he stairs outside Tish's apartment, with his head in his hands.

"She has put me out!" he said, looking up at me with tragic eyes. "My
mother has put me out! She does not love Tufik! No one loves Tufik! I am
no good. I am a dirty dago!"

I was really shocked. I rang the bell and Tish let me in. She had had no
maid since Hannah's departure and was taking her meals out. She saw
Tufik and stiffened.

"I thought I sent you away!" she said, glaring at him.

He looked at her pitifully.

"Where must I--go?" he asked, and coughed.

Tish sighed and flung the door wide open. "Bring him in," she said with
resignation, "but for Heaven's sake lock him in a closet until I get my
underwear packed. And if he weeps--slap him."

The poor boy was very repentant, and seeing that his cough worried us he
fought it back bravely. I mixed the white of an egg with lemon juice and
sugar, and gave it to him. He was pathetically grateful and kissed my
hand. At five o'clock we sent him away firmly, having given him
thirty-six dollars. He presented each of us with a roll of crocheted
lace to take with us and turned in the doorway to wave a wistful final
good-bye.

We met at Tish's that night so that we might all go together to the
train. Charlie Sands had agreed to see us off and to keep an eye on
Tufik during our absence. Aggie was in a palpitating travel ecstasy,
clutching a patent seasick remedy and a map of the Canal Zone; Tish was
seeing that the janitor shut off the gas and water in the apartment; and
Charlie Sands was jumping on top of a steamer trunk to close it. The
taxicab was at the door and we had just time to make the night train.
The steamer sailed early the next morning.

"All ready!" cried Charlie Sands, getting the lid down finally. "All off
for the Big Ditch!"

We all heard a noise in the hall--a sort of scuffling, with an
occasional groan. Tish rushed over and threw open the door. On the top
step, huddled and shivering, with streams of water running off his hair
down over his celluloid collar, pouring out of his sleeves and cascading
down the stairs from his trousers legs, was Tufik. The policeman on the
beat was prodding at him with his foot, trying to make him get up. When
he saw us the officer touched his hat.

"Evening, Miss Tish," he said, grinning. "This here boy of yours has
been committing suicide. Just fished him out of the lake in the park!"

"Get up!" snapped Charlie Sands. "You infernal young idiot! Get up