"Leslie, you're a darling, but have you ever had even a small taste of poverty?" asked Douglas. "No! But I've always been curious, if I did have, to see if I couldn't so manage whatever might be my share, that it would appear to the world without that peculiar state of grime which always seems to distinguish it," said the girl. "I'm not afraid of poverty, and I'm not afraid of work; it's dishonour that would kill me. Daddy accepted obligations; if they involve him, which includes me also, then to the last cent we possess, we pay back." Mickey drew the duster he handled between vacuum days across a table and steadily watched first Douglas, then Leslie, both of whom had forgotten him. "That should be good enough for Daddy; what about me?" asked Douglas. "If ever I get in a close place, does the same hold good?" "If I know what you are doing, surely!" "I knew you were a 'Bearer of Morning' first time I saw you," said Douglas. "But we are forgetting Mickey." Mickey promptly stepped forward, putting away the duster to be ready for errands. "How are you this morning?" asked Douglas. "Fine!" answered Mickey. "I've taken my family to the country, too!" "Why Mickey! without saying a word!" cried Douglas. "Well it happened so fast," said Mickey, "and I didn't want to bother you when your head was so full of your old investigation and your own moving." "Did you hear that Leslie?" he asked. "Mickey dislikes my investigation as much as the man who comes out short is going to, any day now. So you've moved Peaches to the country? You should have told me, first." "I'm sorry if you don't like it," said Mickey. "You see my room was getting awful hot. I never was there days this time of year, and nights I slept on the fire-escape; all right for me, but it wouldn't do for Lily. Why should I have told you?" "Because Miss Winton had plans for her," explained Douglas. "She intended to take her to Atwater, and she even contemplated having her back examined for you." Mickey's eyes danced and over his face spread a slow grin of comprehension. "Well?" ejaculated Douglas. "Nothing!" said Mickey. "Well?" demanded Douglas. Mickey laughed outright. Then he sobered suddenly and spoke gravely, directly to Miss Winton. "Thank you for thinking of it, and planning for her," he said. "I was afraid you would." "Thank me for something you feared I would do! Mickey, aren't you getting things mixed?" "Thank you for thinking of Lily and wanting to help her," explained Mickey, "but she doesn't need you. She's mine and I'm going to keep her; so what I can do for her will have to be enough, until I can do better." "I see," said Leslie. "But suppose that she should have attention at once, that you can't give her, and I can?"