on that point and that I am a man of my word. While you are doing that
we can arrange with Mrs. Mullarkey. We want to be alone with her. I'll
see you again before to-night's performance."

Mr. Darner stood up.

"I do not doubt your desire or ability in the matter," he said, "and, as
you wish it, I will consult Mr. Burrows. Nobody can be gladder than I am
that things have turned out this way. I don't like breaking up families
and taking children out to the farm, though some people say that I do. I
have to do a lot of things that go against the grain. I've wanted to do
what was best for you, Mrs. Mullarkey."

"We are sure you meant things for the best, Mr. Darner," said Jerry's
mother. "Good-by."

Mrs. Mullarkey was looking so hard at Jerry's parents that she did not
return Mr. Darner's "Good afternoon" as he left the house or seem even
to have heard it.

"It can't be true, what you just said," she at length articulated in a
choked voice. "Such things don't happen to us."

"It is true," Jerry's mother assured her.

"We shall not forget what you have done for Gary," said Whiteface. "I
calculate that I owe you at the least one thousand dollars for taking
care of him--"

"A thousand dollars!" gasped Danny. "Why, that's as much as father's