"What a shame! How could your father leave you in the power of such a woman?" "I can't tell, John. That is what puzzles me. But how much is the rent?" "Six dollars." "Have you got anything toward it?" "No. What money we have must go toward food." "Then I'll tell you what I'll do. I have some money in the savings bank. I'll go and draw out six dollars and lend it to you, but you mustn't let Mrs. Lane know where it came from." "You are awfully kind, Gerald; but I don't think we ought to accept your offer." "Why not? The money is mine." "Your stepmother might object." "I don't think she knows that I have any money in the bank; besides, it has always been mine to do what I pleased with. Father never interfered with it at any time." "Still, as you have no money left to you, you may need it." Gerald admitted to himself that this might very probably be true, but he felt that Mrs. Holman needed the money more than he did. "We won't worry about the future," he said. "At present you need the money and I don't." "I am afraid I shall have to accept the money for mother's sake." "That is right, John; come with me and I'll get it out." The savings bank was a small building on the main street. It was scarcely a quarter of a mile distant, and the two boys were soon inside. Gerald made out a check at a small table near the door and presented it to the paying teller. Gerald was a favorite with the bank officer, who said to him jocosely: "What are you drawing this money for? Are you going to get married?" "Not just yet, Mr. Barton, I am afraid my account isn't large enough for that." "It wouldn't last long, I am afraid, if you wanted it for that purpose. How will you have it?" "It doesn't matter. A five and a one will do." "Here it is." Gerald took the bills and went out into the street. "Here, John, take the money," he said, "I am glad it will help you." "It will relieve us very much. Mother has been worrying a good deal over our trouble. She didn't know where to go." Now it happened that Mrs. Lane, who was walking on the opposite side of the street, saw the two boys coming out of the bank. Her curiosity was aroused, and unseen by Gerald, she crossed over and entered the savings bank. "Mr. Barton," she said, "didn't I see Gerald come out of the bank just now with the Holman boy?" "Yes, Mrs. Lane." "What did he come in for?" Mr. Barton had never liked Mrs. Lane, and he wasn't pleased with her somewhat peremptory tone. "He came on business connected with the bank," he said briefly. "Oh, he did, did he? What business can he have here?" "You had better ask him." Mrs. Lane was provoked, but she saw that she could not browbeat the bank officer. "Mr. Barton," she said, "has Gerald any money in this bank?" "Yes." "Did he draw any this morning?" "Yes." "How much?" "I don't answer such questions in regard to our depositors." "Has he any left here?" "Yes."