an allowance. The two thousand, of course, you'll continue to get. I
can't control that. But beyond...."

"Two thousand! What good will that do me? Do you think I can live on
that?"

"Some people do," she murmured faintly. Judith was not without a certain
quiet irony when she chose to employ it.

"Don't be silly, Judith. You know mighty well I can't get along on that.
Why, good heavens, I can't possibly do it!" His voice rose shrilly as
the enormity of the thought struck him with all its force. But Judith
refused to be troubled.

"Perhaps you'll know more about it after you've tried," she said gently.

Roger jumped to his feet and paced rapidly to and fro for a moment. Then
he faced his sister, and his eyes blazed like those of an angry cat.

"Do you really mean that you're going to play this rotten trick on me?"
he demanded hotly. "Are you going to take advantage of a perfectly
insane will and cheat me out of what's honestly mine? Or are you kidding
me? If you are, I've had about enough of it."

"I mean every word," she returned, with not a little asperity. "And I'm
not cheating you. You've made a mess of your life, left to yourself. Now
I'm going to help you. I'm tired of suffering for your sins!" Suddenly
the quality of her voice changed completely and her eyes glistened
suggestively. "Oh, Roger lad, can't you understand? Can't you see
that I do so want you to make something of yourself? You're the only
thing I have in the world. Can't you see how it hurts me to have
people feel a contempt for you? I'm the only mother you've ever had.
I know I haven't done a millionth part of what I should have done
for you. I've failed--miserably. I know that. All your weaknesses
are due to me. You aren't to blame. This is my last chance. You're
slipping, Roger--slipping down. This is my last chance to catch
you--before--before ... it's too late. Judge Wolcott agrees: I talked it
over with him. Oh, I'm sorry, lad. You haven't an idea how sorry! It
breaks my heart to be cruel to you this way--but I've got to be, Roger.
I've got to be--can't you understand? Please say you do." She put her
arms around his neck and laid her cheek against his. But he shook her
off roughly.

"That's all very fine talk," he snapped savagely, "but it doesn't mean
anything. Who the devil is old Wolcott to worry about my morals...?"

"As Molly's father he...."

"Molly can take care of herself. But that isn't the point. What I want
to know is where