Gordon and his aunt both sensed the defense in the girl’s argument. Gordon thought he had won in spite of his aunt, already. The girl’s fine grain was lost on him entirely. But not on the woman. She felt that the Fairy Foundling would champion and mother the most foul-souled criminal that ever drew breath. It was her heritage and her danger. “Gordon,” the woman propounded in an iron voice, “my daughter is of different caliber than the girls you’ve been meeting, whether you’ve been in military school or not. So you keep in mind that you’re a young gentleman or—or—God help you!” The boy pulled a daffodil from a near-by bowl and tore it to pieces angrily. “I guess I know class when I see it,” he grumbled. This was so raw and rude that even Madelaine paled. But she recovered herself and laughed. “You know what I said about some of the children when they first came to the Home, mother dear? Well—let’s all try—to get—better acquainted.” IV At five o’clock the following afternoon, while Madelaine was dressing for dinner, Gracia entered her room and passed through to her daughter’s. She dismissed the maid and closed the door. “I’ve just had an answer to my cable,” she announced. “Amos and Margaret are not coming back until spring. Amos is asking as a special favor that I keep Gordon here and look after him until he gets back and can deal with him.” “But what of that, mother? I’m sure——” “I’m sure that young barbarian will succeed in ingratiating himself into your sympathies, Madelaine. Make you believe he’s not the thing he emphatically is. I can’t very well deny Margaret’s boy the shelter of my home. But I can and shall deny him propinquity with my daughter. Madelaine, please take it kindly and believe it hurts me far more than it does yourself. But I’m going to send you away—to school.” It was the girl’s turn to struggle with self for a moment. Then in even voice she replied quietly: “Of course, I’ll do whatever pleases you, mother dear. For after all, you know, I’m indebted to you more than I can ever repay.” Mrs. Theddon uttered a little cry. “No, no! Madelaine! Don’t take it that way! You’re not a helpless mercenary—you weren’t bought——” She stopped. The misery on the girl’s face was unmistakable. “Wasn’t I, mother dear? I thought I was—for a thousand dollars——” “Madelaine! How did you know? Who told you——?” “I happened to be hiding, unintentionally, in Miss Howland’s office that day. I heard everything. And there’s not been one day since, when I’ve heard you tear a check from your check book, but what I’ve remembered why and how I’m—here! Why did you do it? Oh, mother dear? Why did you?” “My God!” cried the woman. “Madelaine, I never dreamed you knew! Or if you did, I thought you too little for it to make any difference. Sometimes I’ve wondered if you’re not really a woman even older and wiser than myself—merely using a young girl’s body.”