Briggs shook his head. “That’s a great temptation. I need the money bad enough.” “Well, then, take the case,” Burrell exclaimed. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, do take it, Mr. Briggs!” Mrs. Burrell interposed. “Father says if it was only in your hands he wouldn’t worry. Then we’d have some peace in the family.” Briggs looked amused. Secretly he enjoyed the flattery of the old lady’s words. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll take it----” “Oh, good!” the girls cried, together. “--if I’m beaten at the next election.” The girls looked at each other with disappointment in their eyes. “Oh!” they said. Briggs put his hand on Burrell’s shoulder. “Can you wait?” “Well, the case don’t come on till December,” Burrell replied. “I guess I could wait all right, only the’ ain’t no chance of you gettin’ beaten.” “Well, I guess we don’t want you to be beaten, Mr. Briggs,” Mrs. Burrell cried, resentfully. “You’re forgettin’ your manners, father.” “Oh, that’s all right,” Briggs exclaimed, patting Burrell on the back. “No harm done, Mrs. Burrell. This husband of yours overrates me, that’s all. There are hundreds of men right here in New York who could handle that case better than I could.” He took the old man affectionately by the arm. “Look here, Burrell,” he said, confidentially, “don’t you think we’re in the way of these ladies? They probably have a lot to talk about that they don’t want us to hear.” Burrell understood at once. “I was thinkin’ of that myself,” he replied. Mrs. Burrell held up three fingers. “Now, father,” she cried, “you know all you’ve had already.” “My dear lady, don’t you be disagreeable,” said Briggs, smiling. “I haven’t seen your husband for six months.” Mrs. Burrell softened. “Well, just one, father, and put plenty of soda-water in it.” Briggs nodded his acknowledgment of the concession. “There! Come on, Burrell.” As the two men left the room Mrs. Burrell exclaimed: “I declare, Mrs. Briggs, that husband of yours can just twirl me round his little finger.” “Come over here and sit down, Mrs. Burrell,” Helen said. “You have something to tell me, haven’t you? I can see it in your face.” Mrs. Burrell beamed. “I guess you can see it in Carrie Cora’s face. Eh, girls?” “I should think so!” Emeline and Gladys cried together. “It’s true, then? There is something?” Helen asked. Carrie Cora’s face flushed violently. “Yes,” the girl replied, lifting her gloved hand to her forehead. “Don’t be a ninny, Carrie Cora!” Mrs. Burrell exclaimed. Helen held out her hand. “It’s all settled?” she asked. Carrie Cora looked up shyly. “Yes.” Then she cast her eyes down again. “I’m so glad, dear,” said Helen, bending forward and kissing her.