they do," said Mickey. "And of course they'd tell 
 you. You can call him. His number is 5OO-X." 
 
 The editor made a note of it, studying Mickey. 
 
 "Yes, that would be the better way, of course," he 
 agreed. "You have a long head, young man. And so 
 you think Miss Leslie Winton is a fine young lady?" 
 
 "Surest thing you know," said Mickey. "Why let me 
 tell you " 
 
 And then in a few swift words, Mickey sketched in the 
 young woman so intelligent she had selected him from all 
 the other "newsies" by a description, and sent him to 
 Mr. Bruce; how she had dolls ready to give away, and poor 
 children might ride in her car; how she lived with "darling 
 old Daddy," and there Mickey grew enthusiastic, and told 
 of the rest house, and then the renting of the cabin on At- 
 water by the most considerate of daughters for her father 
 and her lover, and when he could not think of another com- 
 mendatory word to say, Mickey paused, while a dazed man 
 muttered a word so low the boy scarcely heard it. 
 
 "I don't know why you say that /" cried Mickey. 
 
 "Ommh!" said Mr. Chaffher, slowly. "I don't either, 
 only I didn't understand they were engaged. It's my busi- 
 ness to find and distribute news, and get it fresh, 'scoop it/ 
 as our term is, and so, Mickey, when investigations are 
 going on, and everybody knows a denou a big surprise 
 is coming, in order to make sure that my paper gets in on
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 385 
 
 the ground floor, I make some investigation for myself, 
 and sometimes by accident, sometimes by intuition, some- 
 times by sharp deduction we happen to land before the in- 
 vestigators. Of course we have personal, financial, and 
 political reasons for not spoiling the game. Now we 
 haven't gone into the City Hall investigation as Bruce has 
 and we can't show figures, but we know enough to under- 
 stand where he's coming out; so when the gig upsets, we 
 have our side ready and we'll embroider his figures with 
 what the public is entitled to, in the way of news." 
 
 "Sure! But I don't see why you act so funny!" 
 
 "Oh it's barely possible that I've got ahead of your boss; 
 on a few features of his investigation." 
 
 "Aw-w-wh!" said Mickey. "Well I hope you ain't 
 going to rush in and spoil his scoop. You see he doesn't 
 know who he's after, himself. We talk about it a lot of 
 times. I tell him how I've sold papers, and seen men like 
 he's chasing get their dose, and go sick and white, and 
 can't ever face men straight again; but he says stealing is 
 stealing, and cut where it will, those who rob the tax- 
 payers must be exposed. I told him maybe he'd be sur- 
 prised, and maybe he'd be sorry; but he says it's got to be 
 stopped, no matter who gets hurt." 
 
 "Well he's got his nerve!" cried the editor. 
 
 "Yes!" agreed Mickey. "He's so fine himself, he 
 thinks no other men worth saving could go wrong. I told 
 him I wished the men he was after would break their necks 
 'fore he gets them, but he goes right on." 
 
 "Mickey, you figure closer than your boss does." 
 
 "In one way I do" conceded Mickey. "It's like this:
 
 386 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 he knows books, and men, and how things should be; but I 
 know how they are. See?" 
 
 "I certainly see," said the intent listener. "Mickey, 
 when it comes to the place where you think you know bet- 
 ter than your boss, while it's bad business for me to tell 
 you, keep your eye open, and maybe you can save him. 
 Books and theories are all right, but there are times when 
 a man comes a cropper on them. You watch, and if you 
 think he's riding for a fall, you come skinning and tell me, 
 not over the 'phone, come and tell me. Here, take this, it 
 will get you to me any time, no matter where I am or what 
 I'm doing. Understand?" 
 
 "You think Mr. Bruce is going to get into trouble?" 
 
 "His job is to get other people into trouble 
 
 "But he says he ain't got a thing to do with it," said 
 Mickey. "He says they get themselves into trouble." 
 
 "That's so too," commented Mr. Chaffner. "Anyway, 
 keep your mouth tight shut, and your eyes wide open, and 
 if you think your boss is getting into deep water, you come 
 and tell me. I want things to go right with you, because 
 I'm depending on that poem for my front page, soon." 
 
 Mickey held out his hand. 
 
 " Sure ! " he agreed. " I'm in an awful good place now to 
 work up the poetry piece, being right out among the cows 
 and clover. And about Mr. Bruce, gee! I wish he was 
 plowing corn. I just hate his job he's doing now. Sure 
 if I see rocks I'll make a run for you. Thanks Boss!" 
 
 Mickey had lost time, and he hurried, but things seemed 
 to be happening, for as he left the elevator and sped down 
 the hall, he ran into Mr. James Minturn. With a hasty
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 387 
 
 glance he drew back, and darted for the office door. Mr. 
 Minturn's face turned a dull red. 
 
 "One minute, young man!" he called. 
 
 " I'm late," said Mickey shortly. " I must hurry." 
 
 " Bruce is late too. I just came from his office and he 
 isn't there," answered Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Well I want to get it in order before he comes." 
 
 " In fact you want anything but to have a word to say to 
 me!" hazarded Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Well then, since you are such a good guesser, I ain't 
 just crazy about you," said Mickey shortly. 
 
 "And I'm tired of having you run from me as if I were 
 afflicted with smallpox," said Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "If your blood is right, smallpox ain't much," said 
 Mickey. "I haven't a picture of myself running from 
 that, if it really wanted a word with me." 
 
 " But you have a picture of yourself running from me?" 
 
 "Maybe I do," conceded Mickey. 
 
 "I've noticed it on occasions so frequent and conspicu- 
 ous that others, no doubt, will do the same," said Mr. Min- 
 turn. "If you are all Bruce thinks you, then you should 
 give a man credit for what he tries to do. You surprised 
 me too deeply for words with the story you brought me one 
 day. I knew most of your facts from experience, better 
 than you did, except the one horrible thing that shocked 
 me speechless; but Mickey, when I had time to adjust my- 
 self, I made the investigations you suggested, and proved 
 what you said. I deserve your scorn for not acting faster, 
 but what I had to do couldn't be done in a day, and for the 
 boys' sake it had to be done as privately as possible.
 
 388 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 There's no longer any reason why you should regard me as 
 
 a monster 
 
 "I'm awful glad you told me," Mickey said. "I surely 
 did have you sized up something scandalous. And yet I 
 ^couldn't quite make out how, if my view was right, Mr. 
 Bruce and Miss Leslie would think so much of you." 
 
 "They are friends I'm proud to have," said Mr. Min- 
 turn. "And I hope you'll consider being a friend to me, 
 and to my boys also. If ever a time comes when I can do 
 .anything for you, let me know." 
 
 "Now right on that point, pause a moment," said 
 Mickey. "You are a friend to my boss?" 
 
 "I certainly am, and I'm under deep obligations to Miss 
 Winton. If ever my home becomes once more what it 
 was to start with, it will be her work. Could a man bear 
 heavier obligation than that?" 
 
 "Well hardly," said Mickey. "Course there wouldn't 
 likely ever be anything you could do for Miss Leslie that 
 would square that deal; but I'm worried about my boss 
 something awful." 
 
 "Why Mickey?" asked Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "That investigation you started him on.'\ 
 
 "I did start him on that. What's the matter?" 
 
 "Well the returns are about all in," said Mickey, "and 
 the man who draws the candy suit is about ready to put 
 it on. See?" 
 
 "Good! Exactly what he should do." 
 
 "Yes exactly," agreed Mickey dryly, "but who do 
 you figure it is? We got some good friends in the City 
 Hall."
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 389 
 
 "Always is somebody you don't expect," said Mr. Min- 
 turn. "Don't waste any sympathy on them, Mickey." 
 
 "Not unless in some way my boss got himself into 
 trouble," said Mickey. 
 
 "There's no possible way he could." 
 
 "About the smartest man in Multiopolis thinks yes," 
 said Mickey. "I just been talking with him." 
 
 "Who, Mickey?" asked Mr. Minturn, instantly. 
 
 "Chaffner of the Herald," said Mickey. 
 
 "What!" 
 
 Mr. Minturn seized the boy's arm, shoved him insid* 
 his door and closed it. Mickey pulled away and turned a 
 belligerent face upward. 
 
 "Now nix on knocking me down with your 'whats!" 
 he cried. "I just been hammered meller with his, and 
 dragged into his room, and shut up, and scared stiff, about 
 twenty minutes ago." 
 
 " The devil you say ! " exploded Mr. Minturn. 
 
 " No, I said Chaffner ! " insisted Mickey. " Chaffner of the 
 Herald. I'm going to write a poetry piece for his front page, 
 some day soon now. I been selling his paper all my life." 
 
 "And so you're a friend of Chaffner's?" 
 
 "Oh not bosom and inseparable," explained Mickey. 
 "I haven't seen so awful much of him, but when I do, we 
 get along fine." 
 
 "And he said ?" questioned Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Just what I been afraid of all the time," said Mickey. 
 "That these investigations at times got into places you 
 didn't look for, and made awful trouble; and that my boss 
 might get it with his."
 
 390 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Mickey, you will promise me something?" asked Mr. 
 Minturn. "You see I started Mr. Bruce on this trying to 
 help him to a case that would bring him into prominence, 
 so if it should go wrong, it's in a way through me. If you 
 think Douglas is unlike himself, or worried, will you tell 
 me? Will you?" 
 
 "Why surest thing you know!" cried Mickey. "Why 
 I should say I would! Gee, you're great too! I think I'll 
 like you awful well when we get acquainted." 
 
 Mickey was busy when Bruce entered, and with him 
 was Leslie Winton. They brought the breath of spring 
 mellowing into summer, freighted with emanations of real 
 love, touched and tinctured with joy so habitual it had 
 become spontaneous on the part of Leslie Winton, and this 
 morning contagious with Douglas Bruce. Mickey stood 
 silent, watched them closely, and listened. So in three 
 minutes, from ragged scraps and ejaculations effervescing 
 from what was running over in their brains, he knew that 
 they had taken an early morning plunge into Atwater, 
 landed a black bass, had a breakfast of their own making, 
 at least in so far as gathering wild red raspberries from the 
 sand pit near the bridge; and then they had raced to the 
 Multiopolis station to start Mr. Winton on a trip west to 
 try to sell his interest in some large land holdings there, the 
 care of which he was finding burdensome. 
 
 "Heavens, how I hope Daddy makes that sale!" cried 
 Leslie. "I've been so worried about him this summer." 
 
 "I wondered at you not going with him," said Douglas. 
 
 "He didn't seem to want me," said Leslie. "He said it 
 was a flying trip and he was forced to be back before some
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 391 
 
 reports from his office were filed; so he thought I wouldn't 
 enjoy it; and for the first time in my life he told me dis- 
 tinctly that he didn't have time for me. Fancy Daddy! 
 I can't understand it." 
 
 "I've noticed that he has been brooding and pre- 
 occupied of late, not at all like himself," said Douglas. 
 "Have you any idea what troubles him?" 
 
 "Of course! He told me!" said Leslie. "It's Mr. 
 Swain. When Daddy was a boy, Mr. Swain was his 
 father's best friend, and when grandfather died, he asked 
 him to guide Daddy, and he not only did that, but he 
 opened his purse and started him in business. Now Mr. 
 Swain is growing old, and some of his investments have 
 gone wrong; just when political changes made business 
 close as could be, he lost heavily; and then came the war. 
 There was no way but for Daddy to stay here and fight 
 to save what he could for him. He told me early last 
 fall; we talked of it again in the winter, and this spring 
 most of all I've told you!" 
 
 "Yes I know! I wish I could help!" said Douglas. 
 
 "I do too! I wish it intensely," said Leslie. "When 
 father comes, we'll ask him. We're young and strong, 
 and we should stand by. I never saw Daddy in such a 
 state. He must sell that land. He said so. He said 
 last night he'd be forced to sell if he only got half its 
 value, and that wouldn't be enough." 
 
 "Enough for what?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "To help Mr. Swain," said Leslie. 
 
 "He's going to use his fortune?" queried Douglas. 
 
 "I don't know that Daddy has holdings large enough to
 
 392 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 deserve the word," said Leslie. "He's going to use what 
 he has. I urged him to; it's all he can do." 
 
 "Did you take into consideration that it may end in his 
 failure?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "I did," said Leslie, "and I forgot to tell him, but I will 
 as soon as he comes back: he can have all mother left me, 
 too, if he needs it." 
 
 "Leslie, you're a darling, but have you ever had even a 
 small taste of poverty?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "No! But I've always been curious, if I did have, to 
 see if I couldn't so manage whatever might be my share, 
 that it would appear to the world without that peculiar 
 state of grime which always seems to distinguish it," said 
 the girl. "I'm not afraid of poverty, and I'm not afraid 
 of work; it's dishonour that would kill me. Daddy ac- 
 cepted obligations; if they involve him, which includes 
 me also, then to the last cent we possess, we pay 
 back." 
 
 Mickey drew the duster he handled between vacuum 
 days across a table and steadily watched first Douglas, 
 then Leslie, both of whom had forgotten him. 
 
 "That should be good enough for Daddy; what about 
 me ? " asked Douglas. " If ever I get in a close place, does 
 the same hold good?" 
 
 "If I know what you are doing, surely!" 
 
 "I knew you were a ' Bearer of Morning' first time I saw 
 you," said Douglas. " But we are forgetting Mickey." 
 
 Mickey promptly stepped forward, putting away the 
 duster to be ready for errands. 
 
 "How are you this morning?" asked Douglas.
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 393 
 
 "Fine!" answered Mickey. "I've taken my family to 
 the country, too!" 
 
 "Why Mickey! without saying a word!" cried Douglas. 
 
 "Well it happened so fast," said Mickey, "and I didn't 
 want to bother you when your head was so full of your old 
 investigation and your own moving." 
 
 "Did you hear that Leslie?" he asked. "Mickey dis- 
 likes my investigation as much as the man who comes out 
 short is going to, any day now. So you've moved Peaches 
 to the country? You should have told me, first." 
 
 "I'm sorry if you don't like it," said Mickey. "You 
 see my room was getting awful hot. I never was there 
 days this time of year, and nights I slept on the fire- 
 escape; all right for me, but it wouldn't do for Lily. Why 
 should I have told you?" 
 
 "Because Miss Winton had plans for her," explained 
 Douglas. "She intended to take her to Atwater, and she 
 even contemplated having her back examined for you." 
 
 Mickey's eyes danced and over his face spread a slow 
 grin of comprehension. 
 
 "Well?" ejaculated Douglas. 
 
 "Nothing!" said Mickey. 
 
 "Well?" demanded Douglas. 
 
 Mickey laughed outright. Then he sobered suddenly 
 and spoke gravely, directly to Miss Winton. 
 
 "Thank you for thinking of it, and planning for her," 
 he said. "I was afraid you would." 
 
 "Thank me for something you feared I would do! 
 Mickey, aren't you getting things mixed ? " 
 
 "Thank you for thinking of Lily and wanting to help
 
 394 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 her," explained Mickey, "but she doesn't need you. She's 
 mine and I'm going to keep her; so what I can do for her 
 will have to be enough, until I can do better." 
 
 " I see," said Leslie. " But suppose that she should have 
 attention at once, that you can't give her, and I can?" 
 
 "Then I'd be forced to let you, even if it took her from 
 me," agreed Mickey. "But thank the Lord, things ain't 
 that way. I didn't take my say-so for it; I went to the 
 head nurse of the Star of Hope; she's gone to the new 
 Elizabeth Home now; she loves to nurse children best. 
 All the time from the first day she's told me how, and 
 showed me, so Lily has been taken care of right, you 
 needn't worry about that. And where she is now, if 
 she was a queen-lady she couldn't have grander; honest 
 she couldn't!" 
 
 "But Mickey, how are you going to pay for all that?" 
 queried Douglas. 
 
 " Easy as fallingoff a car in a narrow skirt," said Mickey. 
 "'Member that big house where things are Heaven-white, 
 and a yard full of trees, and the fence corners are cut with 
 the shears, and the street I mean the road swept with a 
 broom, this side the golf grounds about two miles?" 
 
 "Yes," said Douglas. "The woman there halted my 
 car one evening and spoke to me about you." 
 
 "Oh she did?" exclaimed Mickey. "Well I hope you. 
 gave me a good send-off, 'cause she's a lady I'm most par- 
 ticular about. You see I stopped there for a drink, the 
 day you figured instead of playing, and she told me about 
 a boy who was to be sent out by the Herald and hadn't 
 come, and as she was ready, and interested, she was dis-
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 395 
 
 appointed. So I just said to her if the boy didn't come, 
 how'd she like to have a nice, good little girl that wouldn't 
 ever be the least bother. Next day she came to see us, 
 and away Lily went sailing to the country in a big auto- 
 mobile, and she isn't coming back 'til my rooms are cool, 
 if she can be spared then." 
 
 " But how are you going to pay, Mickey? Most people 
 only take children for a week ?" 
 
 "Yes I know," said Mickey. "But these folks haven't 
 ever tried it before, and they don't know the ropes, so 
 we're doing it our own way, and it works something 
 grand." 
 
 "If they are suited " said Douglas. "That place 
 
 is far better than where we feel so comfortable." 
 
 "We started this morning," said Mickey. "The lady 
 and I traded jobs; she sat on a hill under an apple tree 
 and watched sunrise. I washed the dishes, sep'rated the 
 cream, and scrubbed the porch for her. When Lily wakes 
 up, the lady is going to bathe, rub, feed her, and see to her 
 like she owned her, to pay me back. It's a bargain! 
 You couldn't beat it, could you?" 
 
 "Of course if you want to turn yourself into a house- 
 maid!" said Douglas irritably. 
 
 Mickey laughed, and Leslie sent a slightly frowning 
 glance toward Douglas. 
 
 "You can search me!" cried the boy, throwing out his 
 hands in his familiar gesture. "Why I just love to! I 
 always helped mother! Pay? I'll pay all right; the nice 
 lady will say I do, and so will Peter. It's my most im- 
 portant job to make her glad of me as I am of her. And
 
 396 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 if you put it up to me, I'd a lot rather have my job than 
 yours; and I bet I get more joy from it for my family!" 
 
 "Croaker!" laughed Bruce. 
 
 "'Tain't going to be a scream for the fellow who come* 
 short," warned Mickey. 
 
 "So you're planning not to allow me to do anything for 
 Lily?" inquired Miss Winton. 
 
 "Well there's something you can do this minute if 
 you'd like," said Mickey. "I was going to hurry up and 
 see my Sunshine Nurse, but it's a long way to the new 
 hospital, and you could do as well, if you would." 
 
 "Mickey, I'd love to. What is it? And may I see 
 your family? You know I haven't had a peep yet." 
 
 "Well soon now, you may," said Mickey. "You see 
 I ain't quite ready." 
 
 "Mickey, what do you know about the new Elizabeth 
 Home?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Only that a rich lady gave her house and money, and 
 that my Sunshine Nurse is going to be there after this. I 
 was going for my first trip to-night." 
 
 "I wondered," said Douglas. "Mickey, when you get 
 there, you'll find that you've been there before" 
 
 "My eye!" cried Mickey. 
 
 "Fftt! Mr. Minturn did put his foot down, and took 
 his boys " began Douglas. 
 
 "Yes he was telling me this morning. That's what I 
 get for stopping at the first page. If I'd a-looked inside, 
 bet I'd have known that long ago." 
 
 "He was telling you?" queried Douglas. 
 
 "Yes. I guess I must kind of shied at him 'til he
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 397 
 
 noticed it; I didn't know I did, but he caught me and told 
 me his troubles by force. We shook hands to quit on. 
 Say, he's just fine when you know him, and there doesn't 
 seem to be a thing on earth he wouldn't do for you, Miss 
 Leslie. Why he said if ever he found happiness again, and 
 his home become what it should, it would be because you 
 were sorry for him, and fixed things." 
 
 "Mickey, did he really?" rejoiced the girl. "Douglas, 
 when may Mickey show me what he wants me to do?" 
 
 "Right now," he answered. "I got a load of books 
 while he was away yesterday and I haven't started them 
 yet. Now is the best time." 
 
 When Mickey made a leap from the trolley platform 
 that night, at what he already had named Cold Cream 
 Junction, he was almost buried under boxes. He stepped 
 high and prideful, for he had collected the money from his 
 paper route and immediately spent some of it under Leslie 
 Winton's supervision. 
 
 Pillow bolstered, on the front porch, on his comfort lay 
 the tiny girl he loved. Mickey stopped and made a de- 
 tailed inspection. Peaches leaned forward and reached 
 toward him; her greeting was indescribably sweet. Mickey 
 dropped the bundles and went into her arms; even in his 
 joy he noted a new strength in their grip on him, an un- 
 usual clinging. He drew back half alarmed. 
 
 "You been a good girl?" he queried suspiciously. 
 
 "Jus' as good!" asserted Peaches. 
 
 "You didn't go and say any ?" 
 
 "Not ever Mickey-lovest ! Not one!" she cried. "I 
 aint even thinked one! That will help, Peter says sol"
 
 398 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "You have been washed and fed and everything all 
 right?" he proceeded. 
 
 "Jus* as right!" she insisted. 
 
 "You like the nice lady?" he went on. 
 
 "Jus* love the nice lady, an' Mary, an* Bobbie, an* 
 Peter, an' Junior, jus' love all of them!" she affirmed. 
 
 "Well I hope I don't bust!" he said. "I never was so 
 glad as I am that everything is good for you." 
 
 "They's two things that ain't good." 
 
 "Well if things ain't right here, with what everybody's 
 doing for you, they ought to be!" cried Mickey. "You 
 cut complaining right out, Miss Chicken!" 
 
 "You forgot to set my lesson, an' I ain't had my po'try 
 piece for two days. That ain't complainin'." 
 
 "No 'tain't honey," conceded Mickey regretfully. "No 
 'tain't! That's just all right. I thought you were going 
 to start kicking, and I wasn't going to stand for it. Course 
 I'll set your lesson; course I'll make up your piece, but you 
 must give me a little time. I was talking with Mr. 
 Chaffner of the Herald, our paper you know, and he's be- 
 ginning to get in a hurry about his piece, too." 
 
 "I want mine first!" demanded Peaches. 
 
 "Sure! You'll get it first! Always! But I'm going to 
 do something for you before I make it, 'cause I won't 
 know how it goes 'til afterward. See?" 
 
 "What you going to do?" she questioned. "What's 
 all the bundles? My they look excitements!" 
 
 "And so they are!" triumphed Mickey. "Where are 
 all the folks? Do they leave you alone like this?" 
 
 "No, they don't leave me alone only when I'm asleep in
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 399 
 
 the room," said Peaches. "They saw you coming an' 
 went away 'cause they know families likes to be alone, 
 sometimes. Ain't they smart to know that r " 
 
 "They are!" said Mickey. "First, you come to your 
 bed a little while. I got something for you." 
 
 "Ooh Mickey! Those bundles jus' look !" 
 
 "Now you hold on. You wait and see, Miss!" 
 
 Mickey carried her in then he returned for the boxes. 
 He opened one and from it selected a pair of pink stockings 
 and slipped them on Peaches; then tiny, soft buckskin 
 moccasins embroidered and tied with ribbons to match the 
 hose. Peaches squealed and clapped her hand over her 
 mouth to muffle the sound; but Mrs. Harding heard and 
 came to the door. Mickey asked for help. 
 
 "Young ladies who are going automobiling and taking 
 walks are well enough to have dresses, and things that all 
 good girls have," he announced. " But I'm a little dubious 
 about how these things go. Will you dress her?" 
 
 "Yes," said Mrs. Harding. "You fill the water bucket 
 and the wood box, and start the fire for supper." 
 
 Mrs. Harding looked over the contents of the box and 
 from plain soft pieces of underwear chose a gauze shirt, a 
 dainty combination suit and a tucked and trimmed pet- 
 ticoat, while Peaches laughed and sobbed for pure joy. 
 Then Mickey came, and Mrs. Harding went away. After 
 various trials he decided on a white dress with pink rib- 
 bons run in the neck, sleeves, and belt, slipping it on her 
 and carefully fastening it. 
 
 "Mickey, I want the glass!" she begged. "Please, oh 
 please hurry, Mickey."
 
 400 ICHAEL O'HALLGRAN 
 
 "Now you just wait, Miss Chicken!" said Mickey. 
 
 Then he brushed her hair and put on a new pink ribbon, 
 not so large as those she had, but much more becoming. 
 He laid a soft warm little gray sweater with white collar 
 and cuffs in reach, and in turning it she discovered a hand- 
 kerchief and a pair of gloves in one pocket. Immediately 
 she searched the other and produced a purse with five pen- 
 nies in it. Then for no reason at all, Peaches began to cry. 
 
 "Well Miss Chicken!" exclaimed Mickey in surprise, 
 "I thought you'd be pleased!" 
 
 "Pleased!" sobbed Peaches. "Pleased! Mickey, I'm 
 dam I'm busted!" 
 
 "Oh well then, go on and cry, if you want to," agreed 
 Mickey. " But you'd look much nicer to show Mrs. Hard- 
 ing and Peter if you wouldn't!" 
 
 Peaches immediately wiped her eyes. Mickey lifted 
 and carried her back to the porch, placing her in a pillow- 
 piled big chair. Then he put the gloves on her hands, set 
 a hat on her head and tied the pink ribbons. Peaches both 
 laughed and cried at that, while the Harding family came 
 in because they could not wait. Mickey raised and put in 
 Peaches' shaking fingers the crowning glory of any small 
 girl: a wonderful little pink parasol. Peaches appeared for 
 a minute as if a faint were imminent. 
 
 "Now do you see why I couldn't come with a poetry piece 
 when my head was so full of these things?" 
 
 "Yes Mickey, but you will before ni^ht?" she begged. 
 
 "You want it even now?" he marvelled. 
 
 "More 'an the passol, even!" she declared. 
 
 "Well you fool little sweet kid!" cried Mickey and
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 401 
 
 choked. He fled around the house as Peter came out. In 
 his ears as he went sounded Peter's big voice and the de- 
 lighted cries of the family. 
 
 "I want Mickey!" wailed Peaches. 
 
 He heard her call and ran back fast for fear he might be 
 so slow reaching her that Peter would serve. But to his 
 joy he found that he alone would answer. 
 
 "I want to see me!" demanded Peaches. 
 
 "Sure you do!" cried Peter. "I'll just hand down the 
 big hall mirror so you can see all of you at once." 
 
 He brought it and set it before her. Peaches stared and 
 drew back. She cried, "Aw-w ah!" in a harsh, half- 
 scared voice. She gripped Mickey with one hand and the 
 parasol with the other; she leaned and peeped, and mar- 
 velled, and smiled at a fully clothed little girl in the glass, 
 while the image smiled back. Peaches thought of letting 
 go of Mickey to touch her hat and straighten her skirt, but 
 felt so lost without him, that she handed Peter the parasol, 
 and used that hand, while the other clung to her refuge. 
 When Mickey saw the treasure go in his favour, he swal- 
 lowed lumps of emotion so big that the Hardings could see 
 them running down his throat. Peaches intent on the 
 glass smiled, grimaced, tilted her head, and finally began 
 flirting outrageously with herself, until all of them laughed 
 and recalled her. She looked at Peter, smiled her most 
 winsome smile and exclaimed: "Well ain't I the " 
 
 "Now you go easy, Miss Chicken," warned Mickey. 
 
 "Mickey, if you hadn't stopped me I'd done it sure!" 
 sobbed Peaches, collapsing against him. !0 F I had, would 
 you a-took these bu'ful things 'way from me?"
 
 402 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 " No I wouldn't ! " said Mickey. " I couldn't to save me. 
 But I should!" 
 
 "Mickey, I'm so tired," she said. "Take my hat an* 
 put it where I can see it, an' my passol, an' my coat; gee, 
 I don't have to be wrapped in sheets no more, an' lay me 
 down. Quick Mickey, I'm sick-like." 
 
 "Well I ought to had the sense not to spring so much all 
 at once," said Mickey, "but it all seemed to belong. Sure 
 I will, you poor kid!" 
 
 "And Mickey, you won't forget the lesson and the 
 po'try piece?" she panted. 
 
 "No, I won't forget," promised Mickey, as he stretched 
 her among her treasures and watched her fall asleep even 
 while he slipped the gloves from her fingers. 
 
 Next morning she found the lesson and the poetry on 
 her slate. Mrs. Harding bathed and clothed her in the 
 little garments, and showed her enough more for the 
 changes she would need, even two finer dresses for Sunday. 
 She left the coat, hat, and parasol in reach. Then Peaches 
 resolutely took up her pencil and set herself to copy the 
 lines without knowing enough of the words to really 
 understand; but she was extremely well acquainted with 
 one word that Mickey had said "just flew out of his mouth 
 when he looked at her," and in her supreme satisfac- 
 tion over her new possessions she was sure the lines must 
 be concerning them. Most of all she was delighted 
 with her slippers. A hundred times that morning she 
 looked down, wiggled her toes and moved her feet to 
 see them better. Between whiles she copied over and 
 over:
 
 THE FINGERS IN THE PIE 403 
 
 LILY 
 
 Miss L. P. O'Halloran daily went walking, 
 
 In slippers so nifty the neighbours were talking. 
 
 The minute she raised her gay pink parasol 
 
 The old red cow began to friskily bawl. 
 
 When they observed the neat coat on her back, 
 
 All the guineas in the orchard cried: "Rack! Pot rack!" 
 
 She was so lovely a bird flying her way, 
 
 Sang "Sweet, sweet, sweet!" all the rest of the day. 
 
 Peter came in to visit a few minutes, so she gave him the 
 slate to see if he could read her copy, and by this ruse she 
 found what the lines were. She was so overjoyed she 
 opened her lips and then clapped both hands over them, to 
 smother the ejaculation at her tongue's end. To distract 
 Peter she stuck out her foot and moved it for him to see. 
 
 "Ain't that pretty, an' jus' as soft and fine?" she asked. 
 
 "Yes," said Peter. "They remind me of a flower called 
 'Lady Slipper,' that grows along the edge of the woods. 
 It's that shape and the prettiest gold yellow, but little, 
 they'd about fit your doll." 
 
 "Oh Peter, could you get me one? I want to see." 
 
 "Why I would, but they are all gone now, honey," 
 answered Peter. "Next year I'll remember and bring 
 you some when they bloom. But it's likely by that time 
 you can go yourself, and see them." 
 
 "Do you honest think it Peter?" asked Peaches, lean- 
 ing forward eagerly. 
 
 "Yes I honest think it," repeated Peter emphatically. 
 
 "But I won't be here then," Peaches reminded him. 
 
 "Well it won't be my fault, if you're not," said Peter.
 
 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 INITIATIONS IN AN ANCIENT AND HONOURABLE 
 BROTHERHOOD 
 
 " "1^ "TOW father, you said if I'd help till after har- 
 
 ^W. 
 
 ^k vest, I could go to Multiopolis and hunt a job," 
 
 J^ ^j Junior reminded Peter. "When may I?" 
 
 "I remember," said Peter. "You may start Monday 
 morning if you want to. Ma and I have talked it over, 
 and if you're bound to leave us, I guess there'd never be a 
 better time. I can get Jud Jason to drive the cream wagon 
 for me, and I'll do the best I can at the barn. I had hoped 
 that we'd be partners and work together all our days; but 
 if you have decided upon leaving us, of course you won't 
 be satisfied till you've done it." 
 
 "Well I can try," said Junior, "and if I don't like it I 
 can come back." 
 
 "I don't know about that," objected Peter. "Of 
 course I'd have other help hired; your room would be 
 occupied and your work contracted for " 
 
 "Well I hadn't figured on that," he said. "I supposed 
 I could go and try it, and if I didn't like it I could come 
 home. Couldn't I come home Ma?" 
 
 Nancy slowly became a greenish white colour; but the 
 situation had been discussed so often, it worried her 
 dreadfully; now that it had to be met, evasion would 
 
 404
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 405 
 
 do no good. Peter grimly watched her. He knew she 
 was struggling with a woman's inborn impulse to be the 
 haven of her children, her son, her first-born, especially. 
 He was surprised to hear her saying: "Why I hardly think 
 so Junior, it wouldn't be a right start in life. You must 
 figure that whatever kind of work you find, or whoever you 
 work for, there will be things you won't like or think fair, 
 but if you are going to be your own man, you must begin 
 like a man; and of course a man doesn't go into business 
 with his mind made up to run for his mother's petticoats, 
 the first thing that displeases him. No, I guess if you go, 
 you must start with your mind made up to stay till the 
 October term of school opens, anyway." 
 
 "Then we'll call that settled," said Peter. "You may 
 go with Mickey on the Monday morning car and we prob- 
 ably won't see you again till you are one of the leading 
 business men of Multiopolis, and drive out in your auto- 
 mobile. Have you decided which make you'll get?" 
 
 "Well from what I've learned driving yours, if I were 
 buying one myself, Fd get a Glide-by," said Junior. 
 "They strike me as the best car on the market." 
 
 Peter glanced sharply at his son. When he saw that 
 the answer was perfectly sincere, his heart almost played 
 him the trick he had expected from his wife. 
 
 "All right Ma, gather up his clothes and get them 
 washed, and have him ready," said Peter. 
 
 "I thought maybe you'd take me in the car and sort of 
 look around with me," said Junior. 
 
 "I don't see how I am going to do it, with both our 
 work piled on me," said Peter. "And besides, I'm a
 
 406 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 farmer born and bred; I wouldn't have the first idea about 
 how to get a boy a job in the city or what he ought to do 
 or have. Mickey is on to all that; he'll go with you, won't 
 you Mickey?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "And you can save a lot by 
 using my room. It is high, but it's clean "- Junior 
 scowled but Mickey proceeded calmly "and while it 
 gets hot in the daytime, if you open the door at night, and 
 push the bed before the window, it soon cools off, while 
 very hottest times I always take to the fire-escape. It's 
 nice and cool there." 
 
 "Of course! That will be the ticket," said Peter heart- 
 ily. "A boy starting with everything to learn couldn't 
 expect to earn much, and when you haven't Ma and me to 
 depend on for your board you'll be glad to have the bed 
 free. Thank you Mickey, that's fine!" 
 
 Junior did not look as if he thought it were. Pres- 
 ently he asked: "How much money ought I to take to start 
 on, Mickey?" 
 
 "Hully gee!" said Mickey. "Why your fare in! You're 
 going to make money, kid, not to spend it. If I was 
 turned loose there with just one cent I'd be flying by 
 night, and if I hadn't the cent, I'd soon earn it." 
 
 "How could you Mickey?" asked Junior eagerly. 
 
 "With or without?" queried Mickey. 
 
 "Both!" exclaimed Junior. 
 
 "Well, 'without,'" said Mickey, "I'd keep my lamps 
 trimmed and burning, and I'd catch a lady falling off a 
 car, or pick up a purse, or a kid, or run an errand. 'With/ 
 there'd be only one thing I'd think of, because papers are
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 407 
 
 my game. I'd buy one for a penny and sell it for two; 
 buy two, sell for four; you know the multiplication table, 
 don't you? But of course you don't want a street job, 
 you want in a factory or a store. If you could do what 
 you like best, what would it be Junior?" 
 
 Junior opened his mouth several times and at last ad- 
 mitted he hadn't thought that far: "Why I don't know." 
 
 "Well," said Mickey calmly, "there's making things, 
 that's factories. There's selling them, that's stores. 
 There's doctors, and lawyers, that's professional, like 
 my boss. And there's office-holders, like the men he is 
 after, but of course you'd have to be old enough to vote 
 and educated enough to do business, and have enough 
 money earned at something else to buy your office; 
 that's too far away. Now if you don't like the street, 
 there's the other three. The quickest money would be 
 in the first two. If you were making things, what would 
 you make?" 
 
 "Automobiles!" said Junior. 
 
 "All right!" said Mickey, "we can try them first. If 
 we can't find a factory that you'd like, what would you 
 rather sell ? " 
 
 "Automobiles," said Junior promptly. 
 
 "Gee!" said Mickey. "I see where we hit that busi- 
 ness at both ends. If we miss, what next ? " 
 
 "I don't know," said Junior. "I'll make up my mind 
 when I have looked around some." 
 
 "You can come closer deciding out here, than you can 
 in the rush of the streets," said Mickey. "There, you'll 
 be rustling for your supper, and you'll find boys hunting
 
 4 o8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 jobs thick as men at a ball game, and lots of them with 
 dads to furnish their room and board." 
 
 Junior hesitated, but Mickey excused himself and with- 
 out having been told what to do, he accomplished half a 
 day's work for Mrs* Harding, then began some of Peter's 
 jobs and afterward turned his attention to hearing Peaches' 
 lesson and setting her new copy. When Junior paid his 
 fare Monday morning, Mickey, judging by the change he 
 exhibited, realized that both his mother and father had 
 given him, to start on, a dollar to spend. Mickey would 
 have preferred that he be penniless. He decided as they 
 ran cityward that the first thing was to part Junior from 
 his money, so he told him he would be compelled to work 
 in the forenoon, and for a while in the afternoon, and left 
 him to his own devices on the street, with a meeting-place 
 agreed on at noon. 
 
 When Mickey reached the spot he found Junior with a 
 pocket full of candy, eating early peaches, and instead of 
 hunting work, he had attended three picture shows. 
 Mickey could have figured to within ten cents of what was 
 left of one of Junior's dollars; but as the cure did not really 
 begin until the money disappeared, the quicker it went the 
 better. As he ate his sandwich and drank his milk, he 
 watched Junior making a dinner of meat, potatoes, pie 
 and ice-cream, and made a mental estimate of the re- 
 mains of the other dollar. As a basis for a later "I told 
 you so," he remonstrated, and pointed out the fact that 
 there were hundreds of unemployed men of strength, 
 skilled artisans with families to support, looking for work 
 that minute.
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 409 
 
 "I know your dad signed up that contract with Jud 
 Jason," he said, '"cause I saw him, and that means that 
 he's got no use for you for three months; so you must take 
 care of yourself for that long at least, if you got any ginger 
 in you. Of course," explained Mickey, " I know that most 
 city men think country boy? won't stick, and are big 
 cowards, but I'm expecting you to show them just where 
 they are mistaken. I know you're not lazy, and I know 
 you got as much sand and grit as any city boy, but you 
 must prove it to the rest of them. You must show up ! " 
 
 " Sure ! " said Junior. " I'll convince them ! " 
 
 By night the last penny of the second dollar was gone, 
 so Junior borrowed his fare to his room from Mickey, who 
 was to remain with him to show him the way back and 
 forth, and to spend an early hour in search of employment. 
 It was Mickey's first night away from Peaches, and while 
 he knew she was safe, he felt that when night came she 
 would miss him. The thought that she might cry for 
 him tormented him to speech. He pointed out to Junior 
 very clearly that he would have to mark corners and keep 
 his eyes open because he need not expect that he could 
 leave her longer than that. Junior agreed with him, for 
 he had promised Peaches in saying good-bye to keep 
 Mickey only one night. 
 
 He had treated himself to candy and unusual fruits 
 until his money was gone, while by night these and a 
 walk of miles on hot pavement had bred such an appetite 
 that he felt he had not eaten a full meal in years, so 
 when Mickey brought out the remains of the food Mrs. 
 Harding had given him, her son felt insulted. But
 
 4 io MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey figured a day on the basis of what he had earned, 
 what he had expended, what he must save to be ready 
 when the great surgeon came, and prepared exactly as he 
 would have done for himself and Peaches. On reaching 
 the tenement and climbing until his legs ached, Junior 
 faced stifling heat, but Mickey opened the window and 
 started a draft by setting the door wide. While they ate 
 supper, Mickey talked unceasingly, but Junior was sulk- 
 ily silent. He tried the fire-escape, but one glance from 
 the rickety aiTair, hung a mile above the ground it seemed 
 to him, was enough, so he climbed back in the window and 
 tossed on the bed. 
 
 Junior did his first real thinking that night. He was 
 ravenous before morning and aghast at what he was 
 offered for breakfast. He was eager to find work and he 
 knew for what his first day's wage would go. In justice 
 to his own sense of honour and in justice to Junior, mere 
 common fairness, such as he would have wanted in like 
 case, for the first few days Mickey honestly and unceas- 
 ingly hunted employment. With Junior at his elbow he 
 suffered one rebuff after another, until it was clear to him 
 that it was impossible for a country boy unused to the 
 ways of the city to find or to hold a job at which he could 
 survive, even with his room provided, while the city 
 swarmed with unemployed men. Everywhere they found 
 the work they would have liked done by an Italian, 
 Greek, Swede, German, or Polander who seemed strong as 
 oxen, oblivious, as no doubt they were, to treatment Junior 
 never had seen accorded a balky mule, and able to live on a 
 chunk of black bread, a bit of cheese, and a few cents'
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 411 
 
 worth of stale beer. When Mickey had truly convinced 
 himself of what he had believed, with a free conscience he 
 then began allowing Junior to find out for himself exactly 
 what he was facing. By that time Junior had lost himself 
 on the way to Mickey's rooms, spent a night wandering 
 the streets, and breakfastless was waiting before the Iri- 
 quois. 
 
 Mickey listened sympathetically, supplied a dime, 
 which seemed to be all he had, for breakfast, and said as 
 he entered the building: "Well kid, 'til we can find a job 
 you'll just have to go up against the street. If I can live 
 and save money at it, you ought to be smart enough to 
 live. Go to it 'til I get my day's work done. You just 
 can't go home, because they'll think you don't amount 
 to anything; the fellows will make game of you, and besides 
 Jud is doing wonderfully well, your father said so. He 
 seemed so tickled over him, I guess the fact is he is getting 
 more help from him that he ever did from Junior boy, so 
 your job there isn't open. Go at whatever you can see 
 that needs to be done, 'til I get my work over and we'll try 
 again. I'll be out about three, and you can meet me here." 
 
 Empty and disheartened Junior squeezed the dime and 
 hurried toward the nearest restaurant. But the trans- 
 action had been witnessed by a boy as hungry as he, and 
 hardened to the street. How Junior came to be sprawling 
 on the sidewalk he never knew; only that his hand invol- 
 untarily opened in falling and he threw it out to catch him- 
 self, so he couldn't find the dime. Before noon he was 
 sick and reeling with sleeplessness and hunger. He was 
 waiting when it was Mickey's time to lunch, but he did not
 
 4 i2 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 come, and in desperation Junior really tried the street. At 
 last he achieved a nickel by snatching a dropped bundle 
 from under a car. He sat a long time in a stairway looking 
 at it, and then having reached a stage where he was more 
 sick, and less hungry, he hunted a telephone booth and 
 tried to get his home, only to learn that the family was 
 away. Gladdened by the thought that they might be in 
 the city, he walked miles, watching the curb before stores 
 where they shopped, searching for their car, and he told 
 himself that if he found it, nothing could separate him 
 from the steering gear until he sped past all regulation 
 straight to his mother's cupboard. 
 
 He had wanted ham and chicken in the beginning; later 
 helping himself to cold food in the cellar seemed 7. luxury; 
 then crackers and cookies in the dining-room cupboard 
 would have satisfied his wildest desire; and before three 
 o'clock, Junior, in mad rebellion, remembered his mother's 
 slop bucket. How did she dare put big pieces of bread and 
 things good enough for any one to eat in feed for pigs and 
 poultry! If he ever reached home he resolved he would 
 put a stop to that. 
 
 At three to Mickey's cheerful, "Now we'll find a job or 
 make it," he answered: "No we will find a square meal or 
 steal it," and then he told. Mickey watched him re- 
 flectively, but as he figured the case, it was not for him to 
 suggest retreat. He condoled, paid for the meal, and 
 started hunting work again, with Junior silent and dogged 
 beside him. To the surprise of both, almost at once they 
 found a place for a week with a florist. 
 
 Junior went to work. After a few tasks bunglingly per-
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 413 
 
 formed, he was tried on messenger service and started with 
 his carfare to deliver a box containing a funeral piece. He 
 had no idea where he was to go, or what car line to take. 
 In his extremity a bootblack came to his aid. He safely 
 delivered the box at a residence where the owner was leav- 
 ing his door for his car. He gave Junior half a dollar. 
 Junior met the first friendly greeting he har 7 encountered 
 in Multiopolis, as he reached the street. 
 
 Two boys larger than he walked beside him and talked so 
 frankly, that before he reached his car line, he felt he had 
 made friends. They offered to show him a shorter cut to 
 the car line just by going up an alley and out on a side 
 street. At the proper place for seclusion, the one behind 
 knocked him senseless, and the one before wheeled and re- 
 lieved him of money, and both fled. Junior lay for a time, 
 then slowly came back, but he was weak and ill. He knew 
 without investigating what had happened, and preferring 
 the mercy that might be inside to that of the alley, he 
 crawled into a back door. It proved to be a morgue. A 
 workman came to his assistance, felt the lump on his head, 
 noticed the sickness on his face, and gave him a place to 
 rest. Junior was dubious from the start about feeling 
 better, as he watched the surroundings. The proprietor 
 came past and inquired who he was and why he was there. 
 Junior told him, and showed the lumps behind his ear and 
 on his forehead, to prove his words. 
 
 The man was human. He gave Junior another nickel 
 and told him which car to take from his front door. He 
 had to stand aside and see five pieces of charred humanity 
 from a cleaning-establishment explosion, carried through
 
 414 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the door before he had a chance to leave it. He reached 
 the florist's two hours late and in spite of his story and his 
 perfectly discernible bumps to prove it, he was discharged 
 as a fool for following strangers into an alley. 
 
 On the streets once more and penniless, he started to 
 walk the miles to his room. When he found the building 
 he thought it would be cooler to climb the fire-escape and 
 sit on it until he decided what to do, then he could open the 
 door from the inside. At the top he thrust a foot, head, 
 and shoulders into the room and realized he had selected 
 the wrong escape. He tried to draw back, but two men 
 leaped for him, and as he was doubled in the window he 
 could not make a swift movement. 
 
 He was landed in the middle of the room, cursed for a 
 prowling thief, his protestations silenced, his pockets 
 searched, and when they yielded nothing, his body stripped 
 of its clean, wholesome clothing and he was pitched 
 down the stairs. He appealed to several people, and 
 found that the less he said the safer he was. He snatched 
 a towel from a basket of clothes before a door, twisted it 
 around him, and ran down the street to Mickey's front en- 
 trance. With all his remaining breath he sped up flight 
 after flight of stairs and at last reached the locked door, 
 only to find that the key was in the pocket of his stolen 
 trousers, and he could not force his way with his bare 
 hands. He could only get to his clothing by trying the 
 fire-escapes again. He was almost too sick to see or cling 
 to the narrow iron steps, but that time he counted care- 
 fully, and looked until he was sure before he entered. He 
 found his clothes, and in the intense heat dressed himself.
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 415 
 
 but he could not open the door. He sat on the fire-escape 
 to think. 
 
 Presently he espied one of the men who had robbed him 
 watching him from another escape, and being afraid and 
 beaten sore, he crept into the heat, and lay on the bed be- 
 side the window. After a while a breath of air came in, 
 and Junior slept the sleep of exhaustion. When he awoke 
 it was morning, his head aching, his mouth dry, and the 
 room cooler. Glancing toward the door he saw it standing 
 open and then noticed the disorder of the room, and of 
 himself, and sat up to find he was on the floor, once more 
 disrobed, and the place stripped of every portable thing in 
 it, even the bed, little stove, and the trunk filled with 
 clothes and a few personal possessions sacred to Mickey 
 because they had been his mother's. The men had used 
 the key in Junior's pocket to enter while he slept, drugged 
 him, and carried away everything. He crept to the door 
 and closed it, then sank on the floor and cried until he 
 again became unconscious. It was four o'clock that after- 
 noon when Mickey looked in and understood the situation. 
 He bent over Junior's bruised and battered body, stared at 
 his swollen, tear-stained face, and darting from the room, 
 brought water, and then food and clothing. 
 
 Redressed and fed, Junior lay on the floor and said to 
 Mickey: "Go to the nearest 'phone and call father. Tell 
 him I'm sick, to come in a hurry with the car." 
 
 'Sure!" said Mickey. "But hadn't we better wait 'til 
 morning now, and get you rested and fed up a little?" 
 
 "No," said Junior. "The sooner he sees the fix I'm in 
 the better he will realize that I'm not a quitter; but that
 
 4 i6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 this ain't just the place for me. Mickey, did you ever go 
 through this? Why do I get it so awful hard?" 
 
 "It's because the regulars can tell a mile off you are 
 country, Junior," said Mickey. "All my life I've been on 
 the streets so they knew me for city born, and supposed 
 I'd friends to trace them and back me if they abused me; 
 and then, I always look ahead sharp, and don't trust a 
 living soul about alleys. You say the next escape but 
 one? I've got to find them, and get back my things. I 
 want mother's, and Lily and I can't live this winter with 
 no bed, and no stove, and nothing at all." 
 
 "I'm sorry about your mother's things Mickey, but 
 don't worry over the rest," said Junior. "Pa and Ma 
 won't ever be willing to give up Peaches again, I can see 
 that right now, and if they keep her, they will have to take 
 you too, because of course you can't be separated from 
 her; your goods, I'll pay back. I owe you a lot as it is, but 
 I got some money in the bank, and I'll have to sell my 
 sheep." 
 
 Junior laid his head on his arm and sobbed weakly. 
 
 "Don't Junior," said Mickey. "I feel just awful about 
 this. I thought you had a place that would earn your 
 supper, and you had the room, and would be all right." 
 
 "Why of course!" said Junior. 
 
 Mickey looked intently at him. "Now look here 
 Junior," he said, "I got to square myself on this. I didn't 
 think all the time you'd like Multiopolis, when you saw it 
 with the bark off. Course viewing it on a full stomach, 
 from an automobile, with spending money in your pocket, 
 and a smooth run to a good home before you, is one thing;
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 417 
 
 facing up to it, and asking it to hand out those things to 
 you in return for work you can do here, without knowing 
 the ropes, is another. You've stuck it out longer than I 
 would, honest you have, but it isn't your game, and you 
 don't know how, and you'd be a fool to learn. I thought 
 you'd get enough to satisfy you when you came, but see- 
 ing for yourself seemed to be the only way to cure 
 you." 
 
 "Oh don't start the 'I told you so,'" said Junior. 
 " Father and mother will hand it out for the rest of my life. 
 I'd as lief die as go back, but I'm going; not because I can't 
 get in the game, and make a living if you can, even if I have 
 to go out and start as you did, with a penny. I'm going 
 back, but not for the reason you think. It's because seen 
 at close range, Multiopolis ain't what it looks like from an 
 automobile. I know something that I really know, and 
 that comes natural to me, that beats it a mile; and now I've 
 had my chance, and made my choice. I'm so sore I can't 
 walk, but if you'll just call father and tell him to come in 
 on high, I'll settle with you later." 
 
 "Course if that's the way you feel, I'll call him," said 
 Mickey, "but Junior, let me finish this much I was trying 
 to say. I knew Multiopolis would do to you all it had done 
 to me, and I knew you wouldn't like it; but I didn't figure 
 on your big frame and fresh face spelling country 'til it 
 would show a mile down the street. I didn't figure on you 
 getting the show I would, and I didn't intend anything 
 worse should happen to you than has to me. Honest I 
 didn't! I'm just about sick over this Junior. Don't you 
 want to go to Mr. Bruce's office I got a key and he won't
 
 4i 8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 care don't you want to go there and rest a little, and 
 feed up better, before I call your father?" 
 
 "No I don't! I got enough and I know it ! They must 
 know it some time; it might as well come at once." 
 
 "Then let's go out on the car," said Mickey. 
 
 "I guess you don't realize just how bad this is," said 
 Junior. "You call father, and call him quick and em- 
 phatic enough to bring him." 
 
 "All right then," said Mickey. "Here goes!" 
 
 "And put the call in nearest place you can find and 
 hustle back," said Junior. "I'm done with alleys, and 
 sluggers, and robbers. Goliath couldn't have held his 
 own against two big men, when he was fifteen, and I guess 
 father won't think I'm a coward because they got away 
 with me. But you hurry!" 
 
 "Sure! I'll fly, and I'll get him if I can." 
 
 "There's no doubt about getting him. This is baked 
 potato, bacon, blackberry roll, honey and bread time at 
 our house. They wouldn't be away just now, and it's 
 strange they have been so much this week." 
 
 Mickey gave Junior a swift glance; then raced to the 
 nearest telephone. 
 
 "You Mickey?" queried Peter. 
 
 "Yes. It's you for S. O. S., and I'm to tell you to 
 come on high, and lose no time in starting." 
 
 "Am I to come Mickey, or am I too busy?" 
 
 "You are to come, Peter, to my room, and in a hurry. 
 Things didn't work according to program." 
 
 "Why what's the matter, Mickey?" 
 
 "Just what I told you would be when it came to getting
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 419 
 
 a job here; but I didn't figure on street sharks picking on 
 Junior and robbing him, and following him to my room, 
 and slugging him 'til he can't walk. You come Peter, and 
 come in a hurry, and Peter " 
 
 "You better let me start " said Peter. 
 
 "Yes, but Peter, one minute," insisted Mickey. "I 
 got something to say to you. This didn't work out as I 
 planned, and I'm awful sorry, and you'll be too. But 
 Junior is cured done enough to suit you; he won't ever 
 want to leave you again, you can bank on that and he 
 ain't hurt permanent; but if you have got anything in 
 your system that sounds even a little bit like 'I told you 
 so,' forget it on the way in, and leave instructions with the 
 family to do the same. See? Junior is awful sore! He 
 don't need anything rubbed in in the way of reminiscences. 
 He's ready to do the talking. See?" 
 
 " Yes. You're sure he ain't really hurt ? " 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "Three days will fix him, but 
 Peter, it's been mighty rough! Go easy, will you?" 
 
 "Mickey have you got money " 
 
 "All we need. Just you get here with the car, and put 
 in a comfort and pillow. All my stuff is gone!" 
 
 Peter Senior arrived in a surprisingly short time, knelt 
 on the floor and looked closely at his sleeping boy. 
 
 "Naked and beaten to insensibility, you say?" 
 
 Mickey nodded. 
 
 "Nothing to eat for nearly two days?" 
 
 Another affirmation. Peter arose, pushed back his hat 
 and wiped the sweat from his brow. 
 
 "I haven't been thinking about anything but him ever
 
 420 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 since he left," he said, "and what makes me the sorest is 
 that the longer 1 think of it, the surer I get that this is my 
 fault. I didn't raise him right!" 
 
 "Aw-w-ah Peter!" protested Mickey. 
 
 "I've got it all studied out," said Peter, "and I didn't! 
 There have been two mistakes, Junior's and mine, and of 
 the two, mine is twice as big as the boy's." 
 
 Peter stooped and picked up his son, who stirred and 
 awakened. When he found himself in his father's arms 
 Junior clung to him and whispered over and over: "Father, 
 dear father!" Peter gripped him with all his might and 
 whispered back: "Forgive me son! Forgive me!" 
 
 "Well I don't know what for?" sobbed Junior. 
 
 "You will before long," said Peter. He drove to a cool 
 place, and let the car stand while he called his wife, and 
 explained all of the situation he saw fit. She was waiting 
 at the gate when they came. She never said a word ex- 
 cept to urge Junior to sit up to the table and eat his supper. 
 But Junior had no appetite. 
 
 "I want to run things here for a few minutes," he said. 
 "When the children finish, put them to bed, and then let 
 me tell you, and you can decide what you'll do to me." 
 
 "Well, don't you worry about that," said Peter. 
 
 "No I won't," said Junior, "because there's nothing 
 you can do that will be half I deserve." 
 
 When the little folks were asleep, and Mickey had 
 helped Mrs. Harding finish the work, and Jud Jason had 
 been paid five dollars for his contract and had gone home, 
 Junior lay in the hammock on the front porch, while his 
 father, mother and Mickey sat close. When he started to
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 421 
 
 speak Peter said: "Now Junior, wait a minute! You've 
 been gone a week, and during that time I've used my 
 brains more than I ever did in a like period, even when I 
 was courting your Ma, and the subject I laboured on was 
 what took you away from us. I've found out why you 
 were not satisfied, and who made you dissatisfied. The 
 guilty party is Peter Harding, aided and abetted by one 
 Nancy Harding, otherwise known as Ma " 
 
 "Why father!" interrupted Junior. 
 
 "Silence!" said Peter. "I've just found out that it's a 
 man's job to be the head of his family, and I'm going to 
 be the head of mine after this, and like Mickey here, 'I'm 
 going to keep it.' Let me finish. I've spent this week 
 thinking, and all the things I have thought would make a 
 bigger book than the dictionary if they were set down. 
 Why should you ask to be forgiven for a desire to go to 
 Multiopolis when I carried you there as a baby, led you as 
 a toddler, and went with you every chance I could trump 
 up as a man? Who bought and fed you painted, adulter- 
 ated candy as a child, when your Ma should have made 
 you pure clean taffy at home from our maple syrup or as 
 good sugar as we could buy? Often I've spent money 
 that now should be on interest, for fruit that looked fine 
 to you there, and proved to be grainy, too mellow, sour 
 or not half so good as what you _iad at home. 
 
 "I never took you hunting, or fishing, or camping, or 
 s\vimming, in your life; but I haven't had a mite of trouble 
 to find time and money to take you to circuses, which I 
 don't regret, I'll do again; and picture shows- which I'll do 
 also; and other shows. I'm not condemning any form of
 
 422 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 I 
 
 amusement we ever patronized so much, we'll probably do 
 all of it again; but what gets me now, is how I ever came to 
 think that the only interesting things and those worth 
 taking time and spending money on, were running to 
 Multiopolis, to eat, to laugh, to look, and getting little to 
 show for it but disappointment and suffering for all of us. 
 You haven't had the only punishment that's struck the 
 Harding family this week, Junior. Your Ma and I have 
 had our share, and I haven't asked her if she has got 
 enough, but speaking strictly for myself, I have." 
 
 "I wouldn't live through it again for the farm," sobbed 
 Mrs. Harding. "I see what you are getting at Pa, and 
 it's we who are the guilty parties, just as you say." 
 
 Junior sat up and stared at them. 
 
 "I don't so much regret the things I did," said Peter, 
 "as I condemn myself for the things I haven't done. I 
 haven't taught you to ride so you don't look a spectacle on a 
 horse, and yet horses should come as natural as breathing 
 to you. You should be a skilled marksman; you couldn't 
 hit a washtub at ten paces. You should swim like a fish, 
 with a hundred lakes in your country; you'd drown if you 
 were thrown in the middle of one and left to yourself. 
 You ought to be able to row a boat as well as it can be 
 done, and cast a line with all the skill any lad of your age 
 possesses. That you car. . make even a fair showing at 
 any sport, results from the fact that every time your 
 father had a minute to spare he took you and headed 
 straight for Multiopolis. Here's the golf links at our door, 
 and if ever any game was a farmer's game, and if any man 
 has a right to hold up his head, and tramp his own hills,
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 423 
 
 and swing a strong arm and a free one, and make a mas- 
 terly stroke, it's a land owner. There's no reason why 
 plowing and tilling should dull the brains, bend the back, 
 or make a packhorse of a man. Modern methods show 
 you how to do the same thing a better way, how to work 
 one machine instead of ten men, how to have time for a 
 vacation, just as city men do, and how to have money for 
 books, and music, and school, instead of loading with so 
 much land it's a burden to pay the taxes. I have quite a 
 bunch of land for sale, and I see a way open to make three 
 times the money I ever did, with half the hard work. We've 
 turned over a new leaf at this place from start to finish, 
 including the house, barn, land, and family. A year from 
 now you won't know any of us; but that later. Just now, 
 it's this: I'm pointing out to you Junior, exactly how you 
 came to have your hankering for Multiopolis. I can see 
 you followed the way we set you thinking, that all the 
 amusing things were there, the smart people, the fine 
 clothes, the wealth, and the freedom 
 
 ''Yes you ought to see the 'amusing things' and the 
 'happy people' when your stomach's cramping and your 
 head splitting!" cried Junior. "I tell you down among 
 them it looks different from riding past in an automobile." 
 
 "Exactly!" conceded Peter. "Exactly what I'm com- 
 ing at. All your life I've given you the wrong viewpoint. 
 Now you can busy yourselves planning how to make our 
 share of the world over, so it will bring all the joy of life 
 right to the front door. I guess the first big thing is to 
 currycomb the whole place, and fix it as it should be to be 
 most convenient for us. Then we better take a course of
 
 424 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 training in making up our minds to be satisfied with what 
 we can afford. Junior, does home look better to you than 
 it did this time last week?" 
 
 "Father," began Junior, and sobbed aloud. 
 
 "The answer is sufficient," said Peter dryly. "Never 
 mind son! When, with our heads put together. v,e 
 get our buildings and land fixed right, I suggest that we 
 also fix our clothes and our belongings right. I can't 
 see any reason why a woman as lovely as Ma, should be 
 told from any other pretty woman, by her walk or dress. 
 I don't know why a man as well set up as I am, shouldn't 
 wear his clothes as easy as the men at the club house. I 
 can't see why we shouldn't be at that same club house for 
 a meal once in a while, just to keep us satisfied with home 
 cooking, and that game looks interesting. Next trip to 
 Multiopolis I make, I'm going to get saddles for Junior 
 and Mickey and teach them what I know about how to sit 
 and handle a horse properly; and it needn't be a plow 
 horse either. Next day off I have, I'm going to spend 
 hauling lumber to one of these lakes we decide on, to 
 build a house for a launch and fishing-boat for us. Then 
 when we have a vacation, we'll drive there, shelter our 
 car, and enjoy ourselves like the city folks by the thou- 
 sand, since we think what they do so right and fine. 
 They've showed us what they like, flocking five thousand 
 at a clip, to Red Wing Lake a few miles from us. Since 
 we live among what they are spending their thousands 
 every summer to enjoy, let's help ourselves to a little 
 pleasure. I am going to buy each of us a fishing rod, and 
 get a box of tackle, soon as I reach it, and I'm going fast.
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 425 
 
 I've wasted sixteen years, now I'm on the homestretch, 
 and it's going to be a stretch of all there is in me to make 
 our home the sweetest, grandest place on earth to us. 
 Will you help me, Nancy?" 
 
 "I think maybe I'll be saved nervous prostration if I 
 can help just a few of these things to take place." 
 
 "Yes, I've sensed that," said Peter. "Mickey pointed 
 that out to me the morning you jumped your job and 
 headed for sunup. For years, just half your time and 
 strength has been thrown away using old methods and im- 
 plements in your work, and having the kitchen unhandy and 
 inconvenient; and I'm the man who should have seen it, and 
 got you right tools for your job at the same time I bought a 
 houseful for myself and my work. We must stir up this 
 whole neighbourhood, and build a big entertainment 
 house, where we can have a library suitable for country 
 folks, and satisfying to their ways of life. It's got to have 
 music boxes in it, and a floor fit for dancing and skating, 
 and a stage for our own entertainments, and the folks we 
 decide to bring here to amuse us. We can put in a picture 
 machine and a screen, that we can pay for by charging a 
 few cents admission the nights we run it, and rent films 
 once or twice a week from a good city show. We could 
 fix up a place like that, and get no end of fun and educa- 
 tion out of it, without going thirty miles and spending 
 enough money in one night to get better entertainment for 
 a month at home, and in a cool, comfortable hall, and 
 where we can go from it to bed in a few minutes. Once 
 I am started, with Mickey and Junior to help me, I'm 
 going to call a meeting and talk these things over with
 
 426 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 my neighbours, and get them to join in if I can. If I 
 can't, I'll go on and put up the building and start things 
 as I think they should be, and charge enough admittance 
 to get back what I invest; and after that, just enough to 
 pay running expenses and for the talent we use. I'm so 
 sure it can be done, I'm going to do it. Will you help me, 
 son?" 
 
 "Yes father, I'd think it was fine to help do that," said 
 Junior. "Now may I say what I want to?" 
 
 "Why yes, you might son," said Peter, "but to tell the 
 truth I can't see that you have anything to say. If you 
 have got the idea, Junior, that you have wronged us any, 
 and that it's your job to ask us to forgive you for wanting 
 to try the things we started and kept you hankering after 
 all your life so far, why you're mistaken. If I'd trained 
 you from your cradle to love your home, as I've trained 
 you to love Multiopolis, you never would have left us. 
 So if there is forgiving in the air, you please forgive me. 
 And this includes your Ma as well. I should ask her for- 
 giveness too, for a whole lot of things that I bungled about, 
 when I thought I was loving her all I possibly could. I've 
 got a new idea of love so big and all-encompassing it in- 
 cludes a fireless cooker and a dish-washing machine. I'm 
 going to put it in practice for a year; then if my family 
 wants to change back, we'll talk about it." 
 
 " But father " began Junior. 
 
 "Go to bed son," said Peter. "You can tell us what 
 happened when you ain't as sleepy as you are right 
 now." 
 
 Junior arose and followed his mother to the kitchen.
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 427 
 
 "Ain't he going to let me tell what a fool I've been at 
 all?" he demanded. 
 
 "I guess your Pa felt that when he got through telling 
 what fools we've been, there wasn't anything left for you 
 to say. I know I feel that way. This neighbourhood does 
 all in its power, from the day their children are born, to 
 teach them that home is only a stopping-place, to eat, and 
 sleep, and work, and be sick in; and that every desirable 
 thing in life is to be found somewhere else, the else being, in 
 most cases, Multiopolis. Just look at it year after year 
 gobbling up our boys and girls, and think over the ones 
 you know who have gone, and see what they've come to. 
 Among the men as far as I remember, Joel Harris went 
 into a law office and made a rich, respectable man; and 
 two girls married and have good homes; the others, many 
 of them, I couldn't name to you the places they are in. 
 This neighbourhood needs reforming, and if Pa has set 
 out to attempt it, I'll lend a hand, and I guess from what 
 you got this week, you'll be in a position to help better 
 than you could have helped before." 
 
 "Yes I guess so too," said Junior emphatically. 
 
 He gladly went back to the cream wagon. Peter didn't 
 want him to, but there was a change in Junior. He 
 was no longer a wilful discontented boy. He was a part- 
 ner, who was greatly interested in a business and felt dis- 
 satisfied if he were not working at furthering it. He had 
 little to say, but his eyes were looking far ahead in deep 
 thought. The first morning he started out, while Junior 
 unhitched his horse, Peter filled the wagon and went back 
 to the barn where Mickey was helping him.
 
 428 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Junior, passing, remembered he had promised Jud Jason 
 to bring a bundle he had left there, and stopped for it. He 
 stepped into the small front door and bent for the package 
 lying in sight, when clearly and distinctly arose Mickey's 
 voice lifted to reach Peter, at another task. 
 
 "Course I meant him to get enough to make him good 
 and sick of it, like we agreed on; but I never intended him 
 to get any such a dose as he had." 
 
 Junior straightened swiftly, an astonished look crossed 
 his face, and his lower jaw dropped. His father's reply 
 was equally audible. 
 
 "Of course I understand that, Mickey." 
 
 " Surest thing you know ! " said Mickey. " I like Junior. 
 I like him better than any other boy I ever knew, and I've 
 known hundreds. I tell you Peter, he was gamer than 
 you'll ever believe to hang on as long as he did." 
 
 "Yes I think that too," said Peter. 
 
 "You know he didn't come because he was all in," ex- 
 plained Mickey. "You can take a lot of pride in that. 
 He'd about been the limit when he quit. And he quit, 
 not because he was robbed and knocked out, but because 
 what he had seen showed him that Multiopolis wasn't the 
 job he wanted for a life sentence. Seer " 
 
 "I hope you are right about that," said Peter. "I'm 
 glad to my soul to get him home, cured in any way; but 
 it sort of gags me to think of him as having been scared 
 out. It salves my vanity considerable to feel, as you say, 
 that he had the brains to sense the situation, and quit 
 because he felt it wasn't the work for which he was 
 bom."
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 429 
 
 Then Mickey's voice came eagerly, earnestly, warming 
 the cockles of Junior's heart. 
 
 "Now lemme tell you Peter; I was there, and I know. 
 It was that way. It was just that way exact ! He wasn't 
 scared out, he'd have gone at it again, all right, if he'd seen 
 anything in it he wanted. It was just as his mother felt 
 when she first talked it over with me, and the same with 
 you later: that if he got to the city, and got right up against 
 earning a living there, he would find it wasn't what ha 
 wanted; and he did, like all of us thought. Course I 
 meant to put it to him stiff; I meant to 'niciate him in the 
 ancient and honourable third degree of Multiopolis all 
 right, so he'd have enough to last a lifetime; but I only 
 meant to put him up against what I'd had myself on the 
 streets; I was just going to test his ginger; I wasn't count- 
 ing on the robbing, and the alleys, and the knockout, and 
 the morgue. Gee, Peter!" 
 
 Then they laughed. A dull red surged up Junior's 
 neck, and flooded his face. He picked up the bundle, 
 went silently from the barn, and climbed on the wagon. 
 The jerk of the horse stopping at its accustomed place told 
 him when to load the first can. He had been thinking so 
 deeply he was utterly oblivious to everything save the 
 thought that it had been prearranged among them to 
 "cure" him; even his mother knew about, if he heard 
 aright, had been the instigator of the scheme to let him go, 
 to be what Mickey called "initiated in the ancient and 
 honourable third degree of Multiopolis." 
 
 Once he felt so outraged he thought of starting the horse 
 home, taking the trolley, going back to Multiopolis and
 
 430 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 fighting his way to what his father would be compelled to 
 acknowledge success. He knew that he could do it; he was 
 on the point of vowing that he would do it; but in his heart 
 he knew better than any one else how repulsed he was, how 
 he hated it, and against a vision of weary years of fighting, 
 came that other vision of himself planning and working be- 
 side his father to change and improve their home life. 
 
 "Say Junior are you asleep?" called Jud Jason. "You 
 sit there like you couldn't move. D'ye bring my bundle ? " 
 
 "Yes, it's back there," answered Junior. "Get it!" 
 
 "How'd you like Multiopolis?" asked Jud. 
 
 Junior knew he had that to face. 
 
 "It's a cold-blooded sell, Jud," he said promptly. "I'm 
 glad I went when I did, and found out for myself. You 
 see it's like this, Jud: I could have stayed and made my 
 way; but I found out in a few days that I wouldn't give a 
 snap for the way when it was made. We fellows are better 
 off right where we are, and a lot of us are ready to throw 
 away exactly what many of the men in Multiopolis are wild 
 to get. Now let me tell you ' 
 
 Junior told him, and through putting his experience into 
 words, he eased his heart and cleared his brain. He came 
 to hints of great and wonder-working things that were 
 going to happen soon. There was just a possibility that 
 Jud gleaned an idea that the experience in Multiopolis had 
 brought his friend home to astound and benefit the neigh- 
 bourhood. At any rate Junior picked up the lines with all 
 the sourness gone from his temperament, which was 
 usually sweet, except that one phrase of Mickey's, and the 
 laughter. Suddenly he leaned forward.
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 431 
 
 " Jud, come here," he said. Junior began to speak, and 
 Jud began to understand and sympathize with the boy he 
 had known from childhood. 
 
 "Could we?" asked Junior. 
 
 "'Could we?' Well, I just guess we could!" 
 
 "When?" queried Junior. 
 
 "This afternoon, if he's going to be off," said Jud. 
 
 "Well I don't know what his plans are, but I could tele- 
 phone from here and by rustling I could get back by two. 
 I've done it on a bet. Where will we go, and what for?" 
 
 "To Atwater. Fishing is good enough excuse." 
 
 "All right! Father will let me take the car." 
 
 "Hayseed! Isn't walking good enough to suit you? 
 What's the matter with the Elkhart swale, Atwater marsh, 
 and the woods around the head of the lake 
 
 "Hold the horse till I run in and 'phone him." 
 
 When he came down the walk he reported: "He wants 
 to go fishing awful bad, and he'll be ready by two. That's 
 all settled then. We'll have a fine time." 
 
 "Bully!" said Jud laconically, and started to the house 
 of another friend, where a few words secured a boy of his 
 age a holiday. Junior drove fast as he dared and hurried 
 with his work; so he reached home a little before two, 
 where he found Mickey with poles and a big can of worms 
 ready. Despite the pressing offer of the car, they walked, 
 in order to show Mickey the country which he was eager to 
 explore on foot. Junior said the sunfish were big as lunch 
 plates at Atwater, the perch fine, and often if you caught a 
 grasshopper or a cricket for b -it, you got a big bass around 
 the shore, and if they had the luck to reach the lake, when
 
 432 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 there was no one ahead of them, and secured a boat they 
 were sure of taking some. 
 
 "Wouldn't I like to see Lily eating a fish I caught," said 
 Mickey, searching the grass and kicking rotting wood as 
 he saw Junior doing to find bass bait. 
 
 "Minnies are the real thing," explained Junior. "When 
 we get the scheme father laid out going, before we start 
 fishing, you and I will take a net and come to this creek 
 and catch a bucketful of right bait, and then we'll have 
 man's sport, for sure. Won't it be great?" 
 
 "Exactly what the plutes are doing," said Mickey. 
 "Gee, Junior, if your Pa does all the thin s he said he was 
 going to, you'll be a plute yourself!" 
 
 "Never heard him say anything in my life he didn't 
 do,*' said Junior, "and didn't you notice that he put you 
 in too? You'll be just as much of a plute as I will." 
 
 "Not on your bromide," said Mickey. "He is your 
 father, and you'll be in business with him; I'll just be along 
 sometimes, as a friend, maybe." 
 
 "I usually take father at just what he says. I guess he 
 means you to stay in our family, if you like." 
 
 "I wonder now!" said Mickey. 
 
 "Looks like it to me. Father and mother both like you, 
 and they're daffy about Peaches." 
 
 "It's because she's so little, and so white, and so help- 
 less," Mickey hastened to explain, "and so awful sweet!" 
 
 "Well for whatever it is, it is" said Junior, "and I'm 
 just as crazy about her as the rest. Look out kid! That 
 fellow's coming right at us ! ' 
 
 Junior dashed for the fence, while Mickey lost time in
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 433" 
 
 turning to see what "that fellow" might be; so he faced 
 the ram that had practised on Malcolm Minturn. With 
 lowered head, the ram sprang at Mickey. He flew in air, 
 and it butted space and whirled again, so that before the 
 boy's breath was fully recovered he lifted once more, with 
 all the agility learned on the streets of Multiopolis; but 
 that time the broad straw hat he wore to protect his eyes 
 on the water, sailed from his head; he dropped the poles, 
 and as the ram came back at him he hit it squarely in the 
 face with the bait can, which angered rather than daunted 
 it. Then for a few minutes Mickey was too busy to know 
 exactly what happened, and movements were too quick for 
 Junior. When he saw that Mickey was tiring, and the 
 ram was not, he caught a rail from the fence and helped 
 subdue the ram. Panting they climbed the fence and sat 
 resting. 
 
 "Why I didn't know Higgins had that ram," said Jun- 
 ior. "We fellows always crossed that field before. Say, 
 there ain't much in that 
 
 'Gentle sheep pray tell me why, 
 In the pleasant fields you lie?' 
 
 business, is there?" 
 
 "Not much but the lie," said Mickey earnestly. 
 
 Junior dropped from the fence and led the way toward 
 a wood thick with underbrush, laughing until his heart 
 pained. As they proceeded they heard voices. 
 
 "Why that sounds like my bunch," said Junior. 
 
 He whistled shrilly, which brought an immediate re- 
 sponse, and soon two boys appeared.
 
 434 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Hello! "said Junior. 
 
 "Hello!" answered they. 
 
 "Where're you going?" asked Junior. 
 
 "To Atwater Lake, fishing. Where you?" 
 
 "There too!" said Junior. "Why great! We'll go to- 
 gether! Sam, this is Mickey." 
 
 Mickey offered his hand and formalities were over. 
 
 "But I threw our worms at the ram," said Mickey. 
 
 "Well that was a smart trick!" cried Junior. 
 
 "Wasn't it?" agreed Mickey. "But you see the ram 
 was coming and I had the worms in my strong right, so I 
 didn't stop to think I'd spent an hour digging them; I just 
 whaled away " 
 
 "Never mind worms," said Jud. "I guess we got 
 enough to divide; if you fellows want to furnish something 
 for your share, you can find some grubs in these woods, and 
 we'll get more chance at the bass." 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "What are grubs and where do 
 you look for them?" 
 
 "Oh anywhere under rotting wood and round old logs," 
 said Jud. "B'lieve it's a good place right here, Mickey; 
 dig in till I cut a stick to help with." 
 
 Mickey pushed aside the bushes, dropped on his knees 
 and "dug in." A second later, with a wild shriek, he 
 rolled over and over striking and screaming. 
 
 "Yellow jackets!" shouted Jud. "Quick fellers, help 
 Mickey! He's got too close a nest!" 
 
 Armed with branches they came beating the air and 
 him; until Mickey had a fleeting thought that if the red- 
 hot needles piercing him did not kill, the boys would.
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 435 
 
 Presently he found himself beside a mudhole and as the 
 others "ouched" and "o-ohed" and bewailed their fate, 
 and grabbed mud and plastered it on, he did the same. 
 Jud generously offered, as he had not so many stings, to 
 help Mickey. Soon even the adoring eyes of Peaches 
 could not have told her idol from the mudhole. He 
 twisted away from an approaching handful crying: "Gee 
 Jud! Leave a feller room to breathe! If you are going to 
 smother me, I might as well die from bites ! " 
 
 "Bites!" cried the boys while all of them laughed wildly, 
 so wildly that Mickey flushed with shame to think he had 
 so little appreciation of the fun calling a sting a bite, when 
 it was explained to him. 
 
 "Well they sure do get down to business," he chattered, 
 chilling from the exquisite pain of a dozen yellow-jacket 
 stings, one of which on his left eyelid was rapidly closing 
 that important organ. He bowed a willing head for Jud's 
 application of cold mud. 
 
 Finally they gathered up their poles and bait and again 
 started toward the lake. The day was warm, and there 
 was little air in the marsh, and on the swampy shore they 
 followed. Suddenly Jud cried: "I tell you fellows, what's 
 the use of walking all the way round the lake? Bet the 
 boats will be taken when we get there! Let's cut fishing 
 and go swimming right here where there's a cool, shady 
 place. It will be good for you Mickey, it will cool off your 
 stings a lot." 
 
 Mickey promptly began to unbutton, and the others 
 did the same. Then they made their way through the 
 swamp tangle lining the shore at the head of the lake, and
 
 436 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 tried to reach the water beside the tamaracks. Sam and 
 Junior found solid footing, and waded toward deep water. 
 Jud piloted Mickey to a spot he thought sufficiently 
 treacherous, and said: "Looks good here; you go ahead 
 Mickey, and I'll come after you." 
 
 Mickey was unaccustomed to the water. He waded in 
 with the assurance he had seen the others use, but sud- 
 denly he cried: "Gee boys, I'm sucking right down!" 
 
 Then on his ears fell a deafening clamour. "Help! Help! 
 Quicksands! Mickey's sinking! Help him!" 
 
 Mickey threw out his arms. He grabbed wildly; while a 
 force, seemingly gentle but irresistible, sucked him lower 
 and lower, and with each inch it bore him down, gripped 
 tighter, and pulled faster. When he glanced at the boys 
 he saw panic in their faces, and he realized that he was 
 probably lost, and they were terror stricken. The first 
 gulp of tepid shore water that strangled him in running 
 across his gasping lips made him think of Peaches. Strug- 
 gling he threw back his head and so saw a widespreading 
 branch of a big maple not far above him. All that was 
 left of Mickey went into the cry: "Junior! Bend me that 
 branch!" Junior swiftly climbed the tree, crept on the 
 limb, and swayed it till it swept the water, then Mickey 
 laid hold; just a few twigs, and then as Junior backed, and 
 the branch lifted higher and higher, Mickey worked, hand 
 over hand, and finally grasped twigs that promised to 
 stand a gentle pull. 
 
 Then Jud began to shout instructions: "Little lower, 
 Junior! Get a better grip before you pull hard, Mickey! 
 Maple is brittle! Easy! It will snap with you! Kind of
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 437 
 
 roll yourself and turn to let the water in and loosen the 
 sand. Now roll again! Now pull a little! You're mak- 
 ing it! You are out to your shoulders! Back farther, 
 Junior! Don't you fall in, or you'll both go down!" 
 
 Mickey was very quiet now. His small face was pallid 
 with the terror of leaving Peaches forever with no provi- 
 sion for her safety. The grip of the sucking sand was yet 
 pulling at his legs and body; while if the branch broke he 
 knew what it meant; that sucking, insistent pulling, and 
 caving away beneath his feet told him. Suddenly Mickey 
 gave up struggling, set his teeth, and began righting by in- 
 stinct. He moved his shoulders gently, until he let the 
 water flow in, then instead of trying to work his feet he 
 held them rigid and flattened as he could, and with the 
 upper part of his body still rolling, he reached higher, 
 and kept inching up the branch as Junior backed away, 
 until with sickening slowness he at last reached wood thick 
 as his wrist. Then he dragged his helpless body after him 
 to safety, where he sank in a heap to rest. 
 
 "Jud, it's a good thing I went in there first," he said. 
 "Heavy as you are, you'd a-been at the bottom by now, 
 if there is any bottom." 
 
 Mickey's gaze travelled slowly over his lumpy, purple 
 frame, and then he looked closely at the others. "Why 
 them stingers must a-give about all of it to me," he com- 
 mented. "I don't see any lumps on the rest of you." 
 
 "Oh we are used to it," scoffed Jud. "They don't 
 show on you after you get used to them. 'Sides most all 
 mine are on my head, I kept 'em off with the bushes." 
 
 "So did I," chimed in Sam and Junior with one voice.
 
 438 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "I guess I did get a lot the worst of it," conceded 
 Mickey. "But if they only stung your heads, it's funny 
 you didn't know where to put your mud!" 
 
 "Well I'll tell you," said Jud earnestly. "On your head 
 they hurt worst of all. They hurt so blame bad, you get so 
 wild like you don't know where you are stung, and you 
 think till you cool off a little, you got them all over." 
 
 "Yes I guess you do," agreed Mickey. 
 
 The boys were slowly putting on their clothing and 
 Junior was scowling darkly. Jud edged close. 
 
 "Gosh!" he whispered. "I thought it was only a little 
 spring! I didn't think it was a quicksand!" 
 
 "You cut out anything more!" said Junior tersely. 
 
 Jud nodded. After a while they started home, walk- 
 ing slowly and each one being particularly careful of and 
 good to Mickey. When he had rested, he could see that 
 it was only an accident; such an astounding one he forgot 
 his bites and could talk of little else. 
 
 They made another long pause under a big tree, and 
 Mickey felt so much better as they again started home, 
 that Junior lagged behind, and Jud seeing, joined him. 
 Junior asked softly: "Have any more?" 
 
 Jud nodded. 
 
 "What?" whispered Junior. 
 
 Jud told him. 
 
 "Oh that! Nothing in that! Goon!" 
 
 So they struck into the path they had followed from the 
 swamp to the woods, when suddenly a warm, yielding, 
 coiling thing slipped under Mickey's feet. With a wild 
 cry he leaped across the body of a big rattlesnake that had
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 439 
 
 been coiled in the path. As he arose, clear cut against 
 the light launched the ugly head and wide jaws of the 
 rattler, then came the sickening buzz of its rattles in mad 
 recoil for a second stroke. 
 
 " Run Mickey ! Jump ! " screamed Junior. 
 
 "What is it?" asked Mickey bewildered. 
 
 " Rattlesnakes ! Sure death ! " yelled Jud. " Run fool !" 
 
 But Mickey stood perfectly still, and looked, not where 
 the increasing buzz came from, but at them. They had 
 no choice. Jud carried a heavy club; he threw himself 
 in front of Mickey and as the second stroke came, he 
 swung at the snake's head. The other boys collected 
 their senses and beat it to pulp, then the dead mate it 
 watched beside. Junior glared at Jud, but when he saw 
 how frightened he was, he knew what had happened. 
 
 Mickey gazed at the snakes in horror. 
 
 "Ain't that a pretty small parcel to deal out sudden 
 death in?" he asked. "And if they're laying round like 
 that, ain't we taking an awful risk to be wading through 
 here, this way? Gee, they're the worst sight I ever saw! " 
 
 Mickey became violently ill. He lay down for a time, 
 while the boys waited on him, and at last when he could 
 slowly walk toward home, they went on. Jud and Sam 
 left them at the creek, and Junior and Mickey started up 
 the Harding lane. Suddenly Mickey sat down in a fence 
 corner, leaned against the rails, and closed his eyes. 
 
 "Gee!" he said. "Never felt so rotten in all my life." 
 
 "Maybe that snake grazed you." 
 
 "If it did, would it kill me?" asked Mickey dully. 
 
 "Well after the yellow-jacket poison in your blood, and
 
 440 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 being so tired and hot, you wouldn't stand the chance 
 you'd had when we first started," said Junior. "Do you 
 know where it came closest to you ? " 
 
 " Back of my legs, I s'pose," said Mickey. 
 
 "If it had hit you, it would leave two places like needles 
 stuck in, just the width of its head apart. I can't find 
 anything that looks like it, thank the Lord!" 
 
 "Here too!" said Mickey. "You see if it or the quick- 
 sands had finished me, I haven't things fixed for Lily. 
 They might ' ' geC her yet. If anything should happen to 
 me, she would be left with no one to take care of her." 
 
 " Father would," offered Junior. " Mother never would 
 let anybody take her. I know she wouldn't." 
 
 "Well I don't," said Mickey, "and here is where guess- 
 ing doesn't cut any ice. I must be sure. To-night I'll 
 ask him. I'd like to know how it happens that sudden 
 death has just been rampaging after me all this trip, any- 
 way. I seemed to get it coming or going." 
 
 Junior did not hide his grin quickly enough. 
 
 "Aw-w-w-ah!" grated Mickey, suddenly tense and 
 alert. 
 
 He sprang to his feet. So did Junior. 
 
 "Say, look here " cried Mickey. 
 
 "All right, 'look here,'" retorted Junior. His face 
 flamed red, then paled, and his hands gripped, while his 
 jaw protruded in an ugly scowl. Then slowly and dis- 
 tinctly he quoted: "Course I meant to put it to you stiff; 
 I meant to 'niciate you in the ancient and honourable 
 third degree of the Country all right, so's you'd have 
 enough to last a lifetime; but I only meant to put you up
 
 INITIATIONS IN A BROTHERHOOD 44! 
 
 against what I'd had myself in the fields and woods; I was 
 just going to test your ginger; I wasn't counting on the 
 quicksand, and the live snake, finding its dead mate Jud 
 fixed for you." 
 
 "So you were sneaking in the barn this morning, when 
 we thought you were gone?" demanded Mickey. 
 
 "Easy you!" cautioned Junior. "Going after the 
 bundle I promised Jud was not sneaking " 
 
 "So 'twasn't," conceded Mickey, instantly. "So 
 'twasn't!" 
 
 He looked at Junior a second. 
 
 "You heard us, then?" he demanded. "All of it?" 
 
 "I don't know," answered Junior. "I heard what I 
 just repeated, and what you said about my being game, 
 and exactly why I came back; thank you for that, even if 
 I lick you half to death in a minute and I heard that my 
 own mother first fixed it up with you, and then father 
 agreed. Oh I heard enough !" 
 
 "And so you got a grouch?" commented Mickey. 
 
 "Yes I did," admitted Junior. "But I got over all of 
 it, after I'd had time to think, but that third degree busi- 
 ness; that made me so sore I told Jud about it, and he 
 said he'd help me pay you up; but we struck the same rock 
 you did, in giving you a bigger dose than we meant to. 
 Honest Mickey, Jud didn't know there was a real quick- 
 sand there, and of course we didn't dream a live snake 
 would follow and find the one the boys hunted, killed, and 
 set for you this morning 
 
 "Awful innocent!" scoffed Mickey. "'Member you 
 didn't know about the ram either?"
 
 442 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 " Honest I didn't, Mickey," persisted Junior. "I thought 
 steering you into the yellow jackets was to be the first 
 degree! Cross my heart, I did." 
 
 Suddenly Mickey whooped. He tumbled on the grass 
 in the fence corner and twisted in wild laughter until he 
 was worn out. Then he struggled up, and held out his 
 hard to Junior. 
 
 "If you're willing," he said, "I'll give you the grip, and 
 the password will be, ' Brothers !'"
 
 M 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 
 
 " m -rR. DOVESKY, I want a minute with you,' 
 said James Minturn. 
 
 "All right, Mr. Minturn, what is it?" 
 
 "You are well acquainted with Mrs. Minturn?" 
 
 "Very well indeed!" said Mr. Dovesky. "I have had 
 the honour of working with her in many concerts." 
 
 "And of her musical ability you are convinced?" 
 
 " Brilliant is the only word," exclaimed the Professor. 
 
 "My reason for asking is this," said Mr. Minturn: 
 "one of our boys, the second, Malcolm, is like his mother,, 
 and lately we discovered that he has her gift in music. We 
 ran on it through Miss Leslie Winton, who interested Mrs. 
 Minturn in certain wild birds." 
 
 "Yes I know," cried the Professor eagerly. 
 
 "When she became certain that she had heard a I 
 think she said Song Sparrow, sing Di Provenza from 
 Traviata correct me if I am wrong until she felt that 
 Verdi copied the bird or the bird copied the master, she 
 told my wife, and Nellie was greatly interested." 
 
 "Yes I know," repeated the musician. "She stopped 
 here one day in passing and told me what she had heard 
 from Miss Winton. She asked me if I thought there were 
 enough in the subject to pay for spending a day investi- 
 
 443
 
 444 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 gating it. I knew very little, but on the chance that she 
 would have a more profitable time in the woods than in 
 society, I strongly urged her to go. She heard enough to 
 convince her, for shortly after leaving for her usual sum- 
 mer trip she wrote me twice concerning it." 
 
 "You mean she wrote you about studying bird music?" 
 
 "Yes," said the Professor, "the first letter, if I remem- 
 ber, came from Boston, where she found much progress 
 had been made; there she heard of a man who had gone into 
 the subject more deeply than any one ever before had in- 
 vestigated, and written a book. Her second letter was 
 from the country near Boston, where she had gone to study 
 under his direction. I have thought about taking it up 
 myself at odd times this spring." 
 
 "That is why I am here," said Mr. Minturn. "I want 
 you to begin at once, and go as far as you are able, taking 
 Malcolm with you. The boys have been spending much 
 of their time in the country lately, hiding in blinds, select- 
 ing a bird and practising its notes until they copy them so 
 perfectly they induce it to answer. They are proud as 
 Pompey when they succeed; and it teaches them to recog- 
 nize the birds. I believe this is setting their feet in the 
 right way. But Malcolm has gone so fast and so far, that 
 he may be reproducing some of the most wonderful of the 
 songs, for all I know, for the birds come peering, calling, 
 searching, even to the very branch which conceals him. 
 Isn't it enough for a beginning?" 
 
 "Certainly," said the musician. 
 
 "He's been badly spoiled by women servants," said Mr. 
 Minturn, "but the men are taking that out of him as fast
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 445 
 
 as it can be eliminated. I believe he is interested enough 
 to work. I think his mother will be delighted on her re- 
 turn to find him working at what she so enjoys. Does the 
 proposition interest you?" 
 
 "Deeply!" cried the Professor. "Matters musical are 
 extremely dull here now, and I can't make my usual trip 
 abroad on account of the war; I should be delighted to take 
 up this new subject, which I could make serve me in many 
 ways with my advanced Conservatory pupils." 
 
 "May I make a suggestion?" asked Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Most assuredly," exclaimed the Professor. 
 
 "You noticed I began by admitting I didn't know a 
 thing about it, so I'll not be at all offended if you indorse 
 the statement. My boys are large, and old for the be- 
 ginning they must make. I have to go carefully to find 
 what they care for and will work at; so that I get them 
 started without making them feel confined and forced, and 
 so conceive a dislike for the study to which I think them 
 best adapted. Would you find the idea of going to the 
 country, putting a tuned violin in the hands of the lad, and 
 letting him search for the notes he hears, and then playing 
 the composers' selections to him, and giving his ear a 
 chance, at all feasible?" 
 
 "It's a reversal, but he could try it." 
 
 "Very well, then," said Mr. Minturn rising. "All I 
 stipulate is that you allow the other boys and the tutor to 
 go along and assimilate what they can, and that when 
 you're not occupied with Malcolm, their tutor shall have 
 a chance to work in what he can in the way of spelling* 
 numbers, and nature study. Is it a bargain?"
 
 446 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "A most delightful one on my part, Mr. Minturn/' 
 said Mr. Dovesky. "When shall I begin?" 
 
 "Whenever you have selected the instrument you want 
 the boy to have, call Mr. Tower at my residence and ar- 
 range with him- to come for you," said Mr. Minturn. " You 
 can't start too soon to suit the boy or me." 
 
 "Very well then, I'll make my plans and call the first 
 'thing in the morning," said the Professor. 
 
 James Minturn went home and told what he had done. 
 
 "Won't that be great, Malcolm?" cried James Jr. 
 ""Maybe you can do the music so well you can be a bird- 
 man and stand upon a stage before a thousand people and 
 make all of them think you're a bird." 
 
 "I believe I'd like to do it," said Malcolm. "If I find 
 out the people who make music have gone and copied in 
 what the birds sing, and haven't told they did it, I'll tell on 
 them. It's no fair way, 'cause of course the birds sang 
 their songs before men, didn't they father?" 
 
 "I think so, but I can't prove it," said Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Can you prove it, Mr. Tower?" asked Malcolm. 
 
 "Yes," said Mr. Tower, "science proves that the water 
 forms developed first. Crickets were singing before the 
 birds, and both before man appeared." 
 
 ""Then that's what I think," said Malcolm. 
 
 "When are they to begin, James?" asked Mrs. Winslow. 
 
 "Mr. Dovesky is to call Mr. Tower in the morning and 
 -tell him what arrangements he has been able to make," 
 answered Mr. Minturn. "Malcolm, you are old enough 
 to recognize that he is a great man, and it is a big thing for 
 him to leave his Conservatory and his work, and go to the
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 447 
 
 woods to help teach one small boy what the birds say. 
 You'll be very polite and obey him instantly, will you not ?"" 
 
 "Do I have to mind him just like he was Mr. Tower?** 
 
 "I don't think you are obeying Mr. Tower because you 
 must," said Aunt Margaret. "Seems to me I saw you 
 with your arms around his neck last night, and I think I 
 heard you tell him that you'd give him all your money, 
 except for your violin, if he wouldn't go away this winter. 
 Honestly, Malcolm, do you obey Mr. Tower because you 
 feel forced to?" 
 
 "No!" cried Malcolm. "We have dandy times! And 
 we are learning a lot too! I wonder if Mr. Dovesky will 
 join our campfire?' 
 
 "Very probably he'll be eager to," said Mrs. Winslow, 
 "and more than likely you'll obey him, just as you do 
 father and Mr. Tower, because you love to." 
 
 "Father, are William and I going to study the birds?" 
 asked James. 
 
 "If you like," said Mr. Minturn. "It would please me 
 greatly if each of you would try hard to understand what 
 Mr. Dovesky teaches Malcolm, and to learn all of it you 
 can, and to produce creditable bird calls if possible; and 
 of course these days you're not really educated unless you 
 know the birds, flowers, and animals around you. It is 
 now a component and delightful part of life." 
 
 "Gee, it's a pity mother isn't here," said Malcolm. "I 
 bet she knows more about it than Mr. Dovesky." 
 
 " I bet she does, too," agreed James. " But she wouldn't 
 go where we do. There isn't a party there, and if a mos- 
 quito bit her she'd have a fit."
 
 448 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Aw! She would if she wanted to!" insisted Malcolm. 
 
 "Well she wouldn't want to!" said James. 
 
 "Well she might, smarty," said Malcolm. "She did 
 once! I saw the boots and skirt she was going to wear. 
 Don't you wish she liked the things we do better than 
 parties, father?" 
 
 "Yes, I wish she did," said Mr. Minturn. "Maybe 
 some day she will." 
 
 "If she'd hear me call the quail and the whip-poor-will, 
 she'd like it," said Malcolm. 
 
 "She wouldn't like it well enough to stay away from a 
 party to go with you to hear it," said James. 
 
 "She might!" persisted Malcolm. "She didn't know 
 about this when she went to the parties. When she comes 
 back I'm going to tell her; and I'm going to take her to 
 hear me, and I'll show her the flowers and my fish-pond, 
 and yours and father's. Wouldn't it be fun if she'd wear 
 the boots again, and make a fish-pond too?" 
 
 "Yes, she'd wear boots!" scoffed James. 
 
 "Well she would if she wanted to," reiterated Malcolm. 
 "She wore them when she wanted to hear the birds; if she 
 did once, she would again, if she pleased." 
 
 "Well she wouldn't please," laughed James. 
 
 "Well she might" said Malcolm stubbornly. "Mightn't 
 she, father?" 
 
 "If she went once, I see no reason why she shouldn't 
 again," said Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Course she'll go again!" triumphed Malcolm. "I'll 
 make her, when she comes." 
 
 "Yes 'when' she comes!" jeered James. "She won't
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 449 
 
 ever live here! She wouldn't think this was good enough 
 for Lucette and Gretchen! And she gave away our house 
 for the sick children, and she hates it at grandmother's 1 
 Bet she doesn't ever come again!" 
 
 "Bet she does!" said Malcolm instantly. 
 
 "Would you like to have mother come here, Malcolm?" 
 interrupted Mr. Minturn quietly. 
 
 "Why " he said and shifted his questioning gaze to- 
 ward Aunt Margaret, "why why well, I'll tell you, 
 father: if she would wear boots and go see the birds and 
 
 the flowers if she would do as we do Sometimes in 
 
 the night I wake up and think how pretty she is, and I just 
 get hungry to see her but of course it would only kick up 
 a row for her to come here of course she better stay 
 away but father, if she would come, and if she would wear 
 the boots and if she'd let old slapping Lucette go, and live 
 as we do, father, wouldn't that be great ? " 
 
 "Yes I think it would," said James Minturn con- 
 clusively, as he excused himself and arose from the 
 table. 
 
 "James," said Malcolm, when they went to their 
 schoolroom, "if Mr. Dovesky goes to shutting us up in the 
 study and won't let us play while we learn, what will we do 
 to him to make him sick of his job?" 
 
 " Oh things would turn up ! " replied James. " But Mal- 
 colm, wouldn't you kind o' hate to have him see you be 
 mean?" 
 
 "Well father saw us be mean," said Malcolm. 
 
 "Yes, but what would you give if he hadn't ?" 
 
 "I'm not proud of it," replied Malcolm.
 
 450 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Yes and that's just it !" cried James. " That's just what 
 comes of living here. All of them are so polite, and if you 
 are halfway decent they are so good to you, and they help 
 you to do things that will make you into a man who needn't 
 be ashamed of himself that's just it! How would you 
 like to go back and be so rough and so mean nobody at all 
 would care for us?" 
 
 "Father wouldn't let us, would he?" asked Malcolm. 
 
 "He wouldn't if he could help it," said James. "He 
 didn't used to seem as if he could help it. Don't you re- 
 member he would tell us it was not the right way, and try 
 to have us be decent, and Lucette would tell mother, and 
 mother would fire him? I wonder how she could! And 
 if she could then, why doesn't she now? I guess he 
 doesn't want to stop her party to bother with us; but if she 
 ever comes and wants to take us back like we were, Mal- 
 colm, I'm not going. I like what we got now. Mother al- 
 ways said we were to be gentlemen; but we never could be 
 that way. Father and Mr. Tower and Mr. Dovesky are 
 gentlemen, just as kind, and easy, and fine. When we 
 were mean as could be, and acted like fight-cats, you re- 
 member father and Mr. Tower only held us; they didn't get 
 mad and beat us. If mother comes you may go with her if 
 you want to." 
 
 "I wish she'd come with us!" said Malcolm. 
 
 *'Not mother! We ain't her kind of a party." 
 
 "I know it," admitted Malcolm slowly. "Sometimes L 
 want her just awful. I wonder why?" 
 
 "I guess it's 'cause a boy is born wanting his mother. I 
 want her myself a lot of times, but I wouldn't go with her if
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 45 r 
 
 she'd come to-day, so I don't know why I want her, but I 
 do sometimes." 
 
 "I didn't know you did," said Malcolm. 
 
 " Well I do," said James, " but I ain't ever going. Often 
 I think the queerest things!" 
 
 "What queer things do you think, James?" 
 
 "Why like this," said James. "That it ain't safe to let 
 children be jerked, and their heads knocked. You know 
 what Lucette did to Elizabeth? I think she hit her head 
 too hard. She gave me more cake, and said I was a good 
 boy for saying the ice made her sick, but all the time I 
 thought it was hitting her head. I wouldn't be the boy who 
 said that again, if I had to be shot for not saying it, like the 
 French boy was about the soldiers. 'Member that day?'* 
 
 "Yes I do," said Malcolm shortly. 
 
 "You know you coaxed her off the bench, and I pushed 
 her in!" said James, slowly. 
 
 "Yes," said Malcolm. "And' I kicked her. And I 
 wasn't mad at her a bit. I wonder why I did it!" 
 
 "I guess you did it because you were more of an animal 
 than a decent boy, same as I pushed her," said James, "I 
 guess I won't ever forget that I pushed her." 
 
 "Pushing her wasn't as bad as what I did," said Mal- 
 colm. "I guess ain't either one of us going to feel right 
 about Elizabeth again, long as we live." 
 
 "Malcolm, we can't get her back," said James, "but if 
 any way happens that we ever get another little sister, 
 we'll take care of her like father wanted to" 
 
 "You bet we will!" said Malcolm. 
 
 Next morning the boys had the car ready. They
 
 452 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 packed in all their bird books, their flower records, and 
 botanies, and were eagerly waiting when the call from Mr. 
 Dovesky came. At once they drove to his home for him, 
 and from there to a music store where a violin was selected 
 for Malcolm. 
 
 Mr. Dovesky was so big, the boys stood in awe of his 
 size. He was so clean, no boy would want him to see him 
 dirty. He was so handsome, it was good to watch his face, 
 because you had to like him when he smiled. He was so 
 polite, that you never for a minute forgot that soon you 
 were going to be a man, and if you could be the man you 
 wished, you would be exactly like him. Both boys were 
 very shy of him and very much afraid his entrance into 
 their party would spoil their fun. 
 
 When they left the music store, Malcolm carefully car- 
 rying his new violin, Mr. Dovesky his, and a roll of music, 
 the boys with anxious hearts awaited developments. 
 
 "Now Mr. Tower," said Mr. Dovesky, "suppose we 
 drive wherever you are likely to find the birds you have 
 been practising on, and for a start let me hear just what you 
 have done and can do, and then I can plan better to work 
 in with you." 
 
 When they reached the brook they stopped to show the 
 fish pools and then entered an old orchard, long abandoned 
 for fruit growing and so worm infested as to make it a bird 
 Paradise. Cuckoos, jays, robins, bluebirds, thrashers, 
 orioles, sparrows, and vireos, nested there, singing on wing, 
 among the trees, on the fences, and from bushes in the 
 corners. 
 
 Malcolm and Mr. Dovesky secreted themselves on a
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 453 
 
 board laid across the rails of an alder-filled fence corner, 
 then the boy began pointing out the birds he knew and 
 giving his repetition of their calls, cries, bits of song, some- 
 times whistled, sometimes half spoken, half whistled, any 
 vocal rendition that would produce the bird tones. He 
 had practised carefully, he was slightly excited, and sooner 
 than usual he received replies. Little feathered folk came 
 peeping, peering, calling, and beyond question answering 
 Malcolm's notes. In an hour Mr. Dovesky was holding 
 his breath with interest, suggesting corrections, trying 
 notes himself, and when he felt he had whistled accurately 
 and heard a bird reply, he was as proud as the boy. 
 
 Then a thing happened that none of them had men- 
 tioned, because they were not sure enough that it would. 
 A brown thrush, catching the unusual atmosphere of the 
 orchard that morning, selected the tallest twig of an apple 
 tree and showed that orchard what real music was. 
 
 The thrush preened, flirted his feathers, opened his beak 
 widely and sang his first liquid notes. "Starts on C," 
 commented Mr. Dovesky softly. 
 
 "Three times, and does it over, to show us we needn't 
 think it was an accident and he can't do it as often as he 
 pleases," whispered Malcolm. Mr. Dovesky glanced at 
 the boy and nodded. 
 
 "There he goes from C to E," he commented an instant 
 later, " repeats that C again, falls to B, up to G, repeats 
 that I wish he would wait till I get my pencil." 
 
 "I can give it to you," said Malcolm. "He does each 
 strain over as soon as he sings it. I know his song!' 
 
 On the back of an envelope, Mr. Dovesky was sketching
 
 454 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 a staff of music in natural key, setting off measures and 
 filling in notes. As the bird confused him with repetitions 
 or trills on E or C so high he had to watch sharply to catch 
 just what it was, his fingers trembled when he added lines 
 to the staff" for the highest notes. For fifteen minutes the 
 blessed bird sang, and at each rendition of its full strain, it 
 seemed to grow more intoxicated with its own perform- 
 ance. Finishing the last notes perfectly, the bird gave a 
 hop, glanced around as if he were saying: "Now any one 
 who thinks he can surpass that, has my permission to try." 
 From a bush a small gray bird meouwed in derision and ac- 
 cepted the challenge. The watchers could not see him, 
 but he came so close singing the same song that he de- 
 ceived Mr. Dovesky, for he said: "He's going to do it over 
 from the bushes now!" 
 
 "Listen!" cautioned Malcolm. "Don't you hear the 
 difference? He starts the same, but he runs higher, he 
 drops lower, and does it quicker, and I think the notes 
 clearer and sweeter when the little gray fellow sings them, 
 and you should see his nest! Do you like him better?" 
 
 "Humph!" said Mr. Dovesky. "Why I was so en- 
 tranced with the first performance I didn't suppose any- 
 thing could be better. I must have time to learn both 
 songs, and analyze and compare." 
 
 "I can't do gray's yet," said Malcolm. "It's so fine, 
 *nd cut up, with going up and down on the jump, but I got 
 *:he start of it, and the part that goes this way " 
 
 "This is my work!" cried Mr. Dovesky. "Is there any 
 chance the apple-tree bird will repeat his performance?" 
 
 "Mostly he doesn't till evening," answered Malcolm.
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 455 
 
 "He's pretty sure to again to-morrow morning, but old 
 cat of the bushes, he sings any time it suits him all day. 
 His nest isn't where he sings, and he doesn't ever perch up 
 so high and make such a fuss about it, but I think mother 
 would like his notes best." 
 
 "First," said Mr. Dovesky, "I'll take down what Mr. 
 Brown Bird sang, and learn it. I'd call that a good start, 
 and when I get his song so I can whistle, and play it on 
 the instruments, then we'll go at Mr. Cat's song, and 
 see if I can learn why, and in what way you think it 
 finer." 
 
 "Oh, it goes from high to low quicker, more notes in a 
 bunch, and sweeter tones trilling," explained Malcolm. 
 Mr. Dovesky laughed, saying in a question of music that 
 would constitute quite a difference. They went to the 
 brook and lunched and made easy records of syllabic calls 
 that could be rendered in words and by whistling. Then 
 all of them gathered around Mr. Dovesky while he drew 
 lines, crossed them with bands and explained the staff, and 
 different time, and signatures, and together they had their 
 first music lesson. 
 
 Malcolm whistled the thrush song while Mr. Dovesky 
 copied the notes, tuned the violin, and showed the boy how 
 the strings corresponded to the lines he had made, where 
 the notes lay on them, and how to draw them out with the 
 bow. He could not explain fast enough to satisfy the 
 eager lad. After Mr. Dovesky had gone as far as he 
 thought wise, and left off with music, he wandered with 
 Mr. Tower hunting flowers in which he seemed almost as 
 much interested as the music. Malcolm clung to the
 
 456 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 violin, and over and over ran the natural scale he had been 
 taught; then slowly, softly, with wavering awkward bow, 
 he began whistling plain easy calls, and hunting up and 
 down the strings for them. 
 
 That day was the beginning. Others did not dawn fast 
 enough to suit Malcolm, while the ease with which he mas- 
 tered the songs of the orchard and reproduced them, in a 
 few days set him begging to be taken to the swamp to hear 
 the bird that sang "from the book." Leslie Winton was 
 added to the party that day. Malcolm came from the 
 land of the tamarack obsessed. James, William, and the 
 tutor did not care for that location, but Malcolm and Mr. 
 Dovesky wanted to erect a tent and take provisions and 
 their instruments and live among the dim coolness, where 
 miracles of song burst on the air at any moment. They 
 heard and identified the veery. They went on their knees 
 at their first experience with the clear, bell-toned notes of 
 the wood thrush. With a little practice Malcolm could 
 reproduce the "song from the book." He talked of it in- 
 cessantly, sang and whistled it, making patent to every 
 member of the family that what was in his heart was fully 
 as much a desire to do the notes so literally that he would 
 win the commendation of his mother, as to obtain an an- 
 swer from an unsuspecting bird; for that was the sport. 
 The big thing for which to strive! They worked to obtain 
 a record so accurately, to reproduce it so perfectly that the 
 bird making it would answer and come at their call. The 
 day Malcolm, hidden in the tamarack swamp, coaxed the 
 sparrow, now flitting widely in feeding its young, he knew 
 not how far, to the bush sheltering him, and with its own
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 457 
 
 notes set it singing against him as a rival, the boy was no 
 happier than Mr. Dovesky. 
 
 Mr. Minturn could not quite agree to the camp at the 
 swamp, but he provided a car and a driver and allowed 
 them to go each morning and often to remain late at night 
 to practise owl and nighthawk calls, veery notes, chat cries, 
 and the unsurpassed melody of the evening vespers of the 
 Hermit bird. This song once heard, comprehended, 
 copied, and reproduced, the musician and the boy with 
 music in his heart, brain, and finger tips, clung to each 
 other and suffered the exquisite pain of the artist experi- 
 encing joy so poignant it hurt. After a mastery of those 
 notes as to time, tone, and grouping, came the task of per- 
 fecting them so that the bird would reply. 
 
 Hours they practised until far in the night, and when 
 Malcolm felt he really had located a bird, gained its atten- 
 tion, and set it singing against him, he was wild, and noth- 
 ing would satisfy him but that his father should go to the 
 swamp with him, and well hidden, hear and see that he 
 called the bird. Gladly Mr. Minturn assented. Whether 
 the boy succeeded in this was a matter of great importance 
 to his father, but it was not paramount. The thing that 
 concerned him most was that Malcolm's interest in what 
 he was doing, his joy in the study he was making, had bred 
 a deep regard in his heart for his instructor. The boy 
 loved the man intensely in a few days, and immediately 
 began studying with him, watching him, copying him. He 
 moved with swift alertness, spoke with care to select the 
 best word, and was fast becoming punctiliously polite. 
 
 On their return Mr. Dovesky had fallen into the habit of
 
 453 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 lunching with the Minturns. The things of which he and 
 the boy reminded each other, the notes they reproduced by 
 whistling, calling, or a combination, the execution of these 
 on the violin, the references Mr. Dovesky made to certain 
 bird songs which recalled to his mind passages in operas, in 
 secular and sacred productions, his rendition of the wild 
 music, and then the human notes, his comparison of the 
 two, and his remarks on different composers, his mastery 
 of the violin, and his ability to play long passages preced- 
 ing and following tl.e parts taken from the birds, were in- 
 tensely absorbing and educative to all of them. Then Mr. 
 Tower would add the description and history of each bird 
 in question. Mr. Minturn started the boys' library with 
 interesting works on ornithology, everything that had been 
 written concerning strains in bird and human music; the 
 lives and characters of the musicians in whose work the 
 bird passages appeared, or who used melodies so like the 
 birds it made the fact apparent the feathered folk had in- 
 spired them. This led to minute examination of the lives 
 of the composers, in an effort to discover which of them 
 were country born and had worked in haunts where birds 
 might be heard. The differing branches of information 
 opened up seemed endless. The change this work made 
 in the boys appeared to James Minturn and his sister as 
 something marvellous. That the work was also making a 
 change in the heart of the man himself, was an equal mir- 
 acle he did not realize. 
 
 As each day new avenues opened, he began to under- 
 stand dimly how much it would have meant to him in his 
 relations with his wife, if he had begun long ago under her
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 459 
 
 tuition and learned, at least enough to appreciate the one 
 thing outside society, which she found absorbing. He 
 began to see that if he had listened, and tried, and had in- 
 duced her to repeat to him parts of the great composers she 
 so loved, on her instruments, when they reached home, he 
 soon could have come to recognize them, and so an evening 
 at the opera with her would have meant pleasure to him- 
 self instead of stolid endurance. Ultimately it might have 
 meant an effective wedge with which to pry against the 
 waste of time, strength and money on the sheer amusement 
 of herself in society. Once he started searching for them, 
 he found many ways in which he might have made his life 
 with his wife different, if indeed he had not had it in his 
 power to effect a complete change by having been firm in 
 the beginning. 
 
 Of this one thing he was sure to certainty: that if he had 
 been able to introduce any such element of interest into 
 his wife's residence as he had, through merely saying the 
 word, in his own, it surely would have made some of the 
 big difference then it was making now. He found him- 
 self brooding, yearning over his sons, and his feeling for 
 them broadening and deepening. As he daily saw James 
 seeking more and more to be with him, to understand what 
 he was doing, his pride in being able to feel that he had 
 helped if it were no more than to sit in court and hand a 
 marked book at the right moment, he began to make a com- 
 rade of, and to develop a feeling of dependence on, the boy. 
 
 He watched Malcolm with his quicker intellect, his 
 daily evidence of temperament, his rapidly developing 
 musical ability, and felt the tingle of pride in his lithe
 
 460 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 ruddy beauty, so like his mother, and his talent, so like 
 hers. The boy, under the interest of the music, and with 
 the progress he was making in doing a new, unusual 
 thing, soon began to develop her mannerisms; when he was 
 most polite, her charm was apparent; when he was 
 offended, her hauteur enveloped him. When he was 
 pleased and happy, her delicate tinge of rose flushed his 
 transparent cheek, while the lights on his red-brown hair 
 glinted with her colour. He shut himself in his room and 
 worked with his violin until time to start to the tamarack 
 swamp. When Mr. Minturn promptly appeared with the 
 car, he found Malcolm had borrowed Mr. Dovesky's 
 khaki suit and waders for him, and on the advice of the boy 
 he wore the stiff coarse clothing, which the tamaracks 
 would not tear, the mosquitoes could not bite through, and 
 muck and water would not easily penetrate there were 
 many reasons. 
 
 When they reached the swamp both of them put on 
 boots and then, following his son and doing exactly what 
 he was told, James Minturn forgot law, politics, and busi- 
 ness. With anxious heart he prayed that the bird the lad 
 wished to sing would evolve its sweetest notes, and that 
 his high hope of reproducing the music perfectly enough to 
 induce the singer to answer would be fulfilled. Malcolm 
 advanced softly, slipping under branches, around bushes, 
 over deep moss beds that sank in an ooze of water at the 
 pressure of a step and sprung back on release. Imitating 
 every caution, stepping in the boy's tracks, and keeping 
 a few rods behind, followed his father. He had rolled his 
 sleeves to the elbow, left his shirt open at the throat, while
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 461 
 
 for weeks the joy of wind and weather on his bared head 
 had been his, so that as he silently followed his son he 
 made an impressive figure. At a certain point Malcolm 
 stopped, motioning his father to come to him. 
 
 "Now this is as far as I've gone yet," he whispered. 
 "You stay here, and we'll wait till the music begins. If I 
 can do it as well as I have for three nights, and get an an- 
 swer, I'm going to try to call the Hermit bird I sing with. 
 If a hen answers, I'll do the male notes, and try to coax 
 her where you can see. If a male sings, I'll do his song 
 once or twice to show you how close I can come, and then 
 I'll do the hen's call note, and see if I can coax him out for 
 you. If I creep ahead, you keep covered as much as you 
 can and follow; but stay as far as that big tree behind me, 
 and don't for your life move or make a noise when I'm still. 
 I'll go far ahead as I want to be, to start on. Now don't 
 forget to be quiet, and listen hard!" 
 
 "I won't forget!" said James Minturn. 
 
 "Oh but it will be awful if one doesn't sing to-night!" 
 
 "Not at all!" answered Mr. Minturn. "This is a new 
 experience for me; I'll get the benefit of a sight of the 
 swamp that will pay for the trip, if I don't even see a bird." 
 
 By the boy's sigh of relief the father knew he had quieted 
 his anxiety. Malcolm went softly ahead a few yards, and 
 stopped, sheltering himself in a clump of willow and button 
 bushes. His father made himself as inconspicuous as he 
 could and waited. He studied the trunks of the big scaly 
 trees, the intermingled branches covered with tufts of tiny 
 spines, and here and there the green cones nestling up- 
 right. The cool water rising around hrs feet called his at-
 
 462 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 tention to the deep moss bed, silvery green in the evening 
 light. Here and there on moss mounds at the tree bases 
 he could see the broad leaves and ripening pods that he 
 thought must be moccasins seeding. Then his eye sought 
 the crouching boy, and he again prayed that he would not 
 be disappointed; with his prayer came the answer. A 
 sweep of wings overhead, a brown flash through the tama- 
 jacks, and then a burst of slow, sweet notes, then silence- 
 James Minturn leaned forward, his eyes on his son, his 
 precious little lad. How the big strong man hoped, until 
 it became the very essence of prayer, that he would be 
 granted the pride and pleasure, the triumph, of success; 
 for his ears told him that to reproduce the notes he had 
 just heard would undoubtedly be the crowning perform- 
 ance of bird music; surely there could be no other song- 
 ster gifted like that! The bird made a short flight and 
 sang again. Across the swamp came a repetition of his 
 notes from another of his kind, so the brown streak moved 
 in that direction. At its next pause its voice arose again, 
 sweeter for the mellowing distance, and then another bird, 
 not so far away, answered. The bird replied and came 
 winging in sight, this time peering, uttering a short note, 
 unlike its song; and not until it came searching where he 
 could see it distinctly, did James Minturn awake to the 
 realization that the last notes had been Malcolm's. His 
 heart swelled big with prideful possession. What a won- 
 derful accomplishment! What a fine boy! How careful 
 he must be to help and to guide him. 
 
 Again the bird across the swamp sang and the one in 
 sight turned in that direction Then began a duet that
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 463 
 
 was a marvellous experience. The far bird called. Mal- 
 colm answered. Soon they heard a reply. Mr. Minturn 
 saw the boy beckoning him, and crept to his side. 
 
 "It's a female," whispered Malcolm. "I'm going to 
 sing the male notes and calls, and try to toll her. You 
 follow, but don't get too close and scare her." 
 
 The father could see the tense poise of Malcolm, step- 
 ping lightly, avoiding the open, stooping beneath branches, 
 hiding in bushes, making his way onward, at every com- 
 plete ambush sending forth those wonderful notes. At 
 each repetition it seemed to the father that the song grew 
 softer, more pleading, of fuller intonation; and then his 
 heart almost stopped, for he began to realize that each an- 
 swer to the boy's call was closer than the one before. Mal- 
 colm would sleep that night with a joyful heart. He was 
 tolling the bird he imitated; it was coming at his call, of 
 that there could be no question. His last notes came from 
 a screen of spreading button bushes and northern holly. 
 At the usual interval they heard the reply, but recogniz- 
 ably closer. Malcolm raised his hand without moving or 
 looking back, but his father saw, and interpreted the ges- 
 ture to mean that the time had come for him to stop. He 
 took a few steps to conceal himself, for he was between 
 trees when the signal came, and paused, already so elated 
 he wanted to shout; he scarcely could restrain the impulse. 
 What was the use in going farther? His desire was to race 
 back to Multiopolis at speed limit to tell Mr. Dovesky, 
 Margaret, and Mr. Tower what a triumph he had wit- 
 nessed. He wanted to talk about it to his men friends and 
 business associates.
 
 464 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Distinctly, through the slowly darkening green, he 
 could see the boy putting all his heart into the song. 
 James Minturn watched so closely he was not mistaken in 
 thinking he could see the lad's figure grow tense as he de- 
 livered the notes, and relax when the answer relieved his 
 anxiety as to whether it would come again, and then gather 
 for another trial. At the last call the reply came from 
 such a short distance that Mr. Minturn began intently 
 watching from his shelter to witness the final triumph of 
 seeing the bird Malcolm had called across the swamp, 
 come into view. He could see that the boy was growing 
 reckless, for as he delivered the strain, he stepped almost 
 into the open, watching before him and slowly going 
 ahead. With the answer, there was a discernible move- 
 ment a few yards away. Mr. Minturn saw the boy start, 
 and gazed at him. With bent body Malcolm stared before 
 him, and then his father heard his amazed, awed cry: 
 "Why mother ! Is that you, mother?" 
 
 "Malcolm! Are you Malcolm?" came the incredulous 
 answer. 
 
 James Minturn w r as stupefied. Distinctly he could see 
 now. He did not recognize the knee boots, the outing suit 
 of coarse green material, but the beautiful pink face slowly 
 paling, the bright waving hair framing it, he knew very 
 well. Astonishment bound him. Malcolm advanced an- 
 other step, still half dazed, and cried: "Why, have I been 
 calling you? I thought it was the bird I saw, still answer- 
 ing!" 
 
 "And I believed you were the Hermit singing!" she 
 said.
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 465 
 
 "But you fooled the bird," said the boy. "Close here it 
 answered you." 
 
 "And near me it called you," said Mrs. Minturn. "Your 
 notes were quite as perfect." 
 
 Malcolm straightened and seemed reassured. 
 
 "Why mother!" he exclaimed. "When did you study 
 bird music? Have you just come back?" 
 
 "I've been away only two weeks, Malcolm," she an- 
 swered, "and if it hadn't been for learning the bird notes, 
 I'd have returned sooner." 
 
 "But where have you been ?" cried the boy. 
 
 "At home. I reserved my suite!" she answered. 
 
 " But home's all torn up, and pounding and sick people, 
 and you hate pounding and sick people," he reminded her. 
 
 "There wasn't so very much noise, Malcolm," she said, 
 "and I've changed about sickness. You have to suffer 
 yourself to do that. Once you learn how dreadful pain 
 is, you feel only pity for those who endure it. Every night 
 when the nurses are resting, I change so no one knows me, 
 and slip into the rooms of the suffering little children who 
 can't sleep, and try to comfort them." 
 
 "Mother, who takes care of you ?" he questioned. 
 
 "A very sensible girl named Susan," she answered. 
 
 The boy went a step closer. 
 
 "Mother, have you changed about anything besides 
 sickness?" he asked eagerly. 
 
 "Yes Malcolm," said his mother. "I've changed about 
 every single thing in all this world that I ever said, or did, 
 or loved, when you knew me." 
 
 "You have?" he cried in amazement. "Would you
 
 466 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 wear that dress and come to the woods with us now, and 
 do some of the things we like?" 
 
 "I'd rather come here with you, and sing these bird 
 notes than anything else I ever did," she answered. 
 
 Malcolm advanced another long stride. 
 
 "Mother, is Susan a pounding, beating person like Lu- 
 cette?" he asked anxiously. 
 
 "No," she said softly. "Susan likes children. When 
 she's not busy for me, she goes into the music room and 
 plays games, and sings songs to little sick people." 
 
 "Because you know," said Malcolm, "James and I talk 
 it over when we are alone, we never let father hear because 
 he loved Elizabeth so, and he's so fine mother you were 
 mistaken about father not being a gentleman, not even Mr. 
 Dovesky is a finer gentleman than father and father 
 loved her so; but mother, James and I saw. We believe if 
 it had been the cream, it would have made us sick too, and 
 we're so ashamed of what we did; if we had another chance, 
 we'd be as good to a little sister as father is to us. Mother, 
 we wish we had her back so we could try again " 
 
 Nellie Minturn shut her eyes and swayed on her feet, 
 but presently she spoke in a harsh, breathless whisper, yet 
 it carried, even to the ears of the listening man. 
 
 "Yes Malcolm, I'd give my life, oh so gladly if I could 
 bring her back and try over " 
 
 "You wouldn't have any person like Lucette around, 
 would you mother?" he questioned. 
 
 "Not ever again Malcolm," she answered. "I'd have 
 Little Sister back if it were possible, but that can't ever be, 
 because when we lose people as Elizabeth went, they never
 
 MALCOLM AND THE HERMIT THRUSH 467 
 
 can come back; but I'll offer my life to come as near re- 
 placing her as possible, and everywhere I've neglected you, 
 and James, and father, I'll do the best there is in me, if any 
 of you love me, or want me in the least, or will give me an 
 opportunity to try.'* 
 
 "Mother, would you come where we are? Would you 
 live as we do?" marvelled the boy. 
 
 "Gladly," she answered. "It's about the only way I 
 could live now, I've given away so much of the money." 
 
 "Then I'll ask father!" cried the boy. "Why I forgot! 
 Father is right back here! Father! Father! Father 
 come quick! Father it wasn't the Hermit bird at all, it 
 was mother! And oh joy, father, joy! She's just changed 
 and changed, till she's most as changed as we are ! She'll 
 come back, father, and she'll go to the woods with us, oh 
 she will! Father, you're glad, aren't you?" 
 
 When Nellie Minturn saw her husband coming across 
 the mosses, his arms outstretched, his face pain-tortured, 
 she came swiftly forward, and as she reached Malcolm, 
 Mr. Minturn caught both of them in his arms crying: 
 "My sweetheart! My beautiful sweetheart, give me an- 
 other chance, and this time I'll be the head of my family in 
 deed and in truth, and I'll make life go right for all of us."
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 
 
 "TT'M SORRY no end!" said Mickey. "First time I 
 ever been late. I was helping Peter; we were so 
 
 A busy that the first thing I knew I heard the hum of 
 her gliding past the clover field, so I was left. I know how 
 hard you're working. It won't happen again." 
 
 Mickey studied his friend closely. He decided the time 
 had come to watch. Douglas Bruce was pale and restless, 
 he spent long periods in frowning thought. He aroused 
 from one of these and asked: "What were you and Peter 
 doing that was so very absorbing?" 
 
 "Well about the most interesting thing that ever hap- 
 pened," said Mickey. "You see Peter is one of the 
 grandest men who ever lived; he's so fine and doing so 
 many big things, in a way he kind of fell behind in the 
 little ones." 
 
 "I've heard of men doing that before," commented 
 Douglas. "Can't you tell me a new one?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "You know the place and how 
 good it seems on the outside well it didn't look so good 
 inside, in the part that counted most. You've noticed the 
 big barns, sheds and outbuildings, all the modern con- 
 veniences for a man, from an electric lantern to a stump 
 puller; everything I'm telling you and for the nice lady, 
 
 468
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 469 
 
 nix! Her work table faced a wall covered with brown oil- 
 cloth, and frying pans heavy enough to sprain Willard, a 
 wood fire to boil clothes and bake bread, in this hot 
 weather, the room so low and dark, no ice box, with acres 
 of ice close every winter, no water inside, no furnace, and 
 carrying washtubs to the kitchen for bathing as well as 
 washing, aw gee you get the picture?" 
 
 "I certainly do," agreed Douglas, "and yet she was a 
 neat, nice-looking little woman." 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "If she had to set up house- 
 keeping in Sunrise Alley in one day you could tell her place 
 from anybody else's. Sure, she's a nice lady! But she 
 has troubles of her own. I guess everybody has/* 
 
 "Yes, I think they have," assented Douglas. "I could 
 muster a few right now, myself." 
 
 "Yes?" cried Mickey. "That's bad! Let's drop this 
 and cut them out." 
 
 "Presently," said Douglas. "My head is so tired it 
 will do me good to think about something else a few min- 
 utes. You were saying Mrs. Harding had trouble; what is 
 it?" 
 
 Mickey returned to his subject with a chuckle. 
 
 "She was 'bout ready to tackle them nervous prostra- 
 tions so popular with the Swell Dames," he explained, 
 "because every morning for fifteen years she'd faced the 
 brown oilcloth and pots and pans, while she'd been wild 
 to watch sunup from under a particular old apple tree; 
 when she might have seen it every morning if Peter had 
 been on his job enough to saw a window in the right place. 
 Get that?"
 
 470 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Yes, I get it," conceded Douglas. "Go on!" 
 
 "Well I began her work so she started right away, and 
 before she got back in comes Peter. When he asks where 
 she was and why she went, I was afraid, but for her sake 
 I told him. I told him everything I had noticed. At first 
 he didn't like it." 
 
 "It's a wonder he didn't break your neck." 
 
 "Well," said Mickey judicially, "as I size Peter up he'd 
 fight an awful fight if he was fighting, but he ain't much on 
 starting a fight. I worked the separator steady, and by 
 and by when I 'summed up the argument,' as a friend of 
 mine says, I guess that cream separator didn't look any 
 bigger to Peter, set beside a full house and two or three 
 sheds for the stuff he'd brought to make his work easier, 
 than it did to me." 
 
 "I'll wager it didn't," laughed Douglas. 
 
 "No it didn't!" cried Mickey earnestly. "And when he 
 stood over it awhile, that big iron stove made his kitchen, 
 where his wife lived most of her day, seem 'bout as hot as 
 my room where he was raving over Lily having been; and 
 when he faced the brown oilcloth and the old iron skillets 
 for a few minutes of silent thought, he bolted at about 
 two. Peter ain't so slow!" 
 
 "What did he do?" asked Douglas. 
 
 "Why we planned to send her on a visit," said Mickey, 
 "and cut that window, and move in the pump, and invest 
 in one of those country gas plants, run on a big tank of 
 gasoline away outside where it's all safe, and a bread- 
 mixer, and a dish-washer, and some lighter cooking things; 
 but we got interned."
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 471 
 
 "How Mickey?" interestedly inquired Douglas. 
 
 "Remember I told you about Junior coming in to hunt 
 work because he was tired of the country, and how it 
 turned out?" said Mickey. 
 
 "Yes I recall perfectly," answered Douglas. 
 
 "There's a good one on me about that I haven't told you 
 yet, but I will," said Mickey. "Well when son came home, 
 wrapped in a comfort, there was a ripping up on the part of 
 Peter. He just 'hurled back the enemy,' and who do you 
 think he hit the hardest?" 
 
 "I haven't an idea," said Douglas. 
 
 "In your shoes, I wouldn't a-had one either," said 
 Mickey. "Well, he didn't go for Junior, or his Ma, or me. 
 Peter stood Mister Peter Harding out before us, and then 
 didn't leave him a leg to stand on. He proved conclusive 
 he'd used every spare moment he'd had since Junior was 
 in short clothes, carrying him to Multiopolis to amuse him,, 
 and feed him treats, and show him shows; so he was to 
 blame if Junior developed a big consuming appetite for such, 
 things. How does the argument strike you?" 
 
 "Sound!" cried Douglas. "Perfectly sound! It's pre- 
 cisely what the land owners are doing every day of their 
 lives, and then wailing because the cities take their chil- 
 dren. I've had that studied out for a year past." 
 
 "Well Peter figured it right there for us in detail," said 
 Mickey. "Then he tackled Ma Harding and her sunup, 
 and then he thought out a way to furnish entertainment 
 and all the modern comforts right there at home." 
 
 "What entertainment?" said Douglas. 
 
 "Well he specified saddles and horses to ride," grinned
 
 472 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey, "and swimming, and a fishing-boat and tackle for 
 all of us, a launch on whatever lake we like best, a big en- 
 tertainment house with a floor for skating and dancing, and 
 a stage for plays we will get up ourselves, and a movie 
 machine. I'm to find out how to run one and teach them, 
 and then he ? ll rent reels and open it twice a week. The 
 big hole that will cave in on the north side of Multiopolis 
 soon now will be caused by the slump when our neighbour- 
 hood withdraws its patronage and begins being enter- 
 tained by Peter. And you'll see that it will work, too!'' 
 
 "Of course it will," agreed Douglas. "Once the country 
 folk get the idea it will go like a landslide. So that's what 
 made you late?" 
 
 "Well connected with that," explained Mickey. "Peter 
 didn't do a thing but figure up the price he'd paid for every 
 labour-saver he ever bought for himself, and he came out a 
 little over six thousand. He said he wouldn't have wanted 
 Ma in a hardware store selecting his implements, so he 
 guessed he wouldn't choose hers. He just drew a check 
 for what he said was her due, with interest, and put it in 
 her name in the bank, and told her to cut loose and spend it 
 exactly as she pleased." 
 
 "What did she do?" marvelled Douglas. 
 
 "Well she was tickled silly, but she didn't lose her head; 
 she began investigating what had been put on the market 
 to meet her requirements. At present we are living on the 
 threshing floor mostly, and the whole house is packed up; 
 when it is unpacked, there'll be a bathroom on the second 
 floor, and a lavatory on the first. There'll be a furnace in 
 one room of the basement, and a coal bin big enough for a
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 473 
 
 winter's supply. We can h*tch on to the trolley line for 
 electric lights all over the house, and barn, and outbuild- 
 ings, and tireless cooker, iron, and vacuum cleaner, and a 
 whole bunch of conveniences for Ma, including a washing 
 machine, and stationary tubs in the basement. Gee! 
 Get the picture?" 
 
 "I surely do! What else Mickey?" asked Douglas. 
 "You know I've a house to furnish soon myself." 
 
 "Well a new kitchen on the other end of the building 
 where there's a breeze, and a big clover field, and a wood, 
 and her work table right where it is in line with her private 
 and particular sunup. There's a big sink with hot and 
 cold water, and a dish-washer. There's a bread-mixer and 
 a little glass churn, both of which can be hitched to the 
 electricity to run. There's a big register from the furnace 
 close the work table for winter, and a gas cook stove that 
 has more works than a watch." 
 
 "What does the lady say about it?" 
 
 ''Mighty little!" said Mickey. "She just stands and 
 wipes the shiny places with her apron or handkerchief, and 
 laughs and cries, 'cause she's so glad. It ain't set up yet, 
 but you can see just standing before it what it's going to 
 mean for her. And there's a chute from the upstairs to 
 the basement, to scoot the wash down to the electric ma- 
 chine to rub them, and a little gas stove with two burners 
 to boil them, and the iron I told you of. Hanging it up is 
 the hardest part of the wash these days, and since they 
 have three big rooms in the basement, Peter thought this 
 morning that he could put all the food in one, and stretch 
 ner lines in the winter for the clothes to dry in the wash-
 
 474 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 room. The furnace will heat it, and it's light and clean; 
 we are going to paint it when everything is 4 in place." 
 
 "Is that all?" queried Douglas. 
 
 "It's a running start," said Mickey; "I don't know as 
 Peter will ever get to 'all/ The kitchen is going to have 
 white woodwork, and blue walls and blue linoleum, and 
 new blue-and-white enamelled cooking things from start 
 to finish, with no iron in the bunch except two skillets 
 saved for frying. Even the dishpan is going to be blue, 
 and she's crying and laughing same time while she hems 
 blue-and-white wash curtains for the windows. All the 
 house is going to have hardwood floors, the rooms cut more 
 convenient; out goes the old hall into just a small place to 
 take off your wraps, and the remainder added to the par- 
 lour. All the carpets and the old heavy curtains are being 
 ground up and woven into rugs. Gee, it's an insurrection ! 
 Ma Harding and I surely started things when we planned 
 to dose Junior on Multiopolis, and let her 'view the land- 
 scape o'er/ You can tell by her face she's seeing it! If 
 she sails into the port o' glory looking more glorified, it'll 
 be a wonder! And Peter! You ought to see Peter! And 
 Junior! You should see Junior planning his room. And 
 Mickey! You must see Mickey planning his! And Mary 
 and Bobbie! And above all, you should see Lily! Last I 
 saw of her, Peter was holding her under her arms, and she 
 was shoving her feet before her trying to lift them up a 
 little. We've most rubbed them off her with fine sand, 
 and then stuck them in cold water, and then sanded them 
 again, and they're not the same feet that's a cinch!" 
 
 "Is that the sum of the Harding improvements?" asked
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 475 
 
 Douglas, drawing fine lines on a sheet of figures before 
 him. 
 
 "Well it's a fair showing/' said Mickey. "We ain't 
 got the new rugs, and the music box, and the books; or the 
 old furniture rubbed and oiled yet. When the house is 
 finished, Peter expressly specified that his lady was to get 
 her clothes so she could go to the club house, and not be 
 picked for a country woman by what she wore" 
 
 "Mickey, this is so interesting it has given my head 
 quite a rest. Maybe now I can see my way clearly. But 
 one thing more: how long are you planning to stay there? 
 You talk as if " 
 
 " ' Stay there ? ' " said Mickey. " Didn't you hear me say 
 there was a horse and saddle and a room for me, and a 
 room for Lily ? * Stay there ! ' Why for ever and ever more ! 
 That's home ! When I got into trouble and called on 
 Peter to throw a lifeline, he did it up browner than his job 
 for Ma. A line was all I asked; but Peter established a regu- 
 lar Pertectorate nobody can ' get' us now " 
 
 "You mean Peter adopted both of you?" cried Douglas. 
 
 "Sure!" indorsed Mickey with a flourish. "You see it 
 was like this : when we dosed Junior with Multiopolis, the 
 old threshing machine took a hand and did some things to 
 him that wasn't on the program; he found out about it, 
 and it made him mad. When he got his dander up he hit 
 back by turning old Miss Country loose on me. First I 
 tried a ram and yellow jackets; then only a little bunch of 
 maple twigs was all the pull I had to keep me from going to 
 the bottomless pit by the way of the nastiest quicksand on 
 Atwater Lake. Us fellows went back one day and fed it
 
 476 , MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 logs bigger than I am, and it sucked them down like Peter 
 does a plate of noodles. Then Junior thought curling a 
 big dead rattler in the path, and shunting me so I'd step 
 right on it, would be a prime joke; but he didn't figure on 
 the snake he had fixed for me having a mate as big and ugly 
 as it was, that would follow and coil zipping mad over the 
 warm twisting body " 
 
 "Mickey!" gasped Douglas. 
 
 "Just so! Exactly what I thought and then some. 
 When I dragged what was left of me home that night, and 
 figured out where I'd been if the big maple hadn't spread 
 its branch just as wide as it did, or if the snake had hit my 
 leg 'stead of my britches when I took my bearings and 
 saw where I was at, the thing that really hurt me worst was 
 that if I'd gone, either down or up, I hadn't done anything 
 for Lily but give her a worse horror than she had, of being 
 'got' by them Orphings' Home people, when I should have 
 made her safe forever. I took Peter to the barn and told 
 him just how it was, 'cause I felt mighty queer. I wasn't 
 so sure that one scratch on my leg that looked ugly 
 mightn't a-been the snake striking through the cloth and 
 dosing me some, I was so sick and swelled up; it turned out 
 to be yellow jackets, but it might a-been snakes, and I was 
 a little upset. As man to man I asked him what I ought 
 to do for my family 'fore I took any more risks. A-body 
 would have thought the jolt the box gave me would have 
 been enough, but it wasn't! It took the snake and the 
 quicksand to just right real wake me up. First I was some 
 sore on Junior; but pretty quick I saw how funny it was, so 
 I got over it "
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 477 
 
 "He should have had his neck broken!'* 
 
 "Wope! Wope! Back up!" cautioned Mickey. "Noth- 
 ing of the kind! You ain't figuring on the starving, the 
 beating, being knocked senseless, robbed of all his clothes 
 twice, and landing in the morgue with the cleaning-house 
 victims. Gee, Junior had reasons for his grouch!" 
 
 Douglas Bruce suddenly began to laugh wildly. 
 
 "Umhum! That's what I told you," said Mickey. 
 "Well, that night I laid the case before Peter, out on the 
 hay wagon in the barnyard, so moon white you could have 
 read the Herald, the cattle grunting satisfied all around us, 
 katydids insisting on it emphatic, crickets chirping, and 
 the old rooster calling ofFthe night watches same as he did 
 for that first Peter, who denied his Lord. I thought about 
 that, as I sat and watched the big fellow slowly whittling 
 the rack, and once in a while putting in a question, and 
 when I'd told him all there was to tell, he said this: he said 
 sure Lily was mine, and I had a perfect right to keep her; 
 but the law might butt in, 'cause there was a law we 
 couldn't evade that could step in and take her any day. 
 He said too, that if she had to go to the hospital, sudden, 
 first question a surgeon would ask was who were her par- 
 ents, and if she had none, who in their place could give him 
 a right to operate. He said while she was mine, and it was 
 my right, and my job, the law and the surgeon would say 
 wo, 'cause we were not related, and I was not of age. He 
 said there were times when the law got its paddle in, and 
 went to fooling with red tape, it let a sick person lay and die 
 while it decided what to do. He said he'd known a few 
 just exactly such cases; so to keep the law from making a
 
 478 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 fool of itself, as it often did, we'd better step in and fix 
 things to suit us before it ever got a showdown." 
 
 "What did he do?" asked Douglas Bruce eagerly. 
 
 "Well, after we'd talked it over we moved up to the 
 back porch and Peter explained to Ma, who is the boss of 
 that family, only she doesn't know it, and she said for him 
 to do exactly what his conscience and his God dictated. 
 That's where his namesake put it over that first Peter. 
 Our Peter said: 'Well if God is to dictate my course, you 
 remember what He said about "suffering the little chil- 
 dren to come to Him," and we are commanded to be like 
 Him, so there's no way to twist it, but that it means suffer 
 them to come to us,' he said. 
 
 "Ma she spoke quick and said: 'Well we've got them!' 
 
 "Peter said, 'Yes, we've got them; now the question is 
 whether we keep them, or send them to an Orphings' 
 Home/ 
 
 "The nice lady she said faster than I can tell you: 'Peter 
 Harding, I'm ashamed of you ! There's no question of that 
 kind! There's never going to be!' 
 
 "'Well don't get het up about it,' said Peter. 'I knew 
 all the time there wasn't, I just wanted to hear you say so 
 -plain and emphatic. So far as I'm concerned, my way is 
 clear as noonday sun,' said Peter. 'Then you go first 
 thing in the morning and adopt them, and adopt them 
 both, said Ma. 'Lily will make Mary just as good a sister 
 as she could ever have,' said she, and then she reached 
 over and put her arms right around me and she said, 'And 
 if you think I'm going to keep on trying to run this house 
 without Mickey, you're mistaken.' I began to cry, 'cause
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 479 
 
 I had had a big day, and I was shaking on my feet anyway. 
 Then Peter said, 'Have you figured it out to the end? Is 
 it to be 'til they are of age, or forever?' She just gripped 
 tighter and said fast as words can come, 'I say make it for- 
 ever, and share and share alike. I'm willing if you are/ 
 Peter, he said, 'I'm willing. They'll pay their way any 
 place. Forever, and share and share alike, is my idea. 
 Do you agree, Mickey?' 'Exactly what do you mean?' 
 I asked, and Peter told me it was making me and Lily both 
 his, just as far as the law could do it; we could go all the 
 farther we wanted to ourselves. He said it meant him get- 
 ting the same for me and Lily as he did for his own, and 
 leaving us the same when he died. I told him he needn't do 
 that, if he'd just keep off the old Orphings' Home devil, 
 that's had me scared stiff all my days, I'd tend to that, so 
 now me and Lily belong to Peter; he's our Pertectorate." 
 
 "Mickey, why didn't you tell me?" asked Douglas. 
 "Why didn't you want me to adopt you?" 
 
 "Well so far as 'adopting' is concerned," said Mickey, 
 "I ain't crazy about it, with anybody. But that's the law 
 you men have made; a boy must obey it, even if he'd 
 rather be skinned alive, and when he knows it ain't right or 
 fair. That's the law. I was up against it, and I didn't 
 know but I did have the snake, and Peter was on hand and 
 made that offer, and he was grand and big about it. I 
 don't love him any more than I do you; but I've just this 
 minute discovered that it ain't in my skin to love any man 
 more than I do Peter; so you'll have to get used to the fact 
 that I love him just as well, and say, Mr. Bruce, Peter is 
 the finest man you ever knew. If you'll come out and get
 
 4 8o MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 acquainted, you'll just be tickled to have him in the Golf 
 Club, and to come to his house, and to have him at yours. 
 His nice lady is exactly like Miss Winton, only older. Say, 
 she and Peter will adopt you too, if you say so, and between 
 us, just as man to man, Peter is a regular lifesaver! If you 
 got a chance you better catch on! No telling what you 
 might want of him!" 
 
 "Mickey, you do say the most poignant things!" cried 
 Douglas. "I'd give all I'm worth to catch on to Peter 
 right now, and cling for much more than life; but what I 
 started, I must finish, and Peter isn't here." 
 
 "Well what's the matter with me?" asked Mickey. 
 "Have you run into the yellow jackets too? 'Cause if you 
 have, I'm ahead of you, so I know what to do. Just catch 
 on to me!" 
 
 "Think you are big enough to serve as a straw for a 
 drowning man, Mickey?" inquired Douglas. 
 
 "Sure! I'm big enough to establish a Pertectorate over 
 you, this minute. The weight of my body hasn't any- 
 thing to do with the size of my heart, or how fast I can 
 work my brains and feet, if I must." 
 
 "Mickey," said Douglas despairingly, "it's my candid 
 opinion that no one can save me, right now." 
 
 Mickey opened his lips, and showed that his brain was 
 working by shutting them abruptly on something that 
 seemed very much as if it had started to be: "Sure!" 
 
 "Is that so?" he substituted. 
 
 "Yes, I'm in the sweat box," admitted Douglas. 
 
 "And it's uncomfortable and weakening. \\ hat's the 
 first thing we must do to get you out : "
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 48 r 
 
 "What I'm facing now is the prospect that there's no 
 way for me to get out, or for my friends to get me out," 
 admitted Douglas. "I wish I had Been plowing corn." 
 
 The boy's eyes were gleaming. He was stepping from 
 one foot to the other as if the floor burned him. 
 
 " Gosh, we must saw wood ! " he cried. " You go on and 
 tell me. I been up against a lot of things. Maybe I can 
 think up something. Honest, maybe I can!" 
 
 "No Mickey, there's nothing you or any one can do. 
 A miracle is required now, and miracles have ceased." 
 
 "Oh I don't know!" exclaimed Mickey. "Look how 
 they been happening to me and Lily right along. I can't 
 see why one mightn't be performed for you just as well. I 
 wish you wouldn't waste so much time! I wish you 
 hadn't spent an hour fooling with what I was telling you;. 
 that would keep. I wish you'd give me a job, and let me 
 get busy." 
 
 Douglas Bruce smiled forlornly. 
 
 "I'd gladly give you the job of saving me, my dear 
 friend," he said, "but the fact is I haven't a notion of how 
 to go to work to achieve salvation." 
 
 "Is somebody else getting ahead of you?" 
 
 "Not that I know of! No I don't think so. That isn't 
 the trouble," said Douglas. 
 
 "I do wish you'd just plain tell me," said Mickey. 
 "Now that I got the Pertectorate all safe over Lily, I'd do 
 anything for you. Maybe I could think up some scheme, 
 I'm an awful schemer! I wish you'd trust me! You 
 needn't think I'd blab ! Come on now!" 
 
 Suddenly Douglas Bruce's long arms stretched across
 
 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 the table before him, his head fell on them, and shuddering 
 sobs shook him. Mickey's dance steps became six inches 
 high, while in desperation he began polishing the table with 
 his cap. Then he reached a wiry hand and commenced 
 rubbing Douglas up and down the spine. The tears were 
 rolling down his cheeks, but his voice was even and clear. 
 
 "Aw come on now!" he begged. "Cut that out! That 
 won't help none! What shall I do ? Shall I call Mr. 
 Minturn? Shall I get Miss Leslie on the wire?" 
 
 Bruce arose and began walking the floor. 
 
 "Yes," he said. "Yes! * Bearer of Morning,' call her!" 
 
 Mickey ran to the telephone. In a minute, "Here she 
 is," he announced. "Shall I go?" 
 
 "No! Stay right where you are." 
 
 "Hello Leslie! Are you all right? I'm sorry to say I 
 am not. I'm up against a proposition I don't know how to 
 handle. Why just this: remember your father told me in 
 your presence that if in the course of my investigations I 
 reached his office, I was to wait until he got back? Yes. 
 I thought you'd remember. You know the order of the 
 court gave me access to the records, but the officials whose 
 books I have gone over haven't been pleased about it, al- 
 though reflection would have told them if it hadn't been I, 
 it would have been some other man. But the point is this: 
 I'm almost at the finish and I haven't found what ob- 
 viously exists somewhere. I'm now up to the last office, 
 which is your father's. The shortage either has to be 
 there, or in other departments outside those I was dele- 
 gated to search; so that further pursuit will be necessary. 
 Two or three times officials have suggested to me that I go
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 483 
 
 o\ er your father's records first, as an evidence that there 
 was no favouritism; now I have reached them, and this 
 proposition: if I go ahead in his, as I have in other offices, I 
 disobey his express order. If I do not, the gang will set up 
 a howl in to-morrow morning's paper, and they will start 
 an investigation of their own. Did you get anything 
 from him this morning Leslie ? Not for four days ? And 
 he's a week past the time he thought he would be back? I 
 see! Leslie, what shall I do? In my morning's mail there 
 is a letter from the men whose records I have been over, 
 giving me this ultimatum: 'begin on Winton's office im- 
 mediately, or we will.' 
 
 "Tell them to go ahead? But Leslie! Yes I know, but 
 
 Leslie Yes! You are ordering me to tell them that 
 
 I propose to conduct the search in his department as I did 
 theirs, and if they will not await his return from this busi- 
 ness trip, they are perfectly free to go ahead You are 
 
 sure that is the thing you want said? But Leslie Yes, 
 
 I know, but Leslie it is disobeying him, and it's barely pos- 
 sible there might be a traitor there; better men than he 
 have been betrayed by their employees. I admit I'm all 
 in. I wish you would come and bring your last letter from 
 him. We'll see if we can't locate him by wire. It's an ugly 
 situation. Of course I didn't think it would come to this. 
 
 Yes I wish you would! If you say so, I will, but All 
 
 right then. Come at once! Good-bye!" 
 
 Douglas turned to his desk, wrote a few hasty lines and 
 said to Mickey: " Deliver that to Muller at the City Hall." 
 
 Mickey took the envelope and went racing. In half the 
 time he would have used in going to the City Hall he was
 
 484 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 in the Herald Building, making straight for the office :>f 
 the editor. Mr. Chaffner was standing with a group of 
 men earnestly discussing some matter, when his eye was 
 attracted by Mickey, directly in range, and with the tip of 
 his index finger he was cutting in air letters plainly to be 
 followed: "S. O. S." Chaffner nodded slightly, and con- 
 tinued his talk. A second later he excused himself, and 
 Mickey followed to the private room. 
 
 "Well? "he shot at the boy. 
 
 "Our subm'rine has sunk our own cotton." 
 
 "Humph!" said Chaffner. "I've known for two weeks 
 it was heading your way. Just what happened?" 
 
 Mickey explained and produced the letter. Chaffner 
 reached for it. Mickey drew back. 
 
 "Why I wouldn't dare do just that," he said. "But I 
 know that's what's in it, because I heard what he said, and 
 by it you could tell what she said. I've told you every 
 word, and you said the other day you knew; please tell me 
 if I should deliver this letter?" 
 
 "If you want to give me a special with the biggest scoop 
 often years," said Chaffner, "and ruin Douglas Bruce and 
 disgrace the Wintons, take it right along." 
 
 "Aw gee!" wailed Mickey, growing ghastly. "Aw gee, 
 Mr. Chaffner! Why you cant do that! Not to them! 
 Why they're the nicest folks; and 'tain't two weeks ago I 
 heard Miss Leslie say to Mr. Bruce right in our office, 
 * losing money I could stand, disgrace would kill me.' You 
 can't kill her, Mr. Chaffner! Why she's the nicest, and 
 the prettiest She found me, and sent me to the boss, 
 like I told you. Honest she did! Why you can't! You
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 485 
 
 just cant ! Why Mr. Chaffner, I can see by your nice eyes 
 you can't! Aw gee, come on now!" 
 
 Mickey's chin hooked over the editor's elbow, his small 
 head was against his arm, his eyes were dripping tears, but 
 his voice controlled and steady was entreating. 
 
 The editor of a big city daily does not give up a scoop 
 like that without a struggle. Mr. Chaffner had his. The 
 boy clung to him and implored. 
 
 "You know there's a screw loose somewhere," explained 
 Mickey. "You know 'darling old Daddy' couldn't ever 
 have done it; and if somebody under him has gone wrong, 
 maybe he could make it up, if he was here and had an hour 
 or so. That day, Miss Leslie said he should give all he had 
 for his friend, and he could have ail of hers. If she'd be 
 willing for the money to go for her 'dear old Daddy's* 
 friend, course she'd be glad to use it for her Daddy, and 
 she's got a lot from her mother, and maybe Daddy has sold 
 the land he went to sell, and all of that ought to be enough; 
 and if it isn't, I know who will help them. Honest I do!" 
 
 "Who, Mickey?" demanded Mr. Chaffner, instantly. 
 
 "Mr. Minturn! Mr. James Minturn!" said Mickey. 
 "He's Mr. Bruce's best friend, and he told me he would do 
 anything for Miss Leslie, that day right after I saw you, for 
 if his home ever came right again, it would be 'cause she 
 made it; and she did make it, and it is right, and he's so 
 crazy happy he can't hardly keep on the floor. Course he'd 
 pay Miss Leslie back. He said he would. He's the nicest 
 man!" 
 
 "Isn't your world rather full of nice men, Mickey?" 
 
 Mickey renewed his grip. His eyes were pleading, the
 
 486 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 white light on his brow was shining, his voice was irresist- 
 ibly sweet: "You just bet my world is full of nice men, 
 packed like sardines; but they'll all scrooge up a little and 
 make room for you on the top layer among the selects! 
 Come on now! Rustle for your place before we revolve 
 and leave you. All your life you'll be sorry if you make 
 that scoop, and kill Miss Leslie, and shame 'darling old 
 Daddy,' and ruin my boss. Oh I say Mr. Chaffner, you 
 cant! You can't ever sleep nights again, if you do! 
 They haven't ever done anything to you. You'll be the 
 nicest man of all, if you'll tell me what to do. 'Twon't take 
 you but a second, 'cause you know. Oh tell me, for the 
 love of God tell me, Mr. Chaffner! You'll be the nicest man 
 I know, if you II tell me." 
 
 The editor looked down in Mickey's compelling eyes. 
 He laid his hand on the lad's brow and said: "That would 
 be worth the price of any scoop I ever pulled off, Mickey. 
 Are you going to be a lawyer or write that poetry forme?" 
 
 "If I'd ever even thought of law, this would cook me," 
 said Mickey. "Poetry it is, as soon as I earn enough to 
 pay for rinding out how to do it right." 
 
 "And when you find out, will you come on my staff, and 
 Work directly under me?" asked Mr. Chaffner. 
 
 "Sure!" promised Mickey. "I'd rather do it than any- 
 thing else in the world. I've got a life interest in the Her- 
 ald. It would suit me fine. That is, if you're coming in 
 
 among my nice men- 
 
 Mr. Chaffher held out his hand. "This is going to cost 
 me something in prestige and in cash," he said, "but 
 Mickey, you make it worth while. Here are your instruc-
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 487 
 
 tions: dont deliver that letter! Cut for Minturn and give 
 it to him. Tell him if he wants me, to call any time inside 
 an hour, and that he hasn't longer than noon to make good. 
 He'll understand. If you can't beat a taxi on foot, take 
 one. Have you money?" 
 
 "Yes," said Mickey, "but just suppose he isn't there 
 and I can't find him?" 
 
 "Then find his wife, and tell her to call me." 
 "All right! Thanks, boss! You're simply great!" 
 Mickey took the taxi and convinced the driver he was in 
 a hurry. He danced in the elevator, ran down the hall, 
 and into Mr. Minturn's door. There he stopped abruptly, 
 for he faced Miss Winton and Mrs. Minturn, whose paling 
 face told Mickey that he was stamped on her memory as 
 she was on his. He pulled off his cap, bowed to them and 
 spoke to Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Could I see you a minute?" he asked. 
 "Certainly! Step this way. Excuse us ladies." 
 Mickey showed the letter, told what had caused it to be 
 written, and that he had gone to Mr. ChafFner instead of 
 delivering it, and what instructions had been given him 
 there. Mr. Minturn picked up the telephone and called 
 Mr. ChafFner. When he got him he merely said: "This 
 is Minturn. What's the amount, and where does he bank 
 his funds ? Thank you very much indeed." 
 
 Then he looked at Mickey. "Till noon did you say?'* 
 "Yes," cried Mickey breathlessly, "and 'tisn't so long!" 
 "No," said Mr. Minturn, "it isn't. Ask Mrs. Minturn 
 if I may speak with her a moment." 
 
 "Shall I come back or stay there?" inquired Mickey.
 
 4 88 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Come back," said Mr. Minturn. "I may need you." 
 
 Mickey stood before Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Please will you speak with Mr. Minturn a minute?" 
 
 "Excuse me Leslie," said the lady, rising, and entering 
 the private room. There she turned to Mickey. "I 
 remember you very well," she said, with a steady voice. 
 "You needn't shrink from me. I've done all in my power 
 to atone. It will never be possible for me to think of 
 forgiving myself; but you'll forgive me, won't you?" 
 
 "Sure! Why lady, I'm awful sorry for you." 
 
 "I'm sorry for myself," said she. "What was it you 
 wanted, Mr. Minturn?" 
 
 "Suppose you tell Mrs. Minturn about both your visits 
 here," suggested Mr. Mintum to Mickey. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "You see it was like this lady. 
 This morning Mr. Bruce's head is down, and if he doesn't 
 get help before noon, he and Miss Leslie and all those nice 
 people are in trouble. I thought Mr. Minturn ought to 
 know, so I slipped in and told him." 
 
 "What is the trouble, lad?" asked Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 " Why you see Miss Leslie's 'darling old Daddy' is one 
 of the city officials, and of course Mr. Bruce left him 'til 
 last, because he would a-staked his life he'd find the man 
 he was hunting before he got to his office, and he didn't!" 
 
 "What, James?" said the lady, turning hurriedly. 
 
 "Tell her about it, Mickey," said Mr. Minturn calmly. 
 
 "Well there ain't much to tell," said Mickey. "My 
 boss he just kept stacking up figures; two or three times 
 he thought he had his man and then he'd strike a balance; 
 and the men whose records he searched kept getting mad-
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 489 
 
 der, and Mr. Winton went west to sell some land. Some- 
 way he's been gone a week longer than he expected; and 
 my boss is all through except him, and now the other men 
 say if he doesn't begin on Mr. Winton's books right away, 
 they will, and he told my boss not to 'til he got back. A while 
 ago I was in the Herald office talking to Mr. Chaffner, 
 whose papers I've sold since I started and I was telling 
 him what nice friends I had, and how Mr. Bruce and Miss 
 Leslie were engaged, and he like to ate me up. When I 
 couldn't see why, he told me about investigations he had 
 his men, like I'm going to be, make, and sometimes they 
 get a 'scoop' on the men appointed to do the job, and he 
 told me he had a 'scoop' on this, and if I saw trouble 
 coming toward my boss, I was to tell him and maybe he 
 didn't say sure, but maybe he'd do something." 
 
 "Oh James!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 
 
 "Wait dear! Go on Mickey," said Mr. Minturn. 
 
 "Well," said Mickey, "the elevated jumped the track 
 this morning when my boss got a letter saying if he didn't 
 go on at once with Mr. Winton's office, somebody else 
 would; and the people who have been in the air ever since 
 are due to land at noon, and it's pretty quick now, and 
 they are too nice for any use. Did you ever know finer 
 people?" 
 
 "No I never did," said Mrs. Minturn; "but James, I 
 don't understand. Tell me quickly and plainly." 
 
 "Chaffner just gave me the figures," he said, holding 
 over a slip of paper. "If that amount is to Mr. Winton's 
 credit on his account with the city, at the Universal Bank 
 before noon nothing at all. If it's not, disgrace for
 
 490 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 them, and I started it by putting Bruce on the case. I'll 
 raise as much as I can, but I can't secure enough by that 
 time without men knowing it. Mr. Winton has un- 
 doubtedly gone to try to secure what he needs; but he's 
 going to be too late. There never has been a worse time 
 to raise money in the history of this country." 
 
 "But if money is the trouble," said Mrs. Minturn, "you 
 said you never would touch what I put in your name for 
 yourself, why not use it for him? If that isn't enough, 
 I will gladly furnish the remainder. That I'm not a 
 stranded, forsaken woman is due to Leslie Winton; all 
 I have wouldn't be big enough price to pay for you, and 
 my boys, and my precious home. Be quick James!" 
 
 Mr. Minturn was calling the Universal Bank. 
 
 Mickey and Mrs. Minturn waited anxiously. They 
 involuntarily drew together, and the woman held the boy 
 in a close grip, while her face alternately paled and flushed, 
 and both of them were breathing short. 
 
 "I want the cashier!" Mr. Minturn was saying. 
 
 "Don't his voice just make you feel like you were on the 
 rock of ages ? " whispered Mickey. 
 
 Mrs. Minturn smiling nodded. 
 
 "Hello, Mr. Freeland. This is Minturn talking 
 James Minturn. You will remember some securities I 
 deposited with you not long ago? I wish to use a part of 
 them to pay a debt I owe Mr. Winton. Kindly credit 
 his account with oh, he's there in the bank? Well never 
 mind then. I didn't know he was back yet. Let it go! 
 I'll see him in person. And you might tell him that his 
 daughter is at my office. Yes, thank you. No you
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 491 
 
 needn't say anything about that to him; we'll arrange it 
 ourselves. Good-bye!" 
 
 "Now where am I at?" demanded Mickey. 
 
 "I don't think you know, Mickey," said Mr. Minturn, 
 "and I am sure I don't, but I have a strong suspicion that 
 Mr. Winton will be here in a few minutes, and if his mis- 
 sion has been successful, his face will tell it; and if he's in 
 trouble, that will show; and then we will know what to 
 do. Mr. Bruce would like to know he is here, and at the 
 bank I think." 
 
 "I'll go tell him right away," said Mickey. 
 
 Douglas was walking the floor as Mickey entered. 
 
 "You delivered the letter?" he cried. 
 
 Mickey shook his head, producing the envelope. 
 
 "You didn't!" shouted Bruce. "You didn't! Thank 
 God ! Oh, thank God you didn't ! " 
 
 "Aw-w-ah!" protested Mickey. 
 
 "Why didn't you?" demanded Douglas. 
 
 "Well you see," said Mickey, "me and Mr. Chaffner 
 of the Herald were talking a while ago about some poetry 
 I'm going to write for his first page, soon now I've always 
 sold his papers you know, so I sort of belong and I 
 happened to tell him I was working for you, and how fine 
 you were, and about your being engaged to Miss Leslie, 
 and he seemed to kind of think you was heading for trou- 
 ble; he just plain said so. I was so scared I begged him 
 not to let that happen. I told him how everything was, 
 and finally I got him to promise that if you did get into 
 trouble he'd help you, at least he almost promised. 
 You see he's been a newspaper man so long, he eats it,
 
 492 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 and sleeps it, and breathes it all day, and he had a 
 'scoop'- 
 
 "'He had a scoop?'" repeated Douglas. 
 
 "Yes! A great one! Biggest one in ten years!" said 
 the boy. "He loved it so, that me trying to pry him 
 loose from it was about like working to move the Iriquois 
 Building with a handspike. All he'd promise that first 
 trip was that if I'd come and tell him when I saw you'd 
 got into trouble, he'd see what he could do." 
 
 "Wanted to pump you for material for his scoop, I sup- 
 pose?" commented Douglas. 
 
 "Wope! Wope/! Back up!" warned Mickey. "He 
 didn't pump me a little bit, and he didn't try to. He told 
 me nearly three weeks ago just what would happen about 
 now, as he had things doped out, and they have. I didn't 
 think that letter should be delivered this morning, 'cause 
 you had no business in 'darlmg old^Daddy's' office if he 
 said 'stay out.'" In came Mickey's best flourish. "Why 
 he mightn't a-been ready!" he exclaimed. "He had his 
 friend to help you remember, I heard Miss Leslie tell you 
 he did. And she told him to. She told you he could 
 have what she had, you remember of course. He might 
 a-had to use some of his office money real quick, to save 
 a friend that he had to save if it took all he had and all 
 Miss Leslie had; and that was right. I asked you the 
 other day if a man might use the money he handled, and 
 you said yes, he was expected to, if he had his books 
 s-iraight and the money in the bank when his time for 
 accounting came. Tain't time to account yet; but you 
 was doing this investigating among his bunch, and so I
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 493 
 
 guess if he did use the money for his friend, he had to go 
 on that trip he was too busy to take Miss Leslie, and sell 
 something, or do something to get ready for you. That's 
 all right, ain't it ? " 
 
 "Yes, if he could do it," conceded Douglas. 
 
 "Well he can!" triumphed Mickey. "He can! *He 
 can just as easy, 'cause he's down at the Universal Bank 
 doing it right now!" 
 
 "What? "cried Douglas. 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "Back on time! At the bank 
 fixing things so you can investigate all you want to. 
 What's the matter with 'darling old Daddy?' He's all 
 right! Go on and write your letter over, and tell them 
 anxious, irritated gents, that you'll investigate 'til the 
 basement and cupola are finished, just as soon as you 
 make out the reports you are figuring up now. That will 
 give you time to act independent, and it will give Daddy 
 time to be ready for you 
 
 "Mickey, what if he didn't get the land sold?" wavered 
 Douglas. "What if his trip was a failure?" 
 
 "Well that's fixed," said Mickey, stepping from one 
 toe to the other. "Don't ruffle your down about that. 
 If 'darling old Daddy' has bad luck, and for staking his 
 money and his honour on his friend, he's going to get 
 picked clean and dished up himself, why it's fixed so he 
 isn't! See?" 
 
 " It's fixed\?" marvelled Douglas. 
 
 "Surest thing you know!" cried Mickey. "You've had 
 your Pertectorate all safe a long time, and didn't know it." 
 
 "Mickey, talk fast! Tell me! What do you mean?"
 
 494 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Why that was fixed three weeks ago, I tell you," ex- 
 plained Mickey. "When Mr. Chaffner said you would 
 strike trouble, I wasn't surprised any, 'cause I've thought 
 all the time you would; and when you did, I went skinning 
 to him, and he told me not to deliver that letter; and he 
 was grand, just something grand! He told me what had 
 to happen to save you, so I kept the letter, and scuttled 
 for Mr. James Minturn, who started all this, and I just 
 said to him, 'Chickens, home to roost,' or words like that; 
 and he got on the wire with Chaffner, and 'stead of giving 
 that 'scoop' to all Multiopolis and the whole world, he 
 give Mr. Minturn a few figures on a scrap of paper that he 
 showed to his nice lady gosh you wouldn't ever believe 
 she was a nice lady or could be, but honest, Mr. Bruce, me 
 and her has been holding hands for half an hour while we 
 planned to help you out, and say, she's so nice, she's just 
 peachy and she's the same woman. I don't know how 
 that happens, but she's the same woman who fired me and 
 the nice lady from Plymouth, and now she ain't the same, 
 and these are the words she said: 'All I have on earth 
 would not be enough to pay Leslie Winton for giving you 
 back to me, and my boys, and my precious home.' 'Pre- 
 cious home ! ' Do you get that ? After her marble palace, 
 where she is now must look like a cottage on the green to 
 her, but 'precious home' is what she said, and she ought 
 to know 
 
 "Mickey go on! You were saying that Mr. Chaffner 
 gave Mr. Minturn some figures " prompted Douglas. 
 
 "Yes," said Mickey. "His precious 'scoop,' so Mr. 
 Minturn showed her, and she said just as quick to put
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 495 
 
 that amount to Mr. Winton's credit at the Universal 
 Bank, so he called the bank to tell them; when he got 
 the cashier he found that 'darling old Daddy' was there 
 that minute " 
 
 "'Was there?'" cried Douglas. 
 
 "'Was there,'" repeated Mickey; "so Mr. Minturn 
 backed water, and tlien he told the cashier he needn't men- 
 tion to Mr. Winton that he was going to turn over some 
 securities he had there to pay a debt he owed him, 'cause 
 now that he was home, they could fix it up between them- 
 selves. But he told the cashier to tell Mr. Winton that 
 Miss Leslie was in his office. He said ' Daddy* would come 
 to her the minute he could, and then if he was happy and 
 all right, it meant that he had. sold his land and made 
 good; and if he was broke up, we would know what to do 
 about putting the money to his credit. The nice lady said 
 to put a lot more than he needed, so if they did investigate 
 they could see he was all right, and he had plenty. See? 
 
 Mr. Minturn said we could tell the minute we saw 
 i 
 
 "Well young man, can you?" inquired a voice behind 
 them. 
 
 With the same impulse Douglas and Mickey turned to 
 find Mr. Winton and Leslie standing far enough inside the 
 door to have heard all that had been said. A slow red 
 crept over Mickey's fair face. Douglas sprang to his feet, 
 his hand outstretched, words of welcome on his lips. Mr. 
 Winton put him aside with a gesture. 
 
 "I asked this youngster a question," he said, "and I'm 
 deeply interested in the answer. Can you ? "
 
 496 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Mickey stepped forward, taking one long, straight look 
 into the face of the man hefore him; then his exultant laugh 
 trilled as the notes of Peter's old bobolink bird on the 
 meadow fence. 
 
 "Surest thing you know!" he cried in ringing joy. 
 "You're tired, you need washing, sleep, and a long rest, but 
 there isn't any glisteny, green look on your face. It's been 
 with you, like I told Mr. Chaffner it's in the Bible; only 
 with you, it's been even more than a man 'laying down his 
 life for his friend,' it was a near squeak, but you made it! 
 Gee, you made it! I should say I could tell!" 
 
 Mr. Winton caught Mickey, lifting him from his feet. 
 "God made a jewel after my heart when he made you lad," 
 he said. "If you haven't got a father, I'm an insistent 
 candidate for the place." 
 
 "Gee, you're the nicest man!" said Mickey. "If I was 
 out with a telescope searching for a father, I'd make a 
 home run for you; but you see I'm fairly well fixed. Here's 
 my boss, too fine to talk about, that I work for to earn 
 money to keep me and my family; there's Peter, better 
 than gold, who's annexed both me and my child; there's 
 Mr. Chaffner punching me up every time I see him about 
 my job for him, soon as I finish school; I'd like you for a 
 father, only I'm crazy about Peter. Just you come and 
 see Peter, and you'll understand- 
 
 "I'll be there soon," said Mr. Winton. "I have reasons 
 for wanting to know him thoroughly. And by the way, 
 how do you do, Douglas ? How is the great investigation 
 coming on? 'Fine!' I'm glad to hear it. Push it with 
 all your might, and finish up so we can have a month on
 
 ESTABLISHING PROTECTORATES 497 
 
 Atwater without coming back and forth. I feel as if I'd 
 need about that much swimming to make me clean, as the 
 young man here suggests; travelling over the west in mid- 
 summer is neither cool nor cleanly; but it's great, when 
 things sell as ours did. Land seems to be moving, and 
 there's money under the surface; nobody has lost so much, 
 they are only economizing; we must do that ourselves, but 
 Swain and I are both safe, so we shall enjoy a few years of 
 work to recoup some pretty heavy losses; we're not worth 
 what we were, but we are even, with a home base, the love 
 of God big in our hearts, and doubly all right, since if we 
 couldn't have righted ourselves, our friends would have 
 saved us, thanks to this little live wire on my left!" 
 
 "Oh Daddy, if you'd searched forever, you couldn't 
 have found a better name for Mickey!" cried Leslie. 
 ''Come on Douglas let's go home and rest." 
 
 "Just as soon as I write and start Mickey with a note," 
 said Douglas. "Go ahead, I'll be down soon." 
 
 He turned to his desk, wrote a few lines, and sealing 
 them, handed the envelope to the waiting boy. 
 
 "City Hall," he said. "And Mickey, I see the whole 
 
 thing. It will take some time to figure just what I do owe 
 
 
 you 
 
 "Aw-a-ah g'wan!" broke in Mickey, backing away. 
 
 "Mickey, we ? ll drive you to take the note, and then you 
 come with us," said Douglas. 
 
 "Thanks, but it would try my nerve," said Mickey, 
 "and I must help Peter move in the pump!"
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 
 
 r" ^HAT night Mickey's voice, shrill in exuberant re- 
 joicing, preceded him down the highway, so the 
 
 JL Hardings, all busy working out their new plans 
 for comfort, understood that something unusually joyous 
 had happened. Peaches sat straighter in her big pillow- 
 piled chair, leaned forward, and smilingly waited. 
 
 "Ain't he happy soundin'?" she said to Mrs. Harding, 
 who sat near her sewing. "I guess he has thought out the 
 best po'try piece yet. Mebby this time it will be good 
 enough for the first page of the Herald." 
 
 "Young as he is, that's not likely," said the literal 
 woman. "There's no manner of doubt in my mind but 
 that he can do great newspaper work when he finishes his 
 education and makes his start; but I think Mr. Bruce will 
 use all his influence to turn him toward law." 
 
 "Mr. Douglas Bruce is a swell gentl'man," said Peaches, 
 "and me and Mickey just loves him for his niceness to us; 
 but we got that all settled. Mickey is going to write the 
 po'try piece for the first page of the Herald Chat's our 
 paper and then we are going to make all my pieces into 
 a bu'ful book, like I got it started here." 
 
 Peaches picked up a small notebook, scrupulously kept, 
 and lovingly glanced over the pages, on each of which she 
 
 498
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 499 
 
 had induced Mickey to write in his plainest script one 
 section of her nightly doggerel; and if he failed from the in- 
 tense affairs of the day, she left a blank page for him to fill 
 later. Taken together, the remainder of her possessions 
 were as nothing to Peaches compared with that book. Not 
 an hour of the day passed that it was not in her fingers, 
 every line of it she knew by heart, and she learned more 
 from it than all Mickey's other educational efforts. Peter 
 scraped a piece of fine black walnut furniture free from the 
 accumulated varnish of years, and ran an approving hand 
 over the smooth dark surface, seasoned with long use. He 
 smiled at her. She smiled back, falling into a little chant 
 that had been on her lips much of the time of late: ''You 
 know, Peter! You know, Peter! We know somepin' we 
 won't tell!" 
 
 Peter nodded, beaming on her. 
 
 "Just listen to that boy, Peter, he must be perfectly 
 possessed!" said Nancy. 
 
 "He didn't ever sound so glad before!" cried the child 
 eagerly. 
 
 Mickey came up the walk radiant. He divided a smile 
 between Mrs. Harding and Peter, and bowed low before 
 Peaches as he laid a package at her feet. Then he struck 
 an attitude of exaggerated obeisance and recited: 
 
 " Days like this I'm tickled silly, 
 When I see my August Lily. 
 No other fellow, dude or gawk, 
 Owns a flower that can laugh and talk." 
 
 Peaches immediately laughed; so did all of them.
 
 Soo MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 " Peter," asked Mickey, "were you ever so glad that you 
 thought you would bust wide open?" 
 
 "I was," said Peter; "I am this minute." 
 "Would you mind specifying circumstances?" 
 "Not a bit," said Peter. " First time was when Ma said 
 she'd marry me, and I got my betrothal kiss; seco*d, was 
 the day she said she'd forgive my years of selfish dunder- 
 headedness, and start over. Now you, Mickey, what's 
 yours?" 
 
 "The great investigation is over, so far as our commis- 
 sion goes," answered Mickey. "Multiopolis isn't robbed 
 where she was sure she was. Her accounts balance in the 
 departments we've gone over. Nobody gets the slick face, 
 the glass eye, the lawn mower on his cocoanut, or dons the 
 candy suit from our work; but some folks I love had a near 
 squeak, and I got a month vacation! Think of that, Miss 
 Lily Peaches CKHalloran! Gee, let's get things fixed up 
 here and have a party, to show the neighbouring gentlemen 
 what's coming to them, before the weather gets so cold 
 they won't have time to finish their jobs this fall. Some of 
 them will squirm, but we don't care. Some of them will 
 think they won't do it, but they vnLL Kiss me, Lily! Hug 
 me tight, and let me go dig on the furnace foundation 'til I 
 sweat this out of me." 
 
 When the children were sleeping that night he sat on the 
 veranda and told Mrs. Harding and Peter exactly what he 
 thought wise to repeat of the day's experience and no more; 
 so that when he finished, all they knew was that the in- 
 vestigation was over, so far as Mr. Bruce was concerned, 
 Mickey had a vacation, and was a happy boy.
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 501 
 
 As she came to dinner the next day, Mary laid a bundle 
 of mail beside her father's plate. When he saw it, Peter, as 
 was his custom, reached for the Herald to read the war 
 headlines. He opened the paper, gave it a shake, stared at 
 it in amazement, scanned a few lines and muttered : "Well 
 for the Lord's sake!" 
 
 Then he glanced over the sheets at Mickey and back 
 again. The family arose and hurried to a point of vantage 
 at Peter's shoulder, while he spread the paper wide and 
 held it high so that all of them could see. Enclosed in a 
 small ruled space they read: 
 
 Sacred to the memory of the biggest scoop, 
 That ever fell in Mister Chaffner's soup, 
 And was pitched by this nicest editor-man, 
 Where it belonged, in the garbage can, 
 To please his friend, Michael O'Halloran. 
 Whoop fellers, whoop, for the drownded scoop, 
 That departed this life in our Editor's soup! 
 All together boys, Scoop ! Soup ! Whoop ! 
 
 They rushed at Mickey, shook hands, thumped, patted 
 and praised him, when a wail arose to the point of reaching 
 his consciousness. 
 
 "Mickey, what?" cried Peaches. 
 
 "Let me take it just a minute, Peter," said Mickey. 
 
 "Wait a second," suggested Mrs. Harding, picking up 
 a big roll that they had knocked to the floor. "This 
 doesn't look like catalogues, and it's addressed to you. 
 Likely they've sent you some of your own." 
 
 "Now maybe Mr. Chaffher did," said Mickey, almost
 
 5 02 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 at the bursting point. "Course he is awful busy, the 
 busiest man in the world, I expect, but he might have sent 
 me a copy of my poetry, since he used it." 
 
 With shaking fingers he opened the roll, and there were 
 several copies of the Herald similar to the one Peter held, 
 and on the top of one was scrawled in pencil: "Your 
 place, your desk, and your salary are ready whenever you 
 want to begin work. You can't come too soon to suit me. 
 CHAFFNER." 
 
 Mickey read it aloud. 
 
 "Gee!" he said. "I 'most wish I had education enough 
 to begin right now. I'd like it! I could just go crazy 
 about that job! Yes honey! Yes, I'm coming!" 
 
 He caught up another paper, and hurried across the 
 room, quietly but decidedly closing the door behind him, 
 so when Mary started to follow, Junior interposed. 
 
 "Better not, Molly," he said. "Mickey wants to be 
 alone with his family for a few minutes. Say father, 
 ain't there a good many newspaper men worked all their 
 lives, and got no such show as that?" 
 
 "I haven't a doubt of it," said Peter. 
 
 "Mickey must have written that, and sent it in before he 
 came home yesterday," said Mrs. Harding. "A call it 
 pretty bright! I bet if the truth was told, something went 
 wrong, and he was at the bottom of shutting it up. Don't 
 you call that pretty bright, Pa?" 
 
 "I guess I'm no fair judge," said Peter. "I'm that 
 prejudiced in his favour that when he said, 'See the cat 
 negotiate the rat ' out in the barn, I thought it was smart." 
 
 "Yes, and it was," commented Junior. "It's been
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 503 
 
 funny for everybody to 'negotiate' all sorts of things ever 
 since that north pole business, so it was funny for the cat 
 too. Father, do you think that note really means that 
 Mr. Chaffner would give Mickey a place on his paper, and 
 pay him right now?" 
 
 "I don't know why Chaffner would write it out and 
 sign his name to it if he didn't mean it," said Peter. 
 
 "You know he is full of stuff like that," said Junior. 
 "He could do some every day about people other than 
 Peaches if he wanted to. Father, ain't you glad he's in 
 our family? Are you going to tell him to take that job 
 if he asks you?" 
 
 "No I ain't," said Peter. "He's too young, and not 
 the book learning to do himself justice, while that place 
 is too grown up and exciting for a boy of his nerve force. 
 Don't you think, Nancy?" 
 
 "Yes, I do, but you needn't worry," said Mrs. Harding. 
 "Mickey knows that himself. Didn't you hear him say 
 soon as he read it, that he hadn't the education yet? He's 
 taken care of himself too long to spoil his life now, and 
 he will see it; but I marvel at Chaffner. He ought to 
 have known better. And among us, I wonder at Mickey. 
 Where did he get it from ? " 
 
 "Easy!" said Peter. "From a God-fearing, intelligent 
 mother, and an irresponsible Irish father, from inborn, 
 ingrained sense of right, and a hand-to-hand scuffle with 
 life in Multiopolis gutters. Mickey is all right, and thank 
 God, he's ours ! If he does show signs of wanting to go 
 to the Herald office, discourage him all you can, Ma; it 
 wouldn't be good for him yet."
 
 50 4 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "No it wouldn't; but it would be because he needs 
 solid study and school routine to settle him, and make 
 him great instead of a clown, as that would at his age. 
 But if you think there is anything in the Herald office that 
 could hurt Mickey, you got another think coming. It 
 wouldn't hurt Mickey; but it would be mighty good for 
 the rest of them. The Herald has more honour and con- 
 science than most; some of the papers are just disgraceful 
 in what they publish, and then take back next day; while 
 folks are forced to endure it. Sit up and eat your dinners 
 now. I want to get on with my work." 
 
 "Mickey, what happened?" begged Peaches as Mickey 
 came in sight, carrying the papers. 
 
 He was trembling and tensely excited as her sharp 
 eyes could see. They rested probingly a second on him, 
 then on the paper. Her lips tightened while her eyes 
 darkened. She stretched out her hand. 
 
 "Mickey, let me see!" she commanded. 
 
 Mickey knelt beside her, spreading out the sheet. 
 Then he took her hand, setting a finger on the first letter 
 of his name and slowly moved along as she repeated the 
 letters she knew best of all, then softly pronounced the 
 name. She knew the Herald too. She sat so straight 
 Mickey was afraid she would sprain her back, lifting 
 her head "like a queen," if a queen lifts her head just as 
 high as her neck can possibly stretch, and smiled a cold 
 little smile of supreme self-satisfaction. 
 
 "Now Mickey, go on and read what you wrote about 
 me," her Highness commanded. 
 
 The collapse of Mickey was sudden and complete. He
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 505 
 
 stared at Peaches, at the paper, opened his lips, thought 
 a lie and discarded it, shut his lips to pen the lie in for 
 sure, and humbly and contritely waited, a silent candidate 
 for mercy. Peaches had none. To her this was the 
 logical outcome of what she had been led to expect. There 
 was the paper. The paper was the Herald. There was 
 the front page. There was Mickey's name. She had no 
 conception of Mickey writing a line which did not concern 
 her; also he had expressly stated that all of them and the 
 whole book were to be about her. She indicated the 
 paper and his name, while the condescension of her wait- 
 ing began to be touched with impatience. 
 
 "Mickey, why don't you go on and read what it says 
 about me?" she demanded. 
 
 Mickey saw plainly what must be done. He gazed 
 at her and suddenly, for the first time, a wave of some- 
 thing new and undefined rushed through him. This 
 exquisitely delicate and beautiful little Highness, sitting 
 so proudly straight, and so uncompromisingly demand- 
 ing that he redeem his promises, made a double appeal 
 to Mickey. Her Highness scared him until he was cold 
 inside. He was afraid, and he knew it. He wanted to 
 run, and he knew it; yet no band of steel could have held 
 him as this bit of white femininity, beginning to glow a 
 soft pink from slowly enriching blood, now held and for- 
 ever would hold him, and best of all he knew that. It 
 was in his heart to be a gentleman; there was nothing 
 left save to be one now. He took both Peaches' hands, 
 and began preparing her gently as was in his power for 
 what had to come.
 
 S'o6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Yes, Flowersy-girl," he said, "I'll read it to you, but 
 you won't understand 'til I tell you " 
 
 "I always understand," she said sweepingly. 
 
 "You know how wild like I came home last night," ex- 
 plained Mickey. "Well, I had reason. Some folks who 
 have been good to us, and that I love like we love Peter 
 and Ma, had been in awful danger of something that 
 would make them sore all their lives, and maybe I had 
 some little part in putting it over, so it never touched 
 them; anyway, they thought so, and I was tickled past 
 all sense and reason about it. It was up to the editor of 
 the Herald to decide; and what he did, was what I begged 
 him to. Course left to himself, he would a-done it any- 
 way, after he had time to think " 
 
 "Mickey, read my po'try piece about me, an' then 
 talk," urged Peaches. 
 
 "Honey, you make me so sick I can't tell you." 
 
 "Mickey, what's the matter?" 
 
 Peaches' penetrating eyes were slowly changing to 
 accusing. She drew a deep breath, giving him his first 
 cold, unrelenting look. 
 
 "Mister Michael O'Halloran," she said in incisive tones, 
 "did you write a po'try piece for the first page of the 
 Herald, not about me?" 
 
 "Well Miss Chicken," he cried, "I wish you wouldn't 
 talk so much! I wish you'd let me tell you." 
 
 "I guess you ain't got anything to tell," said Peaches, 
 folding her arms and tilting her chin so high Mickey feared 
 she might topple backward. 
 
 "I guess I have!" shouted Mickey. "7 didn't put that
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 507 
 
 there! I didn't mean it to be there! If I'd a-put it there, 
 and meant it there, and knowed it would be there, it would 
 a-been about you, of course! Answer me this, Miss. Any 
 single time did I ever not do anything that I said I would?" 
 
 "Nothing but this," admitted Peaches. 
 
 "There you go again!" said Mickey. "I tell you I 
 'didn't do this, and when I tell you, I tell true, Miss, get that 
 in your system. If you'd let me explain how it was, you'd 
 see that I didn't have a single thing to do with it." 
 
 Peaches accomplished a shrug that was wonderful, and 
 gazed at the ceiling, her lips closed. Mickey watched her 
 a second, then he began softly: " Flowersy-girl, I don't see 
 what you mean! I don't know why you act like this! I 
 don't know what's to have a tantrum for, when I didn't 
 mean it to be there, and didn't know it would be there. 
 Honest, I don't!" 
 
 "Go on an' read it!" she commanded. 
 
 Mickey obeyed. As he finished she faced him in won- 
 der. 
 
 "Why they ain't a damn bit of sense to it!" she cried. 
 
 "Course there ain't!" agreed Mickey. "Course there 
 would be no sense to anything that wasn't about you /" 
 
 "Then what did you put it there in my place for?" 
 
 "I didn't! I'm trying to tell you!" persisted Mickey. 
 
 Peaches shed one degree of royal hauteur. "Well why 
 don't you go on an' tell, then ? " 
 
 " Aw-w-ah ! Well if you don't maneuver to beat a mono- 
 plane! I've tried to tell you, and you won't let me. If you 
 stop me again, I'm going to march out of this room and 
 stay 'til you bawl your eyes red for me."
 
 508 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "If you go, I'll call Junior!" said Peaches instantly. 
 
 "Well go on and call him!" 
 
 He turned, his heart throbbing, his eyes burning with re- 
 pressed tears, the big gulp in his throat audible to Peaches, 
 as her little wail was to him. He whirled and dropping on 
 his knees took her in his arms. She threw hers around his 
 neck, buried her face against his cheek, and they cried it 
 out together. At last she produced a bit of linen, and 
 mopped Mickey's eyes and face, then her own. While still 
 clinging to him she whispered: "Mickey, I : m jus' about 
 dead to have it be the Herald, an' the front page, an' you, 
 an' not about me /" 
 
 " Flowersy-girl, I'm just as sorry as you are," said 
 Mickey. "It was this way: I was just crazy over things 
 our editor-man did, that saved our dear boss and the lovely 
 Moonshine Lady who gave you your Precious Child and 
 her Marling old Daddy' from such awful trouble it would 
 just a-killed them; honest it would Lily! When our edi- 
 tor-man was so great and nice, and did what he didn't want 
 to at all, I went sort of wild like, and when I was off for the 
 day and got on the streets, everything pulled me his way. 
 I was anxious just to see him again, and if I'd done what I 
 wanted to, I'd a-gone in the Herald office and knelt down, 
 and said: 'Thank you, oh thank you!' and kissed his feet, 
 but of course I knew men didn't do like that, and it would 
 have shamed him, but I had to do something or bust, and I 
 went running for the office like flying, and my mind got 
 whirling around, and that stuff began to come. 
 
 "I slipped in and back to his desk, like I may if I want 
 to, and there he sat. He had a big white sheet just like
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 509 
 
 this before it is printed, spread out, and a pencil in his 
 fingers, and about a dozen of his best men were crowding 
 'round with what they had for the paper to-day. I've 
 told you how they do it, often, and when I edged up some 
 of the men saw me. They knew I had a pass to him, so 
 they stepped back just as he said: 'Well boys, who's got 
 some big stuff to fill the space of our departed scoop?' 
 That 'departed' word means lost, gone, and it's what they 
 say about people when they they go for good. Then he 
 looked up to see who would speak first, and noticed me. 
 'Oh there is the little villain who scooped our scoop, right 
 now,' he said. 'Let's make him fill the space he's cut us 
 out of.' I thought it was a joke, but I wasn't going to 
 have all that bunch of the swellest smarties who work for 
 him put it clear over me; I've kidded back with my paper 
 men too long for that; so I stepped back and shot it at him, 
 that what's printed there, and when I got to the end and 
 invited the fellows to 'Whoop,' Lily, you could a-heard 
 them a mile. I saw they was starting for me, so I just 
 slung in a 'Thank you something awful, boss,' and ducked 
 through and between, and cut for life; 'cause if they'd a-got 
 me, I might a-been there yet. They are the nicest men on 
 earth, but they get a little keyed up sometimes, and a kid 
 like me couldn't keep even. Now that's all there is to it, 
 Lily, honest, cross my heart! I didn't know they would 
 put it there. I didn't know they thought it was good 
 enough. I wouldn't a-let them for the life of them, if I'd 
 known they was going to." 
 
 "You jus' said it once, Mickey?" inquired Peaches. 
 
 "Jus' once, Flowersy-girl, fast as I could rattle."
 
 510 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 " It's twice as long as mine ever are," she said. " I don't 
 see how they 'membered." 
 
 "Oh that!" cried Mickey. "Why honey, that's easy! 
 Those fellows jump on to a thing like chained lightning, 
 and they got a way of writing that is just a lot of little 
 twists and curls, but one means a whole sentence they 
 call it 'shorthand ' and doing that way, they can set down 
 talk as fast as anybody can speak, and there were a dozen 
 of them there with pencils and paper in their fingers. That 
 wasn't anything for them!" 
 
 "Mickey, are you going to learn to write that way?" 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "Before I go to the Herald to 
 take my desk, and my "signment,' I've got to know, and 
 you ought to know too; 'cause I always have to bring 
 what I write to you first, to see if you like it." 
 
 "Yes, if the mean old things don't go an' steal my place 
 again, when you don't know it," protested Peaches. 
 
 "Well, don't you fret about that," said Mickey. "They 
 got away with me this time, but they won't ever again, 
 'cause I'll be on to their tricks. See? Now say you for- 
 give me, and eat your dinner, 'cause it will be spoiled, and 
 you must have a good rest, for there's going to be some- 
 thing lovely afterward. You ain't mad at me any more, 
 Lily?" 
 
 "No, I ain't mad at you, but I'm just so " 
 
 "Wope! wope!" cautioned Mickey. 
 
 Peaches pulled away indignantly. 
 
 " so so so estremely mad at those paper men! 
 Mickey, I don't think I'll ever let you be a Herald man 
 at all if they're going to leave me out like that!"
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE S n 
 
 "What do you care about an old paper sold on the 
 streets, and ground up for buckets, and used to start fires, 
 anyway?" scoffed Mickey. "Why don't you sit up on 
 the shelf in a nice pretty silk dress and be a book lady? I 
 wouldn't be in the papers at all, if I were you." 
 
 "No, an' I won't, either!" cried Peaches instantly. 
 "Take the old paper an' put what you please in it. I shall 
 have all about me in the nice silky covered book on the 
 shelf; so there, you needn't try to make me do anything 
 else, 'cause I shan't ever!" 
 
 "Course you shan't!" agreed Mickey. 
 
 He went back to the dinner table to find the family 
 finished and gone. He carried what had been left for him 
 to the back porch, and eating hastily began helping to get 
 things in place. As always he went to Mrs. Harding for 
 orders. She was a little woman, so very like his mother in 
 size, colouring, speech, and manner, that Mickey could al- 
 most forget she was not truly his, when every hour she 
 made him feel her motherly kindness; so from early habit 
 it was natural with him to seek her first, and do what he 
 could to assist her before he attempted anything else. All 
 the help Peter had from him came when he found no more 
 to do for Mrs. Harding. As he washed the dishes while she 
 sat sewing for the renovation of the house, he said to her: 
 "When you dress Lily for this afternoon I wish you'd make 
 her just as pretty as you can, and put her very nicest dress 
 on her." 
 
 "Why Mickey, is some one coming?" she asked. 
 
 "I don't know," said Mickey, "but I have a hunch that 
 my boss, and Miss Leslie, and her father may be out this
 
 512 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 afternoon. They have been talking about it a long time, 
 but I kept making every excuse I could think up to keep 
 them away." 
 
 "Why, Mickey?" asked Mrs. Harding, looking at him 
 intently. She paused in her sewing, running the needle 
 slowly across the curtain material. 
 
 "Well, for a lot of reasons," said Mickey. "A fellow 
 of my size doesn't often tackle a family, and when he does, 
 if he's going to be square about it, he has got to do a lot of 
 thinking. One thing was that it's hard for me to get Lily 
 out of my head like I first saw her. I guess I couldn't tell 
 you so you'd get a fair idea of how dark, dirty, alone, and 
 little, and miserable she was. Just with all my heart I was 
 ashamed of her folks, and sick sorry for her; but I can't 
 bear for anybody else to be! I didn't want any of them to 
 see her 'til she was fed, and fatted up a lot, and trained 'til 
 how nice she really is shows plain. It just hurt me to 
 think of it." 
 
 "Um-m-uh!" agreed Mrs. Harding, differing emotions 
 showing on her face. "I see, Mickey." 
 
 "Then," continued Mickey, "I'm sticking sore and 
 mean on one point. I did find her! She is mine! I am 
 going to keep her! Nobody in all this world takes her, nor 
 God in Heaven!" 
 
 "Mickey, be careful what you say," she cautioned. 
 
 "I don't mean anything wicked," explained Mickey. 
 "I'm just telling you that nobody on earth can have her, 
 and I'd fight 'til I'd die with her, before even Heaven gets 
 her. I don't mean anything ugly about it. I'm just 
 telling you friendly like, how I feel about her."
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 513 
 
 "I see Mickey," said Mrs. Harding. "Go on!" 
 
 "Well, lots of reasons," said Mickey. "She wasn't 
 used to folks, so they scared her. She was crazy with fear 
 about the Orphings' Home getting her, while I wasn't any 
 too sure myself. I flagged one Swell Dame, and like to 
 got caught in a trap and lost her. Then my Sunshine 
 Nurse helped me all I needed; so not knowing how much 
 women were alike, I didn't care to go rushing in a lot on 
 Lily just to find out. She was a little too precious to ex- 
 periment with. 
 
 "That Home business has been a big, grinning, 'Get- 
 you-any-minute devil,' peeping 'round the corner at me 
 ever since mother went. I could dodge him for myself, 
 but I couldn't take any risks for Lily. These Orphings' 
 Homes ain't no place for children. 'Stead of the law build- 
 ing them, and penning the little souls starving for home 
 and love in them, what it should do is to make people who 
 pay the money to run them, take the children in their own 
 homes and love and raise them personal. If every family 
 in the world that has no children would take two, and them 
 that has would take just one, all the Orphings' Homes 
 would make good hospitals and schools; while the orphings 
 would be fixed like Lily and I are. Course I know all folks 
 ain't the same as you and Peter; but in the long run, chil- 
 dren are safer in homes than they are in squads. 'Most any 
 kind of a home beats no home at all. You can stake your 
 liberty-birds on that." 
 
 "You surely can," agreed Mrs. Harding. 
 
 "You just bet," persisted Mickey. "When I didn't 
 know what they would do, I didn't want them pestering
 
 514 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 'round, maybe to ruin everything; and when I did, I didn't 
 want them any more, 'cause then I saw their idea would be 
 to take her themselves, and in one day they would a-made 
 all I could do look like thirty cents. She was mine, and 
 what she had with me was so much better than what she 
 would a-had without me, or if the law got her, that I 
 thought she was doing well enough. I see now she could 
 a-had more; but I thought then it was all right!" 
 
 "Now Mickey, don't begin that," said Mrs. Harding. 
 "What you did was to find her, and without a doubt, save 
 her life; at least if you didn't, you landed her in a fairly 
 decent home where all of us will help you do what you 
 think best for her; and there's small question but we can 
 beat any Orphans' Home yet in existence. And as for 
 the condition in which I found her, it was growing warm 
 in that room, but I'll face any court in the universe and 
 swear I never saw a cleaner child, or one in better condi- 
 tion for what you had to begin on. The Almighty Him- 
 self couldn't have covered those awful bones with flesh 
 and muscle, and smoothed the bed sores and scars from 
 that little body; and gone much faster training her right, 
 unless He was going back to miracles again. As far as 
 miracles are concerned, I think from what you tell me, 
 and what the child's condition proves, that you have 
 performed the miracle yourself. To the day of my death 
 I'll honour, respect, and love you, Mickey, for the way 
 in which you've done it. I've yet to see a woman who 
 could have done better, so I want you to know it." 
 
 "I don't know the right words to say to you and Peter." 
 "Never mind that," said Mrs. Harding. "We owe you
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 515 
 
 quite as much, and something we are equally as thankful 
 for. It's an even break with us, Mickey, and no talk of 
 obligations on either side. We prize Junior as he is just 
 now, fully as much as you do anything you've gained." 
 
 Mickey polished the plates and studied Mrs. Harding. 
 Then he spoke again: "There's one more obligation I'm 
 just itching to owe you." 
 
 "Tell me about it, Mickey," she said. 
 
 "Well right in line with what we been talking of," said 
 Mickey. "Just suppose a big car comes chuffing up here 
 this afternoon, like I have a hunch it will, and all those 
 nice folks so polite and beautifully dressed come to see us, 
 I know you are busy, but I'll work afterward to pay back, 
 if you and Peter will dust up a little course I know the 
 upset fix we are in; but just glorify a trifle, and lay off and 
 keep right on the job without a second of letting up, 'til they 
 are gone. See?" 
 
 "You mean you don't want to be left alone with them?" 
 
 "You get me!" cried Mickey. "You get me clearly. 
 I don't want to be left alone with them, for them to put 
 ideas in Lily's head about a nicer car than ours, and a 
 bigger house, and finer dolls and dresses, and going to the 
 city to stay with them on visits; or me going to live with 
 Mr. Winton, to be the son he should have found for him- 
 self long ago. I guess I have Lily sized up about as close 
 as the next one; and she has got all that is good for her, 
 right now. She'd make the worst spoiled kid you ever 
 saw if she had half a chance. What she needs to make 
 a grand woman of her, like you and mother, is clean air, 
 quiet, good food like she's got here, with bone as well as
 
 Si6 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 muscle in it; and just enough lessons and child play with 
 children to keep her brains going ac fast as her body, and 
 no silly pampering to make her foolish and disagreeable. 
 I know how little and sick she is, but she shan't use it for 
 capital to spoil her whole life. See?" 
 
 'Through a glass darkly/" quoted Mrs. Harding 
 laughing. "Oh Mickey, I didn't think it of you. You're 
 deeper than the well." 
 
 "That's all right," said Mickey, his face flushing. 
 "Often I hear you say 'let good enough alone.' My senti- 
 ments exact. Lily is fine, and so am I. Let us alone! 
 If you and Peter will do me the 'cap-sheaf favour, as 
 he would say, you'll dust up and spunk up, and the very 
 first hint that comes 'cause it's coming at the very 
 first hint of how Miss Leslie would love to take care of 
 the dear little darling awhile, smash down with the nix! 
 Smash like sixty! Keep your eyes and ears open, and if 
 you could, dearest lady, beat them to it: I'd be tickled 
 silly if you manage that. If you could only tell them how 
 careful she has to be handled, and taken care of, and how 
 strangers and many around would be bad for her 
 
 "Mickey, the minute they see the shape things are in 
 here, it will give them the chance they are after, so they 
 will begin that very thing," she said. 
 
 "I know it," conceded Mickey. "That's why I'd 
 put them off if I could, 'til we were fixed and quiet again. 
 But at that, their chance isn't so grand. This isn't worry- 
 ing Lily any. She saw all of it happen, sh* knows what's 
 going on. What I want, dearest /ady, is for you to get on 
 the job, and spunk up to them, just like you did about
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE '517 
 
 Junior going away. I didn't think you'd get through with 
 that, and I know Peter didn't; but you did, fine! Now if 
 you and Peter would have a little private understanding 
 and engineer this visit that I scent in the air, so that when 
 you see they are going to offer pressing invitations to take 
 Lily, and to take me, and put me at work that I wasn't 
 born to do; if you'd only have a receiver out, and when 
 your wires warn you what's coming down the line, first 
 and beforehand, calm and plain, fix things so the nix 
 wouldn't even be needed; do you get me, dearest Mother 
 Harding, do you see?" 
 
 "That I do!" said Mrs. Harding rising abruptly. "I'll 
 go and speak to Peter at once, then we'll shift these work- 
 men back, and quiet them as much as we can. I'll slip 
 on a fresh dress, and put some buttermilk in the well, and 
 fix Peaches right away, if she's finished her nap 
 
 Mrs. Harding's voice trailed back telling what she 
 would do as she hastened to Peter. Mickey, with anxious 
 heart, helped all he could, washed, slipped on a fresh 
 shirt, and watched the process of adjusting Peaches' hair 
 ribbon. 
 
 "Now understand, I don't know they're coming," he 
 said. "I just think they will." 
 
 Because he thought so, for an hour the Harding prem- 
 ises wore a noticeable air of expectation. All the family 
 were clean and purposely keeping so; but the waiting was 
 long, while work was piled high in any direction. Peaches 
 started the return to normal conditions by calling for her 
 slate, and beginning to copy her lesson. Mary with many 
 promises not to scatter her scraps, sat beside the couch,
 
 5i8 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 cutting bright pictures from the papers. Mickey grew 
 restless and began breaking up the remains of packing 
 cases, while Junior went after the wheelbarrow. Mrs. 
 Harding brought out her sewing, and Peter went back to 
 scraping black walnut furniture. Mickey passed him on 
 an errand to the kitchen and asked anxiously: "Did she 
 tell you?" 
 
 "Yes," said Peter. 
 
 "Will you make it a plain case of 'nobody home! no- 
 body home?'" questioned Mickey. 
 
 "I will!" said Peter emphatically. 
 
 Being busy, the big car ran to the gate before they saw 
 it coming. Leslie Winton and Douglas Bruce came up 
 the walk together, while Mr. Winton and Mrs. Minturn 
 waited in the car, in accordance with a suggestion from 
 Douglas that the little sick girl must not see too many 
 strange people at once. Mickey went to meet them, and 
 Peaches watching, half in fear and wholly in pride, saw 
 Douglas Bruce shake his hand until she frowned lest it 
 hurt, clap him on the back, and cry: "Oh but I'm proud 
 of you! Say that was great!" 
 
 Leslie purposely dressed to emphasize her beauty, 
 slipped an arm across his shoulders and drawing him to 
 her kissed his brow. 
 
 "Our poet!" she said. "Oh Mickey, hurry! I'm so 
 eager to hear the ones in the book Douglas tells me you 
 are making! Won't you please read them to us?" 
 
 Mickey smiled as he led the way. "Just nonsense 
 stuff for Lily," he said. "Nothing but fooling, only the 
 prayer one, and maybe two others."
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 519 
 
 An abrupt movement from Peaches as they advanced 
 made Mrs. Harding glance her way in time to see the 
 first wave of deep colour that ever had flooded the child's 
 white face, come creeping up her neck and begin tinging 
 her cheeks, even her forehead. With a swift movement 
 she snatched her poetry book, which always lay with her 
 slate and primer, thrusting it under her pillow; when she 
 saw Mrs. Harding watching her she tilted her head and 
 pursed her lips in scorn: "'Our!'"she mimicked. "'Our!' 
 Wonder whose she thinks he is? Nix on her!" 
 
 Mrs. Harding, caught surprisedly, struggled to sup- 
 press a laugh as she turned to meet her guests. Mickey 
 noticed this. He made his introductions, and swiftly 
 thrust Peaches' Precious Child into her arms, warning 
 in a whisper: " You be careful, Miss!" 
 
 Peaches needed the reminder. She loved the doll. 
 She had been drilled so often on the thanks she was to 
 tender for it, that with it in her fingers she thought of 
 nothing else, so her smile as Leslie approached was lovely. 
 She held out her hand and before Mickey could speak 
 announced: "Jus' as glad to see you! Thank you ever 
 so much for my Precious Child!" 
 
 Nothing more was necessary. Leslie was captivated 
 and would scarcely make way for Douglas to offer his 
 greeting. Mary ran to call her father, while the visitors 
 seated themselves to say the customary polite things; but 
 each of them watched a tiny white-clad creature, with 
 pink ribbons to match the colour in a flawless little face, 
 rounded to the point of delicate beauty, overshadowed 
 by a shower of gold curls, having red lips and lighted by a
 
 520 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 pair of big, blue-gray eyes with long dark lashes. When 
 Mrs. Harding saw both visitors look so intently at Peaches, 
 and intercepted their glance of admiration toward each 
 other, she looked again herself, and then once more. 
 
 Peaches spoke imperiously. " Mickey-lovest, come 
 here and bend down your head." 
 
 Mickey slipped behind Douglas' chair, knelt on one 
 knee, and leaned to see what Peaches desired of him. 
 She drew her handkerchief from her waist ribbon, rubbed 
 it across his forehead, looked at the spot with frowning 
 intentness, rubbed again, and then dropping the hand- 
 kerchief, laid a hand on each side of his head, bent it 
 to her and kissed the spot fervently; then she looked him 
 in the eyes and said with solicitous but engaging sweet- 
 ness: "Mickey, I do wish you would be more careful what 
 you get on your face!" 
 
 Mickey drew back thrilled with delight, but extremely 
 embarrassed. "Aw-a-ah you fool little kid ! " he muttered, 
 and could not look at his friends. 
 
 Watching, Douglas almost shouted, while the flush 
 deepened on Miss Winton's cheeks. Peter began talking 
 to help the situation, so all of them joined in. 
 
 "You are making improvements that look very inter- 
 esting around here," said Douglas to Mrs. Harding. 
 
 "We are doing our level best to evolve a sanitary, mod- 
 ern home for all of us, and to set an example for our neigh- 
 bours," she said quietly. "We always got along very 
 well as we were, but lately, we have found we could have 
 things much more convenient, and when God gave us two 
 more dear children, we needed room for them, and com-
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 521 
 
 forts and appliances to take care of our little new daughter 
 right. When we got started, one thing led to another 
 until we are pretty well torn up; but we've saved the best 
 place for her, and the worst is over." 
 
 "Yes we are on the finish now," said Peter. 
 
 "I did think of taking her and going to my sister's," 
 continued Mrs. Harding, "but Peaches isn't accustomed 
 to meeting people, while Mickey and I both thought 
 being among strangers and changing beds and food would 
 be worse for her than the annoyance of remodelling; then 
 too, I wanted very much to see the work here done as I 
 desired. At first I was doubtful about keeping her, but 
 she doesn't mind in the least; she even takes her afternoon 
 naps with hammers pounding not so far from her 
 
 "Gee, there is no noise and jar here to compare with 
 Multiopolis," said Mickey. "She's all right, getting 
 stronger every day." 
 
 Peaches spread both hands, looking at them critically, 
 back and palm. 
 
 "They are better," she said. "You ought to seen them 
 when they was so clawy they made Mickey shiver if I 
 touched him; and first time I wanted to kiss something or 
 go like granny did, he wouldn't let me 'til I cried, an' then 
 he made me put it on his forehead long time, 'til I got so 
 the bones didn't scratch him; didn't you Mickey?" 
 
 "Well I wish you wouldn't tell everything!" 
 
 "Then I won't," said Peaches, "'cause I'm your fam'ly, 
 an' I must do what you say; an' you are my fam'ly, an' 
 you must do what / say. Are you a fam'ly?" she ques- 
 tioned Leslie and Douglas.
 
 522 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "We hope to be soon," laughed Leslie. 
 
 "Then," said Peaches, "you can look how we're fixing 
 our house so you can make yours nice as this. Mickey, 
 I want to show that pretty lady in the auto'bile my Pre- 
 cious Child." 
 
 "Sure!" said Mickey. "I'll go tell her. And the man 
 with her is Miss Leslie's father, just like Peter is ours; you 
 want to show him the Child, don't your" 
 
 "Ma"be!" said Peaches with a tantalizing smirk. 
 
 "Miss Chicken, you're getting well too fast," com- 
 mented Mickey in amazement as he started to the 
 car. 
 
 Because of what Mr. Winton had said to him the previous 
 day, he composed and delivered this greeting when he 
 reached it : "Lily is asking to show you her Precious Child, 
 Mrs. Minturn, and I want both of you to see our home, and 
 meet our new father and mother. Letting us have them 
 is one thing the law does that makes up a little for the 
 Orphings' Homes most kids get who have had the bad luck 
 to lose their own folks." 
 
 "Mickey, are you prejudiced against Orphans' Homes?" 
 asked Mrs. Minturn as she stepped from the car. 
 
 "Ain't no name for it," said Mickey. "I'm dead against 
 bunching children in squads. If rich folks want to do 
 something worth while with their money, they can do it 
 by each family taking as many orphings as they can afford, 
 and raising them personal. See?" 
 
 "I should ay I do!" exclaimed the lady. "I must 
 speak to James about that. We have two of our own, and 
 William, but I believe we could manage a few more."
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 523 
 
 "I know one I'd like very much to try," said Mr. Win- 
 ton, but Mickey never appeared so unconscious. 
 
 He managed his introductions very well, while again 
 Peaches justified her appellation by being temptingly 
 sweet and conspicuously acid. When Mickey reached 
 Peter in his round of making friends acquainted, he slid his 
 arm through that of the big man and said smilingly: 
 "Nobody is going to mix me with Peter's son by blood- 
 see what a fine chap Junior is; but Peter and I fixed up my 
 sonship with the Almighty, whom my Peter didn't deny, 
 when he took me in, and with the judge of the Multiopolis 
 courts; so even if it doesn't show on the outside, I belong, 
 don't I?" 
 
 Peter threw his left arm around Mickey even as he 
 shook hands with his right: "You surely do," he said, "by 
 law and by love, to the bottom of all our hearts." 
 
 The visit was a notable success. The buttermilk was 
 cold, the spice cake was fresh, the apples and peaches were 
 juicy, the improvements highly commendable. Peter was 
 asked if he would consider a membership in the Golf Club, 
 the playhouse was discussed, and three hours later a group 
 of warm friends parted, with the agreement that Mickey 
 was to spend a day of the latter part of the week fishing 
 on Atwater. 
 
 The Hardings smiled broadly. "Well son, did we man- 
 age that to your satisfaction?" asked Peter. 
 
 " Sure ! " said Mickey. " I might have been mistaken in 
 what half of that trip was for, but I think not." 
 
 "So do I," said Mrs. Harding emphatically. "They 
 were just itching to get their fingers on Peaches; while
 
 524 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 Bruce and Mr. Winton both were chagrined over our get- 
 ting you first." 
 
 "We feel bad about that too, don't we, Peter?" laughed 
 Mickey. 
 
 "Well, I would," said Peter, "if it were the other way 
 around. I didn't mind the young fellow. You'll be with 
 him every day, and he'll soon have boys of his own no 
 doubt; but I feel sorry for Mr. Winton. He looks hungry 
 when he watches you. He could work you into his busi- 
 ness fine." 
 
 "He's all right, he's a nice man," said Mickey, "but I've 
 lived off the Herald all my life 'til this summer, so when 
 school is over I go straight to Mr. ChafFner." 
 
 The Winton car ran to the club house; sitting in a group, 
 the occupants looked at each other rather foolishly. 
 
 "Seems to me you were going to bring Peaches right 
 along, if you liked her, Leslie," laughed Douglas. 
 
 "The little vixen!" she said flushing. 
 
 "Sorry you didn't care for her," he commented. 
 
 " It is a pity ! " said Leslie. " But I didn't ' miss bringing 
 her along' any farther than Mrs. Minturn missed taking 
 her to the hospital to be examined and treated!" 
 
 "I'll have to go again about that," said Mrs. Minturn. 
 "I just couldn't seem to get at it, someway." 
 
 "No, you 'just couldn't seem to,'" agreed Douglas. 
 "And Mr. Winton 'just couldn't seem to' lay covetous 
 hands on Mickey, and bear him away to be his assistant 
 any more than I could force him to be my Little Brother. 
 I hope all of us have a realizing sense that we are permitted 
 to be good and loyal friends; but we will kindly leave
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 525 
 
 Mickey to make his own arrangements, and work out his' 
 own salvation, and that of his child. And Leslie, I didn't 
 hear you offering to buy any of the quaint dishes and old 
 furniture you hoped you might pick up there, either." 
 
 "Heavens!" cried Leslie half tearfully. "How would 
 any one go about offering to buy an old platter that was 
 wrapped in a silk shawl and kept in the dresser drawer 
 during repairs, or ask a man to set a price on old furniture, 
 when he was scraping off the varnish of generations, and 
 showing you wood grain and colouring with the pride of 
 a veteran collector? I feel so silly! Let's play off our 
 chagrin, and then we'll be in condition for friendship which 
 is the part that falls to us, if I understand Mickey." 
 
 "Well considering the taste I've had of the quality of his 
 friendship, I hope you won't be surprised at the statement 
 that I feel highly honoured," said Mr. Winton, leading the 
 way, while the others thoughtfully followed. 
 
 With four days' work the Harding home began to show 
 what was being accomplished. The song of the house- 
 wife carried to the highway. Neighbours passing went 
 home to silent, overworked drudges, and critically ex- 
 amined for the first time stuffy, dark kitchens, reeking 
 with steam, heat, and the odour of cooking and decorated 
 with the grime of years. The little leaven of one home in 
 the neighbourhood, as all homes should be, set them think- 
 ing. A week had not passed until people began calling 
 Mrs. Harding to the telephone to explain just what she 
 was doing, and why. Men would stop to ask Peter what 
 was going on, so every time he caught a victim, he never 
 released him until the man saw sunrise above a kitchen
 
 526 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 table, a line in the basement for a winter wash, kitchen im- 
 plements from a pot scraper and food pusher to a gas 
 range and electric washing machine, with a furnace and 
 hardwood floors thrown in. Soon the rip of shovelled 
 shingles, the sound of sawing, and the ring of hammers 
 filled the air. 
 
 The Harding improvements improved so fast, that sand, 
 cement, and the big pile of lumber began accumulating at 
 Peter's corner of the crossroads below the home, for the 
 playhouse. Men who started by calling Peter a fool, ended 
 by borrowing his plans and belabouring themselves for 
 their foolishness; for the neighbourhood was awakening 
 and beginning to develop a settled conviction as to what 
 constituted the joy of life, and that the place to enjoy it 
 was at home, r.nd the time immediately. Peter's reward 
 was not only in renewed happiness for himself and Nancy; 
 equal to it was his pleasure over the same renewal for 
 many of his lifelong friends. 
 
 Mickey started on his day to Atwater with joyful an- 
 ticipation, but he jumped from Douglas* car and ran up 
 the Harding front walk at three o'clock, his face anxious. 
 He saw the Harding car at the gate, and wondered at Peter 
 sitting dressed for leisure on the veranda. 
 
 "Got anxious about Lily," he explained. "Out on the 
 lake I thought I heard her call me, then I had the notion 
 she was crying for me. They laughed at me, but I 
 couldn't stand it. Is she asleep, as they said she'd be?" 
 
 Peter opened his lips, but no word came. Mickey slowly 
 turned a ghastly white. Peter reached in his side pocket, 
 drew out a letter, and handed it to the boy. Mickey
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 527 
 
 pulled the sheet from the envelope, still staring at Peter, 
 then glanced at what he held and collapsed on the step. 
 Peter moved beside him, laid a steadying arm across his 
 shoulders and proved his fear was as great as Mickey's by 
 being unable to speak. At last the boy produced articu- 
 late words. 
 
 "He came ?" he marvelled. 
 
 "About ten this morning," said Peter. 
 
 "He took her to the hospital?" panted Mickey. 
 
 "Yes," said Peter. 
 
 "Why did you let him?" demanded Mickey. 
 
 That helped Peter. He indicated the letter. 
 
 "There's your call for him!" he said, emphatically. 
 "You asked me to adopt her so I could give him orders to 
 go ahead when he came." 
 
 "Why didn't you telephone me?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "I did," said Peter. "The woman who answered 
 didn't know where you were, but she said their car had 
 gone to town, so I thought maybe they'd find you there. I 
 was just going to call them again." 
 
 "Was she afraid?" wavered Mickey. 
 
 "Yes, I think she was," said Peter. 
 
 "Did she cry for me?" asked Mickey. 
 
 "Yes she did," admitted Peter, who hadn't a social lie 
 in his being, "but when he offered to put off the examina- 
 tion till he might come again, she climbed from the cot and 
 made him take her. Ma went with her." 
 
 "The Sunshine Nurse came?" questioned Mickey. 
 
 "Yes," said Peter, "and Mrs. Minturn. She sent for 
 him to see about an operation on a child she is trying to
 
 528 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 save, so when it was over, he showed her your letter. She 
 brought them out in her car, and Ma went back with 
 them." 
 
 "She may be on that glass table right now," gulped 
 Mickey. "What time is it? When's the next car? Run 
 me to the station will you, and if you've got any money, 
 let me have it 'til I get to mine." 
 
 "Of course!" said Peter. 
 
 "Will Junior and Mary be all right?" asked Mickey, 
 pausing in his extremity to think of others. 
 
 "Yes, they often stay while we go." 
 
 "Hurry!" begged Mickey. 
 
 Peter took hold of the gear and faced straight ahead. 
 
 "She's oiled, the tank full, the engine purring like 
 a kitten," he said. "Mickey, I always wanted to beat 
 that trolley just once, to show it I could, if I wasn't loaded 
 with women and children. Awful nice road " 
 
 "Go on! "said Mickey. 
 
 Peter smiled, sliding across the starter. 
 
 "Sit tight!" he said tersely. 
 
 The big car slipped up the road no faster than it had 
 gone frequently, passed the station, then on and on; 
 Mickey twisted to look back at the rattle of the trolley 
 Stopping behind them, watching it with wishful eye. 
 Peter opened his lips to say: "Just warmed up enough, 
 and an even start!" 
 
 The trolley came abreast and whistled. Peter bfew 
 his horn, glancing that way with a little "come on" for- 
 ward jerk of his head. The motorman nodded, touched 
 his gear and the car started. Peter laid prideful, loving
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 529 
 
 hands on his machinery; for the first time with legitimate 
 racing excuse, as he long had wished to, he tried out his 
 engine. Mickey could see the faces of the protesting pas- 
 sengers and the conductor grinning in the door, but Peter 
 could not have heard if he had tried to tell him. Flying 
 it was, smooth and even, past fields, orchards, and houses; 
 past people who cried out at them and shook their fists. 
 Mickey looked at Peter and registered for life each line 
 of his big frame and lineament of his face, as he gripped 
 the gear and put his car over the highway. When 
 they reached the pavement, Mickey touched Peter's arm. 
 "Won't make anything by getting arrested," he cautioned . 
 
 "No police for blocks yet," said Peter. 
 
 "Well there's risk of life and damage suit at each cross- 
 ing!" shouted Mickey, so Peter slowed a degree; but he 
 was miles ahead of all regulations as he stopped before the 
 gleaming entrance. Mickey sprang from the car and hur- 
 ried up the steps. Mrs. Minturn arose from a seat and 
 came to meet him. 
 
 "Take me to her quick!" begged Mickey. 
 
 Silently she led the way to her suite in her old home, and 
 opened the door. Mickey had a glimpse of Mrs. Harding, 
 his Sunshine Nurse, and three men, one of whom he recog- 
 nized from reproductions of his features in the papers. A 
 very white, tired-looking Peaches stretched both hands 
 and uttered a shrill cry as Mickey appeared in the door- 
 way. His answer was inarticulate while his arms spread 
 widely. Then Peaches arose, and in a few shuffling but 
 sustained steps fell on his breast, gripping him with all 
 her strength.
 
 530 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 "Oh darling, you'll kill yourself," wailed Mickey. 
 
 He laid her on the davenport and knelt clasping her. 
 Peaches regained self-control first; she sat up, shamelessly 
 wiping Mickey's eyes and her own alternately. 
 
 " Flowersy-girl, did you hurt yourself awful?" 
 
 "I know something I won't tell," chanted Peaches, as 
 she had been doing for days. 
 
 Mickey looked at her, then up at Peter, who had en- 
 tered and come to them. 
 
 " Did you?" eagerly asked Peter of the child. 
 
 Peaches nodded proudly. "To meet Mickey," she 
 triumphed. "I wouldn't for anybody else first! The 
 longest piece yet I And it didn't hurt and I didn't fall!" 
 
 "Good!" shouted Peter. "That's the ticket!" 
 
 "You look here Miss Chicken, what do you mean?" 
 cried Mickey wonderingly. 
 
 "Oh the Doctor Carrel man you sent for, came," ex- 
 plained Peaches, "and you wasn't there, but he had your 
 name on the letter you wrote; he showed me, so I came 
 and let him examination me; but Peter and I been stand- 
 ing alone, and taking steps when nobody was looking. 
 You've surprised me joyful so much, it takes one as big 
 as that to pay you back." 
 
 Mickey clung to his treasure, while turning to Peter an 
 awed, questioning face. 
 
 "That's it!" said Peter. "She's been on her feet for 
 ten days or such a matter!" 
 
 Mickey appealed to Dr. Carrel. " How about this ? " he 
 demanded. 
 
 "She's going to walk," said the great man assuringly.
 
 MICKEY'S MIRACLE 53 i 
 
 " It's all over ? You've performed your miracle ? " asked 
 Mickey. 
 
 "Yes," said Dr. Carrel. "It's all over Mickey; but 
 you had the miracle performed before I saw her, lad." 
 
 Mickey retreated to Peaches' neck again, while she 
 smiled over and comforted him. 
 
 "Mickey, I knew you'd be crazy," she said. "I knew 
 you'd be glad, but I didn't know you could be so " 
 
 Mickey took her in his arms a second, then slowly re- 
 covered his feet and a small amount of self-possession. 
 Again he turned to the surgeons. 
 
 "Are you sure? Will it hurt her? Will it last?"" 
 
 "Very sure," said Dr. Carrel. "Calm yourself, lad. 
 Her case is not so unusual; only more aggravated than 
 usual. I've examined her from crown to sole, and she's 
 straight and sound. You have started her permanent 
 cure; all you need is to keep on exactly as you are go- 
 ing, and limit her activities so that in her joy she doesn't 
 overdo and tire herself. You are her doctor. I Congrats 
 ulateyou!" 
 
 Dr. Carrel came forward, holding out his hand, and 
 Mickey took it with the one of his that was not grip- 
 ping Peaches and said, "Aw-a-ah!" but he was a radiant 
 boy. 
 
 "Thank you sir," he said. "Thank everybody. But 
 thank you especial, over and over. I don't know how I'll 
 ever square up with you, but I'll pay you all I have to 
 start on. I've some money I've saved from my wages, 
 and I'll be working harder and earning more all the time." 
 
 "But Mickey," protested the surgeon, "you don't owe
 
 532 MICHAEL O'HALLORAN 
 
 me anything. I didn't operate! You had the work done 
 before I arrived. I would have come sooner, but I knew 
 she couldn't be operated, even if her case demanded it, 
 until she had gained more strength 
 
 He was watching Mickey's face and he read aright, so 
 he continued: "I liked that suggestion you made in your 
 letter very much. Something 'coming in steadily' is a 
 good thing for any man to have. For the next three 
 months, suppose you send me that two dollars a week you 
 offered me if I'd come. How would that be ? " 
 
 Mickey gathered Peaches in his arms and looked over 
 his shoulder as he started on the homeward trip. 
 
 "Thank you sir," he said tersely. "That would be 
 square." 
 
 THE END
 
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