ood land, Zoeth!" he exclaimed. "Be careful what
you're sayin'."

"I ain't sayin' anything definite, Shadrach. I know how you feel about
it. I just wanted to see how she felt herself, that's all. Think you'd
like that, Mary-'Gusta?"

Mary-'Gusta thought it over. "I guess maybe I would," she said, "if
I could take my dolls and David. I wouldn't want to leave David. Mrs.
Hobbs don't like cats."

And at that moment Mrs. Hobbs herself appeared in the doorway of the
carriage room. She saw the child and her eyes snapped.

"So she was here," she said. "I thought as much. Mary-'Gusta, what did
you run away from that room for? Didn't I forbid you leavin' it? She's
been a bad girl, Judge Baxter," she added, "and I can't make her behave.
I try my best, but I'm sure I don't know what to do."

Captain Shadrach thrust both hands into his pockets.

"I tell you what to do," he said, sharply. "You go into the house and
put some of her things into a valise or satchel or somethin'. And hurry
up as fast as you can."

Mrs. Hobbs was astonished.

"Put 'em in a satchel?" she repeated. "What for? Where's she goin'?"

"She's goin' home along with me and Zoeth. And she's got to start inside
of half an hour. You hurry."

"But--but--"

"There ain't any 'buts'; haven't got time for 'em."

Mr. Hamilton regarded his friend with an odd expression.

"Shadrach," he asked, "do you realize what you're sayin'?"

"Who's sayin'? You said it, I didn't. Besides takin' her home with us
today don't mean nothin', does it? A visit won't hurt us. Visits don't
bind anybody to anything. Jumpin' Judas! I guess we've got room enough
in the house to have one young-one come visitin' for--for a couple of
days, if we want to. What are you makin' such a fuss about? Here
you," turning to the housekeeper, "ain't you gone yet? You've got just
thirteen minutes to get that satchel ready."

Mrs. Hobbs departed, outraged dignity in her walk and manner.

"Am--am I goin'?" faltered Mary-'Gusta.

Zoeth nodded.

"Yes," he said, "you're goin'. Unless, of course, you'd rather stay
here."

"No, I'd rather go, if--if I can take David and the dolls. Can I?"

"Can she, Shadrach?"

Captain Shad, who was pacing the floor, turned savagely.

"What do you ask me that for?" he demanded. "This is your doin's,
'tain't mine. You said it first, didn't you? Yes, yes, let her take the
dolls and cats--and cows and pigs, too, if she wants to. Jumpin' fire!
What do I care? If