"Yes. Before I went we had mortgaged things to help me through the
University. I should have finished in a year if I hadn't enlisted.
And Mother insisted there was enough for her. But there wasn't with
the 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