woman played the fool with the boy. I'll be lucky now if he remembers
who I am.'
He turned abruptly to Mamie.
'Mamie, you can tell them whatever you please when you get home. They
can't blame you. It's not your fault. Tell them that Steve was acting
for me with my complete approval. Tell them that the kid's going to be
brought up right from now on. I've got him, and I'm going to keep him.'
Mamie had risen and was facing him, a very determined midget, pink and
resolute.
'I'm not going home, Mr. Winfield.'
'What?'
'If you are going to Bill, I am coming with you.'
'Nonsense.'
'That's my place, with him.'
'But you can't. It's impossible.'
'Not more impossible than what has happened already.'
'I won't take you.'
'Then I'll go by train. I know where your house is. Steve told me.'
'It's out of the question.'
Mamie's Irish temper got the better of her professional desire to
maintain the discreetly respectful attitude of employee toward
employer.
'Is it then? We'll see. Do you think I'm going to leave you and Steve
to look after my Bill? What do men know about taking care of children?
You would choke the poor mite or let him kill himself a hundred ways.'
She glared at him defiantly. He glared back at her. Then his sense of
humour came to his rescue. She looked so absurdly small standing there
with her chin up and her fists clenched. He laughed delightedly. He
went up to her and placed a hand on each of her shoulders, looking down
at her. He felt that he loved her for her championship of Bill.
'You're a brick, Mamie. Of course you shall come. We'll call at the house
and you can pack your grip. But, by George, if you put that infernal
thermometer in I'll run the automobile up against a telegraph-pole, and
then Bill will lose us both.'
'Finished?' said a voice. 'Oh, I beg your pardon. Sorry.'
Mr. Penway was gazing at them with affectionate interest from the
doorway. Kirk released Mamie and stepped back.
'I only looked in,' explained Mr. Penway. 'Didn't mean to intrude.
Thought you might have finished your chat, and it was a trifle lonely
communing with nature.'
'Bob,' said Kirk, 'you'll have to get on without me for a day or two.
Make yourself at home. You know where everything is.'
'I can satisfy my simple needs. Thinking of going away?'
'I've got to go up to Connecticut. I don't know how long I shall be
away.'
'Take your time,' said Mr. Penway affably. 'Going in the auto?'
'Yes.'
'The weather is very pleasant for automobiling just now,' remarked Mr.
Penway.
* * * * *
