likes Mama," put in Marjorie. "She's asked around
everywhere."

"Yes, yes, I've no doubt," says he. "As I remember her, she was rather
a--but we won't go into that. Did you come to consult me about
anything in particular?"

"No indeed," says Marjorie. "But you've been so good to bother about
our affairs, and you've done such wonders with the little property poor
Dad left, that we thought, as we were so near, we ought to----"

"We wanted," breaks in Dudley, "to call and thank you personally for
your kindness. You have been awfully kind, Sir."

"Think so, do you?" says Mr. Ellins. "Well, is that all?"

"Yes," says Marjorie; "only--only--oh, Dud, I'm going to do it!" And
with that she makes a rush, lets out a giggle or two, grabs Old Hickory
in a perfectly good hug, and kisses him twice on his bald spot.

He don't even have a chance to struggle, and before he can get out a
word it's all over and she has backed off, givin' him the full benefit
of one of them twisty smiles. I was lookin' for him to blow up for
fair at that. He don't though.

"There, there!" says he. "Not in the least necessary, you know. But
if it was something you had to get out of your system, all right. So
you've been visiting, eh? Now, what?"

"Why, Marjorie's going back to her school, Sir," says Dudley, "and I to
college."

"Before the holidays are over?" says Mr. Ellins.

"Oh, we don't mind," says Marjorie. "We don't want to go home and open
up the house; for we should miss Mother so much."

"Suppose you finish out your vacation with us, then?" suggests Old
Hickory.

"Oh, thank you, Sir," says Dudley; "but we----"

"Mother wrote us, you see," breaks in Marjorie, "that we mustn't think
of bothering you another bit."

"Who says you're a bother?" he demands. "At this time of year I like
to have young folks around--if they're the right kind."

"But I'm not sure we are the right kind," says Marjorie. "I--I'm not
very serious, you know; and Dud's apt to be noisy. He thinks he can
sing."

At which Dudley gets fussed and Old Hickory chuckles.

"I'll take a chance," says Mr. Ellins. "If I'm to be your guardian, I
ought to know you better. So you two trot right up to the house and
prepare to stay the week out. Here, Torchy! 'Phone for the limousine.
No, not a word, young woman! I haven't time to discuss it. Clear out,
both of you! See you at dinner."

"There!" says Marjorie as a partin' shot. "I just knew you were