on if I had not departed, but instead was still upstairs and hard at
work with most definite orders that I was not to be disturbed for
anything less important than total, personal disaster.

I can offer you a word of explanation about young James. You will find
him extraordinarily competent for a youngster of eight years. Were he
less competent, I might have delayed my departure long enough to pass
him literally from my supervision to yours. However, James is quite
capable of taking care of himself; this fact you will appreciate fully
long before you and I meet face-to-face.

In the meantime, remember that our letters and the other references
acquaint us with one another far better than a few short hours of
personal contact.

Sincerely,
Charles Maxwell

"Well!" said Mrs. Bagley. "I don't know what to say."

Jimmy smiled. "You don't have to say anything," he said.

Mrs. Bagley looked at the youngster. "I don't think I like your Mr.
Maxwell," she said.

"Why not?"

"He's practically shanghaied me here. He knows very well that I couldn't
possibly leave you here all alone, no matter how I disliked the
situation. He's practically forced me to stay."