once rested upon the stub of the cigarette lying upon the grate where
Grimsby had thrown it. She also smelled the smoke of tobacco and
instantly surmised that something out of the ordinary had happened to
agitate her usually self-possessed mother.

"Somebody has been here annoying you," she cried, turning impulsively
to the woman. "Was it Tom asking for more money?"

Again the woman bowed her head, and made no immediate answer. Her
thoughts were active, and she was glad of any excuse.

"How did you know he was here?" she at length asked, without looking up.

"I met a man hurrying from the door as I came in. It was too dark to
see who he was, and he did not seem to notice me at all. Tom knows my
opinion of him, and so he is not anxious to meet me. I did not think
of Tom, though, until I found you so upset. And he was smoking too,
for there is the stub of his cigarette. Why can't he leave you alone?"

"He never will, Jess. He is just like Will and Dick. They are always
bothering me about money, as if I haven't been giving to them for
years. They are just like helpless children."

"Worse, mother. They are three useless men. It is well that I am a
girl, for I might be tempted to follow their miserable example. Are
you not glad that you have only three sons instead of four?"

Receiving no reply, the girl took off her hat, laid aside her wraps,
and rang for the maid. Then she drew up a chair and sat down by her
mother's side.