by the boys he's grown up with. I've never heard a word of
complaint from him."

"About his not being sent to college?" Alice cried. "I should think you
wouldn't! He didn't even have enough ambition to finish high school!"

Mrs. Adams sighed. "It seemed to me Walter lost his ambition when nearly
all the boys he'd grown up with went to Eastern schools to prepare for
college, and we couldn't afford to send him. If only your father would
have listened----"

Alice interrupted: "What nonsense! Walter hated books and studying, and
athletics, too, for that matter. He doesn't care for anything nice that
I ever heard of. What do you suppose he does like, mama? He must like
something or other somewhere, but what do you suppose it is? What does
he do with his time?"

"Why, the poor boy's at Lamb and Company's all day. He doesn't get
through until five in the afternoon; he doesn't HAVE much time."

"Well, we never have dinner until about seven, and he's always late for
dinner, and goes out, heaven knows where, right afterward!" Alice shook
her head. "He used to go with our friends' boys, but I don't think he
does now."

"Why, how could he?" Mrs. Adams protested. "That isn't his fault, poor
child! The boys he knew when he was younger are nearly all away at
college."

"Yes, but he doesn't see anything of 'em when they're here at
holiday-time or vacation. None of 'em come to the house any more."

"I suppose he's made other friends. It's natural for him to want
companions, at his age."

"Yes," Alice said, with disapproving emphasis. "But who are they? I've
got an idea he plays pool at some rough place down-town."

"Oh, no; I'm sure he's a steady boy," Mrs. Adams protested, but her tone
was not that of thoroughgoing conviction, and she added, "Life might
be a very different thing for him if only your father can be brought to
see----"

"Never mind, mama! It isn't me that has to be convinced, you know; and
we can do a lot more with papa if we just let him alone about it for a
day or two. Promise me you won't say any more to him until--well, until
he's able to come downstairs to table. Will you?"

Mrs. Adams bit her lip, which had begun to tremble. "I think you can
trust me to know a FEW things, Alice," she said. "I'm a little older
than you, you know."

"That's a good girl!" Alice jumped up, laughing. "Don't forget it's the
same as a promise, and do just cheer him up a little. I'll say good-bye
to him before I go out."