"That made him jump, but he didn't say or do anything, so I got up and went--and--the same woman was in the park with the same boys yesterday, and they're the biggest little devils there. What's the answer?" "A heartbroken man," said Douglas Bruce. "Now let me tell you, Mickey." Then he told Mickey all he knew of James Minturn. "All the same, he ought to be able to do something for his own kids, 'stead of boys who don't need it _half_ so bad," commented Mickey. "Why honest, I don't know one street kid so low that he'd kick a little girl--after she'd been beat up scandalous, for his meanness to start on. Honest, I don't! I don't care what he is doing for the boy he has got, that boy doesn't need help half so much as his _own_; I can prove it to you, if you'll come with me to the park 'most any morning." "All right, I'll come," said Douglas promptly. "Well I couldn't say that they would be there this minute," said Mickey, "but I can call you up the first time I see they are." "All right, I'll come, if it's possible. I'd like to see for myself. So this gives you a settled prejudice against the Big Brother movement, Mickey?" "In my brogans, what would it give you?" "A hard jolt!" said Douglas emphatically. "Then what's the answer?" "That it is more unfair than I thought you could be, to deprive me of my Little Brother, because you deem the man across the hall unfit to have one. Do I look as if you couldn't trust me, Mickey?" "No, you don't! But neither does Mr. James Minturn. He _looks_ as if a fellow could get a grip on him and pull safe across Belgium hanging on. But you know I said the _same woman_----" "I know Mickey; but that only proves that there are times when even the strongest man can't help himself." "Then like Ulhan I'd trot 1:54-1/2 to the judge of the Juvenile Court," said Mickey, "and I'd yell long and loud, and I'd put up the _proof_. That would get the lady down to brass tacks. See?" "But with Mrs. Minturn's position and the stain such a proceeding would put on the boys----" "Cut out the boys," advised Mickey. "They're gold plated, staining wouldn't stick to them." "So you are going to refuse education, employment and a respectable position because you disapprove of one man among millions?" demanded Douglas. "That lets me out," said Mickey. "_She_ educated me a lot! No day is long enough for the work I do right now; you can take my word for it that I'm respectable, same as I'm taking yours that you are." "All right!" said Douglas. "We will let it go then. Maybe you are right. At least you are not worth the bother it requires to wake you up. Will you take an answer to the note you brought me?" "Now the returns are coming in," said Mickey. "Sure I will; but she is in the big stores shopping." "I'll find out," said Douglas. He picked up the telephone and called the Winton residence; on learning Leslie was still away, he left a request that she call him when she returned.