"Mayn't I go along?" She asked the question of Theodore, and realized instantly that he did not want her. Jinnie came forward impetuously. "Oh, do come, Miss Merriweather! It'll be so nice." And Molly hated the girl more cordially than ever. On arriving home Jinnie beamed out her happiness to the cobbler and his wife. "And the fiddle, Peggy, they loved the fiddle," she told the woman. "Did you make it, Jinnie?" asked Peggy gruffly. "What, the fiddle?" demanded Jinnie. Peggy nodded. "No," faltered Jinnie in surprise. "Then don't brag about it," warned Peggy. "If you'd a glued them boards together, it'd a been something, but as long as you didn't, it ain't no credit to you." Lafe laughed, and Jinnie, too, uttered a low, rueful sound. How funny Peg was! And when Mrs. Grandoken had gone to prepare for the night, Lafe insisted that Jinnie tell him over and over all the happenings of the evening. For a long time afterwards she sat dreaming, reminiscing in sweet fancy every word and smile Theodore had given her. CHAPTER XXVII "HAVEN'T YOU ANY SOUL?" Whenever Molly Merriweather was mentioned to Theodore King, that young man felt a twinge in his conscience. His mother had taken him gently to task. Out of respect for Molly's wishes she refrained from speaking of the girl's affection for him, but cautioned him to be careful not to offend her companion. "She's very sensitive, you know, Theodore dear, and very good to me. I really don't know what I'd do without her." "I was thoughtless!... I'll do better, mother mine," he smiled. "I'll go to her now and tell her so." Theodore found Molly writing a letter in the library. He sank into an easy chair and yawned good-naturedly. The woman was still furious with him, so merely lifted her eyes at his entrance, and went on writing. Theodore was quiet for a few moments, then with a laugh went to the desk and took the pen forcibly from Molly's hand. "Come and make up," he said. "Have we anything to make up?" she asked languidly, keeping her eyes on the paper. "Of course we have. You know very well, Molly, you're angry with me.... Now mother says----" She caught his bantering tone, and resenting it, drew her fingers away haughtily. "You learn good manners from your mother, it seems." Her tone was insolent and angered him. Theodore returned quickly to his chair. "No, I don't," he denied. "You know I don't! But before you asked me to go with you Saturday, I told you I had an appointment----" "Yes, and you told me who it was with, too," Molly thrust back in his teeth. "Exactly, because there's no reason why I shouldn't. I've taken an extreme interest in the little girl.... You offended me by talking against her." Molly's temper was rising by the minute. She had armored herself with a statement, the truth of which she would force upon him. "I'm not sure I said anything that wasn't true," she returned discourteously. Theodore leaned back in his chair.