if we all work together we'll land her in the money, sure."

Peter Knight pinched his full red lips into a pucker and stared
speculatively at his wife. It was not often that she openly showed
her hand to him.

"It seems like an awful long chance," he said.

"Not so long, perhaps, as you think," his wife assured him.
"Anyhow, it's our ONLY chance, and we're not popular in Vale."

"Have you talked to her about it?"

"A little. She'll do anything we ask. She's a good girl that way."

The three were still buried in discussion when Lorelei appeared at
the door.

"I'm going over to Mabel's," she paused a moment to say. "I'll be
back early, mother."

In Peter Knight's eyes, as he gazed at his daughter, there was
something akin to shame; but Jim evinced only a hard, calculating
appraisal. Both men inwardly acknowledged that the mother had
spoken less than half the truth, for the girl was extravagantly,
bewitchingly attractive. Her face and form would have been
noticeable anywhere and under any circumstances; but now in
contrast with the unmodified homeliness of her parents and brother
her comeliness was almost startling. The others seemed to
harmonize with their drab surroundings, with the dull,