Hull frowned. "It makes my blood boil when I think how that precious pair have loaded the child onto Miss Crosby," he answered. "Pretty bony," agreed Tottie. "And she's so brave about it--so uncomplaining. Why, any other girl would have put her niece into an orphanage." The rooming-house keeper grinned. "Well, she did think of it," she said slyly. "But they turned her down. Y' see, Barbara--ain't a' orphan." Now Barbara lifted an eager face. "My mother's in Africa, and my father's in Africa," she boasted. "Out o' sight, pettie, out o' mind." Hull took one of the child's hands in both of his. "You've got a mighty fine auntie, little girl," he said with feeling. "Just the best auntie in the whole world." Barbara nodded. "And I love her," she answered, "best of everybody 'cept my mother." Tottie 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?"