“I fixed it,” she said hastily. “He will wait and let me pay him as I can. I told him you were my son, Freeman. Please don't say much if he quizzes you.” “I won't,” Freeman said, “but you might just let me know who my father was and where the dear old chap died. A son ought to know that.” “Don't be funny; I can't bear it,” Henrietta begged. “I told him your father was Billy Vane. He is a drunken brute and he is not dead. He is in Colorado.” Freeman gave her the first admiring glance he had bestowed on her for many days. “Et, you'll do,” he said. “I'm almost proud to be a son of such a mother. You sure are a fixer.” “Please, don't be funny,” she begged again. “It is not ended yet. I still have the money to pay. I don't suppose I can expect you to help? Even a little, Freeman?” “Not a bit, mother dear,” he said and turned to wait on two girls who had just entered. At the boarding-house Henrietta learned that Lem was still sleeping and that Judge Bruce had postponed the trial of Saint Harvey of Riverbank and had sent him to the lock-up to await Lem's recovery. Henrietta ran up to see how Lem was faring, stopped in her own room to freshen herself, and then hurried down. Lorna had not reached the house yet, but Gay had come over. Henrietta embraced her gayly. “You dear!” she said. “I just want you. I'm going over to see Judge Bruce about Lem and I want you to go with me. It will be like taking him a rose moist with dew. I can't imagine how you ever manage to come from a day of teaching so bright and beaming.” Gay did not tell her that she had stopped at Alberson's for a soda and that Freeman had been, for him, unusually nice and politely lover-like. “And how is Miss Susan?” Gay asked. “About Lem, I mean. How does she feel toward him?” “Still sour,” Henrietta said. “That's one trouble with such _good_ good women. They are hard on mortals. Come.” They went across the street and down past Gay's home to the Bruce house. The old justice of the peace had not reached home yet, but he was expected, his wife said, and Carter Bruce came out on the porch. “'Lo, Gay; 'lo, Miss Henrietta,” he greeted them. “How's things?” “Fine,” Henrietta answered for them both. “And, oh, Bruce! You're a lawyer, you can tell us what to do. About Lem, Miss Redding's nephew--you know about him?” “Mostly. I was in dad's court when he held old Harve.” “Well, then--” said Henrietta and hesitated momentarily. “Listen, Bruce, I know something about it. May I tell you? I can tell a lawyer, in confidence, can't I?” “You can tell this lawyer in confidence,” said Bruce. “I 'll take Lem's case if you want me to--free of charge--if that is it.” “Then--you don't mind if I whisper to him, Gay?” “Don't mind me,” said Gay, laughing. Henrietta drew Carter Bruce to the far end of the porch.