Page:Nid and Nod (IA nidnod00barb).pdf/244

 At supper Dr. Hillman asked the twins to come to his study, and there he produced a pink slip of paper from a desk drawer and handed it to Laurie. "My sister and I have wanted to help ever since we first learned of Miss Comfort's—ah—embarrassment, but have been somewhat at a loss to know how to do so. She is greatly averse to anything resembling charity, as you probably know. To-day we heard of your interest in the matter, Laurence, and of your—ah—ingenious solution of the lady's problem, and it occurred to us that if we handed a small contribution to you you would doubtless be able to use it to advantage and at the same time—ah—consider it confidential."

"Twenty-five more!" exclaimed Laurie when they were back in No. 16. "Forty from Mr. Starling. Seventy-seven in all! What'll we do with it?"

"Blessed if I know?" replied Ned, "unless we install steam heat and open plumbing!"