第6章 A CHEERFUL PRODIGAL(3)

Her round face shone delightedly as she regarded him.There was a maternal note of rebuke in her voice as she spoke:

"Why, we didn't expect you back for two or three months yet."Once again, Dick laughed, with an infectious gaiety that brought a smile of response to the secretary's lips.

"Sadie," he explained confidentially, "don't you dare ever to let the old man know.He would be all swollen up.It's bad to let a parent swell up.But the truth is, Sadie, I got kind of homesick for Dad--yes, just that!" He spoke the words with a sort of shamefaced wonder.It is not easy for an Anglo-Saxon to confess the realities of affection in vital intimacies.He repeated the phrase in a curiously appreciative hesitation, as one astounded by his own emotion."Yes, homesick for Dad!"Then, to cover an excess of sincere feeling, he continued, with a burst of laughter:

"Besides, Sadie, I was broke."

The secretary sniffed.

"The cable would have handled that end of it, I guess," she said, succinctly.

There was no word of contradiction from Dick, who, from ample experience, knew that any demand for funds would have received answer from the father.

"But what is Dad doing in court?" he demanded.

Sarah explained the matter with her usual conciseness:

"One of the girls was arrested for stealing."The nature of the son was shown then clearly in one of its best aspects.At once, he exhibited his instinct toward the quality of mercy, and, too, his trust in the father whom he loved, by his eager comment.

"And Dad went to court to get her out of the scrape.That's just like the old man!"Sarah, however, showed no hint of enthusiasm.Her mind was ever of the prosaic sort, little prone to flights.In that prosaic quality, was to be found the explanation of her dependability as a private secretary.So, now, she merely made a terse statement.

"She was tried to-day, and convicted.The judge sent for Mr.

Gilder to come down this morning and have a talk with him about the sentence."There was no lessening of the expression of certainty on the young man's face.He loved his father, and he trusted where he loved.

"It will be all right," he declared, in a tone of entire conviction."Dad's heart is as big as a barrel.He'll get her off."Then, of a sudden, Dick gave a violent start.He added a convincing groan.

"Oh, Lord!" he exclaimed, dismally.There was shame in his voice."I forgot all about it!"The secretary regarded him with an expression of amazement.

"All about what?" she questioned.

Dick assumed an air vastly more confidential than at any time hitherto.He leaned toward the secretary's desk, and spoke with a new seriousness of manner:

"Sadie, have you any money? I'm broker My taxi' has been waiting outside all this time.""Why, yes," the secretary said, cheerfully."If you will----"Dick was discreet enough to turn his attention to a picture on the wall opposite while Sarah went through those acrobatic performances obligatory on women who take no chances of losing money by carrying it in purses.

"There!" she called after a few panting seconds, and exhibited a flushed face.

Dick turned eagerly and seized the banknote offered him.

"Mighty much obliged, Sadie," he said, enthusiastically."But Imust run.Otherwise, this wouldn't be enough for the fare!" And, so saying, he darted out of the room.