“We couldn’t ever pay it back. There’s no use!” And she held it out to Marjorie.

“Nonsense!” said Marjorie. “You are my family, aren’t you? It’s my mother who is cold, isn’t it?”

“After all these years? You staying away and never sending us any word? No! You’re adopted and belong to that other woman, and it’s her money, not ours. We can’t take it!”

“Look here!” said Marjorie, her own eyes flashing now till they resembled her sister’s even more strongly than at first. “I didn’t ask to be adopted, did I? I didn’t have any choice in the matter, did I? I was adopted before I knew what was going on, and I didn’t know anything about you. You have no right to blame me that way! I couldn’t help what was done to me when I was a baby! If she had happened to adopt you, you probably would have been just what I’ve been. But I came to you just as soon as I found out, didn’t I? And I want you to know that I’m here, and I’m going to stay, and I’m going to help just as much as if I’d been here all the time. And as for the money, it’s mine, not hers. She left it to me, and she said in the letter I was to use it in any way I pleased. She even seemed to feel that she would like me to come and find you. But anyway I’m here, and I’m going to stay, and please don’t let’s waste any more time. It is awfully cold here!”

Then suddenly the other girl jumped up and flung Marjorie’s coat back to her.

“All right!” she said. “Put on your own coat. Maybe it’s all true. I don’t know. I’ve hated you and the Wetherills so long that I don’t know whether I can ever get over it or not, but I’ve got to try and save my mother’s life, even if it is with that other woman’s money!”

“But it isn’t her money now! It is mine! And I am going to look after my family. We are going to do it together! Quick! Tell me where to begin. Do I get to see my mother first or had we better have a fire? I guess the fire comes first, doesn’t it? Or you will be sick, too. Tell me where to go, and I’ll have the fixings here in short order.”

“It’s two blocks down and a block to the right. Brown’s Coal Yard. But there’s a bill for twenty-three dollars. They won’t send any coal till it’s paid. Here! Take back the money!”

She held out the roll of bills half reluctantly, looking at it with a sort of fierce wistfulness.

“No,” said Marjorie. “You keep that. I’ve more in my purse. You might have some need for it while I’m gone. But can’t you put something more around you? Your lips are blue with cold!”

“I’ll be all right! I’m used to it. I really ought to go myself, I suppose. Maybe you won’t be able to find your way. But I hate to leave Mother, if anything should happen.”

“Of course!” said Marjorie.