"Yes, but he _will!_" said Mickey positively. "Mickey, what if he should come, an' wouldn't even _look_ at my back?" she pursued. "Why, he'd be _glad_ to!" cried Mickey. "Don't be silly. Give the man some chance!" CHAPTER IX _James Jr. and Malcolm_ Nellie Minturn returned to her room too dazed to realize her suffering. She had intended doing something; the fringed orchids reminded her. She rang for water to put them in, while her maid with shaking fingers dressed her, then ordered the car. The girl understood that some terrible thing had happened and offered to go with the woman who moved so mechanically she proved she scarcely knew what she was doing. "No," said Mrs. Minturn. "No, the little soul has been out there a long time alone, her mother had better go alone and see how it is." She entered the car, gave her order and sank back against the seat. When the car stopped, she descended and found the gates guarding the doors of the onyx vault locked. She pushed her flowers between the bars, dropping them before the doors, then wearily sank on the first step, leaning her head against the gate, trying to think, but she could not. Near dawn her driver spoke to her. "It's almost morning," he said. "You've barely time to reach home before the city will be stirring." She paid no attention, so at last he touched her. "You, Weston?" she asked. "Yes, Madam," he said. "I'm afraid for you. I ventured to come closer than you said. Excuse me." "Thank you Weston," she answered. "Let me drive you home now, Madam," he begged. "Just where would you take me if you were taking me home, Weston?" "Where we came from," he replied. "Do you think that has ever been a home, Weston?" "I have thought it the finest home in Multiopolis, Madam," said the driver in surprise. She laughed bitterly. "So have I, Weston. And to-day I have learned what it really is. Help me, Weston! Take me back to the home of my making." When he rang for her, she gave him an order: "Find Mr. John Haynes and bring him here immediately." "Bring him now, Madam?" he questioned. "Immediately, I said," she repeated. "I will try, Madam," said Weston. "You will bring him at once if he is in Multiopolis," she said with finality. Weston knew that John Haynes was her lawyer; he had brought him from his residence or office at her order many times; he brought him again. At once John Haynes dismissed all the servants in the Minturn household, arranged everything necessary, and saw Mrs. Minturn aboard a train in company with a new maid of his selection; then he mailed a deed of gift of the Minturn residence to the city of Multiopolis for an endowed Children's Hospital. The morning papers briefly announced the departure and the gift. At his breakfast table James Minturn read both items, then sat in deep thought.