ave done. That is the advantage of being a monkey. We have no
consciences to trouble us. I didn't envy his home-coming, either,
although I knew he would be glad enough to creep into his warm, soft
bed. His feet were badly blistered from his long tramp in his new
shoes.

Stuart looked after my comfort, and I was soon curled up snugly on a
cushion before the fire. Phil and Elsie had a hot bath, and hot bread
and milk, and were put to bed at once. Elsie was coughing at nearly
every breath, and the doctor seemed troubled when he came up to rub
some soothing lotion on the poor little swelled forehead. He brought
something for Phil's blistered feet, too, but he never spoke a word
all the time he was putting it on.

After it was done he stood looking at him very gravely. Then he said:
"Your little sister tells me that you took her out to dance and sing
in the streets to-day to earn money, in order that you may run away
from home. Is that so?"

"Yes, sir," answered Phil, in a very faint voice.

"So you are tired of your home," continued the doctor, "and think you
could find kinder treatment among strangers who care nothing for you.
I am sorry that my little son has come to such a conclusion. But if
you are determined to leave us, there is no necessity for you to slip
off like a thief in the night. Winter is coming on, and you will need
all your warm clothes. Better take time to pack them properly, and
collect whatever of your belongings you want to keep. I am very much
afraid that this day's work is going to make your little sister ill.
No doubt you will feel worse for it yourself, and will need a good
rest before starting out. Maybe you'd better wait until Monday, before
you turn your back for ever on your home and family."

The doctor waited a moment, but Phil made no answer. After waiting
another moment, still without a word from Phil, the doctor said, "Good
night, my son," and walked down-stairs into the library.

Now, I know well enough that, when we started out in the morning, Phil
was fully determined to run away from home, as soon as he could earn
enough money to take him. I couldn't understand what had changed his
mind so completely. You can imagine my surprise when he began to sob,
"Oh, papa! papa! You didn't kiss me good night and you don't care a
bit if I run away! Oh, I don't want to go now! I don't _want_ to!"

It sounded so pitiful that I got up off my cushion and walked over to
the bed. All that I could