David drew a long breath. He understood the matter now. "It isn't
fair that you should pay it twice," said he.

"I haven't paid it twice; that is, I haven't paid you at all. It's
all right, David, you may depend upon it. They'll never fool us
again. If I should ever have any more of your money, nobody could get
it except yourself."

"Or mother," added David.

"O, of course. I wouldn't be afraid to trust her."

"I was in hopes that you would have a good deal of my money in your
hands some day," continued David. "I was going to ask you to keep my
hundred and fifty dollars for me; but I don't know now whether I
shall ever get it or not."

"Of course you'll get it," exclaimed Bert. "You are not going to give
up the idea of trapping the quails, are you?"

"No, but I don't know that I shall make anything at it, for Dan and
Lester can break up my traps faster than I can make them."

"Well, they'll not break up a single one of your traps, because----"

Here Don began and hurriedly repeated the conversation which he and
Bert had had with their father a few hours before. As David listened
the look of trouble his face had worn all that day gradually faded
away, and the old happy smile took its place. His confidence in his