waited kind of squeeged up against the wall, an' he never saw me. He
went on out to the back stairs, an' went down the stairs tiptoe, mamma.
You know what I think, mamma? I think he goes out that way an' through
the kitchen on account of papa's clo'es."

Mrs. Baxter paused, with her hand upon the key of the shaded electric
lamp. "I suppose so," she said. "I think perhaps--" For a moment or
two she wrapped herself in thought. "Perhaps"--she repeated,
musingly--"perhaps we'll keep this just a secret between you and me for
a little while, Jane, and not say anything to papa about the clothes. I
don't think it will hurt them, and I suppose Willie feels they give
him a great advantage over the other boys--and papa uses them so very
little, especially since he's grown a wee bit stouter. Yes, it will be
our secret, Jane. We'll think it over till to-morrow."

"Yes'm."

Mrs. Baxter turned out the light, then came and kissed Jane in the dark.
"Good night, dear."

"G' night, mamma." But as Mrs. Baxter reached the door Jane's voice was
heard again.

"Mamma?"

"Yes?" Mrs. Baxter paused.

"Mamma," Jane said, slowly, "I think--I think Mr. Parcher is a very nice
man. Mamma?"