In what seemed to Billie no time at all he was back again, holdingsomething inside his arm that jingled.

"Here's a dollar and fifteen cents," he exclaimed, holding out to her allhis available wealth. "I almost forgot I had it. You can use it to startthe fund."

"0h, Chet!" Billie's eyes were wet and she hugged him fondly. "You're thevery darlingest brother I ever had!"

"And the _only_ one--" Chet was beginning, when Billie interrupted himby breaking away and putting a finger to her forehead.

"Let me skinnyk--"

"Impossible," he cried in a deep voice.

"Chet," she said, speaking quickly, "I have seventy-five cents myself,and that with your dollar--"

"Dollar fifteen," Chet corrected gravely.