only a week's duration, Theo's
visit to the Croydens stretched on into the second week before any one
seemed to realize it. Ten days passed and still the lad had not been
to the porcelain works--one of his chief aims in coming to
Trenton. Each morning at breakfast Mrs. Croyden presented so many
delightful plans for the day, and was so eager to have Theo accompany
her to the golf club, the tennis club, or for a motor ride, that the
hours sped by and night came only too soon.

For Mrs. Croyden was a marvelous comrade for a boy, a strange mixture
of youthfulness and maturity; of feminine charm and masculine freedom
from conventionality. She loved boys and understood how to be one with
them, and in consequence the friendship that at first had extended
only to Mr. Croyden Theo now stretched to include her. Nor did the
stretching demand effort. Who could have resisted the sweet wholesome
interest of this fascinating woman with her soft brown eyes, her quick
sympathy, and her girlish love of sport?

As the days fled by a tie of real affection strengthened between them,
and Theo found himself talking with an amazing freedom of his dreams
and ambitions; of his chums; and of his life at home. To all these
things Mrs. Croyden listened earnestly, now and then putting in a word
of interest or encouragement. Sometimes in the evening Mr. Croyden
joined in these talks; and sometimes all three of them abandoned life
and its problems and went to the theatre, or to a moving picture show.

"I declare, Theo, I don't know how we are to do without you when you
go back home," exclaimed Mr. Croyden one night at dinner. "It will
leave a big hole in the house, won't it, Madeline?"

Mrs. Croyden nodded and a shadow passed across her face.

"I wish we might borrow Theo for a long, long time," she sighed
wistfully. "But I suppose your family would not listen to that,
laddie."

"I'm afraid not," Theo answered. "Mother seems to be getting a little
impatient as it is. She thinks I've been gone a pretty long time."

"Long? Nonsense! Why, you've only just come," Mr. Croyden said
emphatically. "Up to now you have been visiting Mrs. Croyden. You
haven't been my guest at all. Haven't we got the porcelain works ahead
of us? That will take the best part of another week."

"Then I am afraid I'd better be getting at it," laughed Theo, "for
Mother writes we're to leave for Lake George the middle of July."

"Mercy on us!" blustered Mr. Croyden. "I don'