“Well, it’s a sort of special time, now that Nannie’s here.” John’s tone was half apologetic yet showed a tinge of irritation. His gaze kept wandering toward the living room. “We can’t make her stick in the house all the time, and never give her any little pleasures. I’ve only bought her flowers once or twice, anyway.” “Yes, John, but Mamma may stay a long while. We can’t go on this way,” said Lucy gravely. Nannie appeared in the doorway. “Can’t go on what way?” she echoed interrogatively, smiling at John. “Oh, Lucy is having her monthly fret over money matters,” John explained with uneasy lightness. “She has us in the poor house about once in so often.” “What’s the matter, John? Is your business going badly?” Nannie inquired. “Well, no worse than usual, Nannie, but it’s a small business and doesn’t bring us in as much as we’d like.” “Mr. Sprague is a full partner with you, isn’t he?” “Yes, but he’s a bachelor, and a half interest is enough for him to be comfortable on.” “Jim gave John our interest in the business,” put in Lucy. “Well, I’m sure he was thinking of his own good when he did so,” commented Nannie. “He probably had to have somebody.” “Of course,” agreed Lucy hastily. “He needed a partner and was glad to get John.” “Exactly. He knew what he was about,” averred Nannie. “Mr. Sprague is not the kind of a man to lose anything on account of friendship.” “Jim is very loyal,” put in Lucy again, “and has been a good friend to John.” “I didn’t say he wasn’t loyal, Lucy. I only said he knew which side his bread was buttered on,” retorted Nannie. “Well, you implied that he was thinking only of himself, Mamma, and Jim is not a selfish man.” “I guess I’ve not been a bad investment for the firm,” interrupted John, “even if I didn’t put any money into it at the first.” “Well, I should fancy not!” Nannie applauded quickly. “Of course not, John. That isn’t what I meant at all,” added Lucy. “Jim himself has said a dozen times that he couldn’t have gotten along without you. But I was just objecting to the idea that Jim had exploited you for his own interest without considering ours.” “Lucy is always ready to defend Mr. Sprague,” remarked Nannie, smiling at John once more. “She’s loyal even if the rest of us may not be.” John regarded Lucy an instant, then lowered his eyes. “No, Mamma! That isn’t it,” said Lucy, flushing, “but I do so like to be just to everybody.” “Well, are John and I unjust to Mr. Sprague?” continued Nannie. “John hasn’t been, but I thought what you said was,” reiterated Lucy steadily. “Nannie didn’t say any more than I did,” insisted John aggressively. “I guess Jim doesn’t need our sympathy over having gotten me for a partner.” “Why, John, how can you think I meant such a thing?” Lucy’s voice showed that she was hurt. “Oh, well, let’s not think about it, as Lucy is always saying,” suggested Nannie sweetly.