interest and everything--and she wouldn't sell an acre. I shan't let her
keep on----"

"Are you going to turn me out?"

His smile was irresistible. Randy smiled back. "I suppose you think I'm
a fool----?"

"Yes. For being ashamed of it."

Randy's head went up. "I'm not ashamed of the boarding-house. I am
ashamed to have my mother work."

"So," said the lame man, softly, "that's it? And your name is Paine?"

"Randolph Paine of King's Crest. There have been a lot of us--and not a
piker in the lot."

"I am Mark Prime."

"Major Prime of the 135th?"

The other nodded. "The wonderful 135th--God, what men they were----" his
eyes shone.

Randy made his little gesture of salute. "They were that. I don't wonder
you are proud of them."

"It was worth all the rest," the Major said, "to have known my men."