"Well," said Dr. Lavendar; "I wouldn't judge; but--I'd trust my instincts." William grinned; then he sighed. "I won't tell Mrs. Richie about seeing him. She'd be mortified at his behavior. If she knew as much of the wickedness of the world as we do, she might even be suspicious! But, thank God, she's not that kind of a woman. I don't like worldly-wise ladies." Dr. Lavendar nodded. "Black sheep can pull the wool over people's eyes better than white ones can. Do you know, one reason why I hesitated about letting her have David, was just because I didn't take to her brother? For that matter, David doesn't take to him either;--and Danny can't abide him. And William, I have a great respect for the judgment of my betters in such matters! Yes; I almost kept the little monkey myself; but I suppose it's better for him to be with a woman?" "Of course it is," said William King, and Dr. Lavendar's face fell. "I think she wants to adopt him," William added. Dr. Lavendar shook his head. "I haven't made up my mind about that yet. Not only because of the brother;--he comes so rarely he doesn't count. But I want to make sure she can be trusted to bring a child up." "I don't think there could be a better person," the doctor declared, warmly. "She has a lovely nature." "A pretty creature," Dr. Lavendar ruminated; "Martha fond of her?" "Oh, yes indeed," William said enthusiastically;--"at least, I don't know that I ever happened to hear her speak of it; but of course she is. Nobody could help it. She is a sweet woman, as you say." "Well," said Dr. Lavendar, "get Martha to be neighborly with her. She needs neighboring. And Martha could teach her so many things--she's such a sensible woman." "Yes; Martha is sensible," William agreed. "Dr. Lavendar, did you ever notice how, when she laughs, she has a way of putting her hands on the top of her head, and sort of drawing them down over her eyes like a girl? It's as pretty!" Dr. Lavendar tried to remember. "Why, no," he said; "I don't know that I ever noticed it. Martha doesn't laugh very often." "Martha?" William repeated puzzled. "Oh--I was speaking of Mrs. Richie." "Oh," said Dr. Lavendar. CHAPTER XV