?'"

"Then he is in--jail?"

Camille nodded regretfully.

"I kinder thought maybe Mr. Dalton might get him out," was the next
remark in a despairing tone.

"I hope they will soon, Lucy, but it takes time. Have you been to see
him yet?"

"I?" Lucy started, and stared at her.

"Yes, you to be sure. He has been such a good friend of yours. Of course
they'll do all they can--Mr. Dalton and Joyce--but you know him so much
better he could tell you things he wouldn't them. Then, he must get
awfully lonely for his own friends. He suffers terribly over it all."

"But--but--you know what he's in jail for?"

"Of course. But nobody believes he is guilty. Miss Lavillotte says, and
so does every one, that it was just an accident."

"He was mad at pa, though, fearful mad!"

"Yes, he owns to that. But he had gotten control of himself. He simply
meant to shut him up where he could not harm you."

Lucy sighed.

"I wish I was sure. Nate never lied to me in his life. If he'd say it
solemn and true I'd believe it."

"Why don't you go to see him, then, and ask all about it?"

"Oh, I couldn't What would people say?"

She shrank back as if from a blow.

"Do you always stop to think about that?" asked Camille with contempt.
"Why don't you figure out what is really right and then go ahead? I do."

Lucy studied her a minute, then asked in return,

"Do you think it's right to care more for other folks than for your own
family?"

"I don't think it's natural, but, if you do, there must be something
wrong with the family. We generally like those nearest to us, if they'll
let us."

"Yes, that's so," said the other eagerly, as if new light were coming to
her.

"As far as family is concerned, though, I like Joyce Lavillotte better
than any cousin I have, almost better than my own sister, and she is no
relation at all."

"Isn't she?"

"Not the slightest. And my mother, I do believe, likes her better than
anybody in the world."

"Not better'n you--her own girl?"

"Just as well, I'm sure. And it's all right, too. I would not have it
otherwise. They say this Mr. Tierney has always been kindness itself to
you and the children; I should think you ought to love him just as well
as if he were your big brother."

"Do you think so--really?"

"I know it."

Something of perplexed sadness fell away from the child's face, and just
then the measured beat of young feet being marched through the halls
proclaimed that school was di