"I should think she already had enough to do," suggested Kenneth. Here Mrs. Murphy, suddenly realizing that certain amenities had been omitted, blurted out: "This is my son, Joseph Young; my daughter, Mandy Young you've knowed already; my son Samuel Young, my son Jacob Black, yer've knowed at school, 'n' my daughter Kate Black, 'n' Brigham Murphy, aged six, 'n' Kathleen, aged four, 'n' Nora, aged two." Mrs. Murphy paused. Samuel at once took the floor. "We've knowed _you_ ever sence you come. They call you the angel o' the Gila." He seemed to swell with importance. "A queer name, isn't it?" said Esther. Samuel had combed his hair, and wore a clean shirt in honor of the occasion. "Miss Bright," said Kenneth, "I am fearful lest you _have_ been injured by the fall. Let me take you home." This she would not listen to. "Then let me call for you later in the evening and take you back with me. There may be something Mrs. Clayton can do for you." But there was a chorus of protests. Mrs. Murphy gave it as her opinion that the schoolma'am knew her own feelin's best; and it wasn't often they had comp'ny, goodness knows, especially comp'ny from back East. And Mr. Hastings should leave her be. Esther poured oil on the troubled waters; and Mrs. Murphy became so mollified she pressed Kenneth to stay to supper. At this juncture Patrick Senior's step was heard. "Good avenin'," he said, heartily, making a queer little bow. "It's proud I am ter welcome yez ter me home." He did not take off his hat nor remove the pipe from his mouth. Esther rose. "Kape y'r sate, Miss, kape y'r sate," he said, making a sweeping gesture. Then he gripped her hand. "An' Mr. Hastings! It's honored Oi am ter have yez enter me humble home." "He's goin' to stay to supper, Pop," said one of the little boys. Kenneth hastened to excuse himself, but Patrick would have none of it. Mr. Hastings must stay, and share the fatted calf. Kenneth laughed. "Which is the prodigal?" asked he, smiling towards Esther. "The prodigal? the prodigal?" repeated Mrs. Murphy mystified, and half resentful at Kenneth's smiles. "Oh, that's a Bible story, Mrs. Murphy," explained Esther. "A rich man had two sons. One son spent all he had in riotous living. When he finally repented and came back home to his father's house, they were very happy to see him and made a great feast for him. For this purpose they killed their fatted calf." "I see," said Mrs. Murphy with great dignity. "An' sence we are happy to see yer and have killed our fatted hens fur yer, we'll just call yer the Prodigal." "I always knew you were prodigal of your strength and talent," Kenneth said merrily. "Prodigal. That's a good name for you. That was a happy thought of yours, Mrs. Murphy." Mrs. Murphy still looked mystified.