injured. I had no intention of insulting you by offering charity. Far
from it."

Instantly, the man's face changed. He put out his hands protestingly,
and his blue eyes filled, as he said, impulsively. "Auntie Sue, after
what you have done for me, I--"

She answered quickly: "We are considering the future. What has been, is
past. Our river is already far beyond that point in its journey. Don't
let us try to turn the waters back. I promise you I am going to be very,
very practical, and make you pay for EVERYTHING."

Smiling, now, he waited for her to explain.

"I must tell you, first," she began, "that, except for a very small
amount in the--in a savings bank, I have nothing to provide for my last
days except this little farm."

"What a shame," Brian Kent exclaimed, "that a woman like you can give
her life to the public schools for barely enough salary to keep her
alive during her active years, and then left in her old age with no
means of support. It is a national disgrace."

Auntie Sue chuckled with appreciation of the rather grim humor of the
situation. What would Brian Kent, indignant at the public neglect of the
school-teacher, say of the man who had robbed her of the money that was
to provide for her closing years? "After all, most public sins are only
individual sins at the last," she said, musingly.

"I beg your pardon," said Brian, not in the least seeing the relevancy