It's a toss
up if we _get_ it at all to-day as she's gone out."

Stephen rose to his tall height and stood smiling down at the tired
face.

"You shall have it, my boy. I'll make it myself. It won't be the first
time. Have you any idea where the crocks live? I don't want to
upset--"

Before he could complete his sentence, a thunderous knocking sounded at
the front door, causing both hearers to start with astonishment. So
loud, so vigorous, so long continued was the assault, that the first
surprise deepened into indignation, and Pat's dark eyes sent out a
threatening flash.

"This is _too_ strong! Lost her key, I suppose, and expects me to crawl
on all fours to let her in. You go, Glynn, and send her straight here
to me! I'll give her a bit of my mind. I'm just in the mood to do it.
Leaving me alone for hours and then knocking down my door--!"

Stephen Glynn crossed the floor, his face set into an alarming
sternness, for his irritation against his friend's neglectful domestic
had been growing for weeks, and this was the culminating point. He
seized the handle, turned it quietly, and jerked the door open with a
disconcerting suddenness which had the effect of precipitating the
new-comer into his arms.

"Me _dear_!" she cried rapturously, as she fell, but the same moment she
was upright again, bolt upright, scorching him with disdainful glance.
"It's not!--Where am I? ... They _said_ it was Mr O'Shaughnessy's
flat!"

"It is! It is! Pixie! Pixie! Come in, come quick! Oh, you blessed
little simpleton, what's the meaning of this? You'd no business to
come. There's no room for you. I'm nearly well now. There's no need--
I--I--oh, _Pixie_!" and poor, tired, hungry Pat lay back weakly in his
sister's arms, and came perilously near subsiding into tears. It had
been hard work keeping up his pecker all these long weeks, it was so
overwhelmingly home-like to see Pixie's face, and listen to her deep
mellow tones...

"There's _got_ to be room, me dear, for I've come to stay. How dare you
be ill by yourself? It's a bad effect London has had on you to make you
so close and secretive. You! Who yelled the roof down if you as much
as scratched your finger! We got the note this morning--"

"Glynn made me send it. He's been worrying at me for weeks. Glynn!"
Pat raised his voice to a cry. "Where are you? Come in, you beggar.
It's Pixie! My sister Pixie. Come and shake hands."

Stephen and Pixie a