"

That "don't-you-think?" so characteristic of Betty Jo, did its work, as
usual; and so, almost before Brian Kent realized what he was doing,
it had been decided for him that to follow Judy's advice was the best
possible thing he could do, and he was relating his whole wretched
experience to this young woman, about whom he knew nothing except that
she was a niece of an old pupil of Auntie Sue's, and that she had just
finished a course in a business college in Cincinnati.

At several points in his story Betty Jo asked straightforward
questions, or made short, matter-of-fact comments; but, always with her
businesslike air of competent interest. Indeed, she managed to treat the
situation as being wholly impersonal; while at the same time the man
was never for a moment made to feel that she was lacking in sincere and
genuine sympathy. Only when he told her that his name was Brian Kent,
and mentioned the Empire Consolidated Savings Bank, did she for the
moment betray excited surprise. When she saw that he had noticed, she
said quickly: "I read of the affair in the papers, of course."

Auntie Sue had indeed taken a big chance when she decided for Betty Jo
to come to help Brian with his book. But Auntie Sue had taken no chance
on Betty Jo herself. Perhaps it was, in fact, the dear old teacher's
certainty about Betty Jo herself that had led her to accept the risk
of sending for the niece of her friend and pupil under such a peculiar
combination of circumstances.

When Brian had finished his story with the account of his discovery of
the distressing fact that he had robbed Auntie Sue and that she knew he
had robbed her, Betty Jo said: "It is really a sad story, isn't it, Mr.
Burns? But, oh, isn't Auntie Sue wonderful! Was there ever such
another woman in the world! Don't you love her? And couldn't you do
anything--anything that would make her happy? After all, when you think
of Auntie Sue, and how wonderful she has been, this whole thing isn't so
bad, is it?"

"Why, I--I--don't think I see what you mean," Brian replied, puzzled
by the unexpected turn she had given to the situation, yet convinced by
that little question with which she finished that she was somehow right.

"Well, I mean wouldn't YOU love to do for some one what Auntie Sue has
done for you? I should if I were only big enough and good enough.
It seems to me it would make one the happiest and contentedest and
peacefulest person in the world, wouldn't it?"

B