ie threw up both well-powdered arms. "Hear that!" she cried.
"Except her mother! And Clare says the kid ain't seen the mother since
she was weaned!"

Hull shook his head. "Isn't it strange!" he mused; "--the difference
between members of the same family! There's one sister, neglecting her
own child--and a sweet child. And here's another sister, bearing the
burden."

But Barbara was quick to the rescue of the absent parent under
criticism. "Aunt Clare says that some day my mother's coming back from
Africa," she protested. "And then I'm going to be with her all the
time--every day."

"I s'pose the kid'll live with you and Clare when you marry," ventured
Tottie.

"No. Clare doesn't want me to have the expense. Says it isn't fair.
But--I'll get in touch with that father."

Again the child interposed, recognizing the note of threatening.
"Maybe my father won't come with my mother," she declared. "Because he
hunts lions."

Tottie laughed. "Well, he'd better cut out huntin' lions," she
retorted, "and hunt you some duds." Then to Hull, "I wonder what
they're up to, 'way out there. What is it about 'em that's so secret?"

"That's not my affair," reminded Hull, bluntly. He got up, dropping
the child's hand.

Feeling herself dismissed, but scarcely knowing at what or whom this
stranger was directing his ill-temper, Barbara retreated, and to the
doll, sitting starkly upon the green chair. "Come on, Lolly-Poppins,"
she whispered tenderly, and taking the doll up in her arms, went back
to the corner of the settee to rock and kiss it, to smooth and caress
it with restless little hands.

Tottie sidled over to Hull, lowering her voice against the child's
overhearing her. "Y' know what _I_ think?" she demanded.

"What?"

"I think the pair of 'em is in j-a-l-e,"--she spelled the word behind a
guarding hand.

Hull ignored the assertion. "Where is Miss Crosby singing today?" he
asked curtly.

Tottie went back to the hearth. "Search me," she declared. "It looks
like your future bride, Mr. Hull, don't tell nobody nothin'. What's
_your_ news?"

Barbara had settled down, Lolly-Poppins in the clasp of both arms. She
crooned to the doll, her eyes closed.

"Oh, I haven't any," answered Hull. Then more cordially, "But I got a
raise today."

"Grand! The Northrups, ain't it?"

"Chemists," said Hull, going to look out of the window.

"Well, money's your friend," declared Tottie, philosophically. "Me for