"Well, Pat," he said--Pat was his pet name for her, used only under stress--"well, Pat, if you must have it, then here goes. I'm only out, for this vacation, on bail. I've got to--" "Wh-what?" asked Patty faintly. Her heart was playing mad pranks and she put up her hand to steady it. At least, that seemed to be her idea. "What was that you said, Charlie? Oh, Charlie, dear!" "Bail" and "jail" sound very much alike. They conveyed about the same idea to poor Patty. Under certain circumstances, they convey about the same idea to the one most intimately concerned. Charlie did not appear to be affected. "I've got to show up day after to-morrow or forfeit my bail," he continued unfeelingly. "Well," he said doggedly, "I will. I may have to go to jail, but what of it?" "Oh, Charlie, dear!" Patty cried, more faintly than before. "Oh, Charlie, dear! Whatever have you done that you should talk of going to--to--Charlie, I feel faint. My salts, dear," she said hurriedly. "They are on the top of my bureau, in that green bottle." "Charlie dear" obediently got the little green bottle, stifling a smile which would curl the corners of his mouth, in spite of himself, while his back was turned to Patty. When he came back to her he looked properly concerned; but Patty's eyes were closed. He removed the stopper and held the bottle close under her nose, to revive her, which happy event occurred with a suddenness that was a surprise to Patty, at least. She gasped and gave a little choking cry. "Oh, Charlie! Not so cl-close." "All right now, Pat?" he asked with a cheerfulness that was evidently assumed. He removed the bottle and put in the stopper. "I--I think so," she replied, still faintly. "Now--go--on, Charlie. Tell me. I think I can bear it. I'll try to." "Why," said Charlie, "there's nothing to tell. I got bail so that I could come home for my Easter vacation. Time's up day after to-morrow, and I've got to show up or forfeit my bail." "Who is the--the bailer?" Patty inquired as if it were her last breath. "One of the other men," Charlie returned glibly. "He isn't really rich either, so he couldn't very well afford to have me jump it." "Jump it?" Patty repeated. She was getting pretty well dazed. "Yes," said Charlie impatiently. "Haven't you ever heard that expression? It's the legal expression for failing to show up and forfeiting your bail. If I should jump it, that other man would have to pay the amount of my bail." "Ho-how much is it?" Patty asked in a trembling voice. Charlie made a rapid mental calculation. "One thousand dollars," he said. "One thousand dollars!" repeated poor Patty slowly. "One thou--but, Charlie," for a gleam of light had come to her,--"but, Charlie, what is it for? What ha-have you done? Oh, it is too terrible!" "I haven't done much of anything, really," Charlie protested; "nothing worth mentioning if we hadn't had an accident." "An accident!" Patty murmured.