Larry did not reply. He was manufacturing tears, and presently, to Peneluna's amazement, they glistened on his cheeks. "I wonder"--Larry's voice trembled--"I wonder if I can speak openly to you, Mrs.--Mrs. Sniff? You were in my father's house; he trusted you. I do not seem to have any one but you at this crisis." Peneluna sneezed. She had a terrible habit of sneezing at will--it was positively shocking. "I guess there ain't any reason for you not speaking out your ideas to me," she said cautiously. "I ain't much of a fount of wisdom, but I ain't a babbling brook, neither." She was thinking that it would be safer to handle Rivers than to let others use him, and she knew something of the trouble at the yellow house. Jan-an had regaled her with some rare tidbits. "Peneluna, Mary-Clare and I have had some words; I've left home." There was no answer to this. Larry moistened his lips and went on: "Perhaps Mary-Clare has told you?" "No, she ain't blabbed none." This was disconcerting. "She wouldn't, and I am not going to, either. It's just a misunderstanding, Mrs. Sniff. I could go away and let it rest there, but I fear I've been away too much and things have got snarled. Mary-Clare doesn't rightly see things." "Yes she does, Larry Rivers! She's terrible seeing." Peneluna's eyes flashed. "All right then, Mrs. Sniff. _I want her to see!_ I want her to see me here, looking after her interests. I cannot explain; you'll all know soon enough. Danger's threatening and I'm going to be on the spot! You've all got a wrong line on Maclin, so he's side-stepped and listened to me at last; I'm going to show up this man Northrup who is hanging round. I want to hire your house, Mrs. Sniff, and live on here until----" Peneluna sneezed lustily; it made Larry wince. "Until Mary-Clare turns you out?" she asked harshly. "And gets talked about for doing it--or lets you stay on reflecting upon her what can't tell her side? Larry Rivers, you always was a thorn in your good father's side and I reckon you've been one in Mary-Clare's." Larry winced again and recalled sharply the old vacations and this woman's silent attitude toward him. It all came back clearly. He could always cajole Aunt Polly Heathcote, but Peneluna had explained her attitude toward him in the past by briefly stating that she "internally and eternally hated boys." "You're hard on me, Mrs. Sniff. You'll be sorry some day." "Then I'll be sorry!" Peneluna sneezed. Presently her mood, however, changed. She regarded Larry with new interest. "How much will you give me for my place?" Peneluna leaned forward suddenly and quite took Larry off his guard. He had succeeded so unexpectedly that it had the effect of shock. "Five dollars a month, Mrs. Sniff." "I'm wanting ten." This was a staggering demand. "How bad does he want it?" Peneluna was thinking. "How far had I best give in?" Larry estimated. "Make it seven," he ventured.