The Monroes had plenty of spending money; for although their father
was strongly opposed to the idea of making any child of his a
definite allowance, he allowed them to keep the change whenever they
executed small commissions for him, and to wheedle from him stray
quarter and half dollars. Lydia had only to watch for the favourable
moment to get whatever she asked, and with Leonard he was especially
generous. Martie knew that she could save, if she determined to do
so. She imagined Rodney's voice: "Bringing more money in? You'll
soon be rich at this rate, Martie!"




CHAPTER III


A few days later Rodney Parker walked home from the village with
Martie Monroe again. Meeting her in Bonestell's, he paid for her
chocolate sundae, and on their way up Main Street they stopped in
the Library, so that Miss Fanny saw them. Every one saw them: first
of all generous little Sally, who was to meet Martie in Bonestell's,
but who, perceiving that Rodney had joined her there, slipped away
unseen, and, blindly turning over the ribbons on Mason's remnant
counter, prayed with all her heart that Rodney would continue to
fill her place.

They walked up Main Street, Martie glancing up from under her shabby
hat with happy blue eyes, Rodney sauntering contentedly at her side.

How much he knew, how much he had done, the girl thought, with an