Then it was Nan's turn to look uncomfortable, and the color rose inher cheeks as she answered, "I can pay now for all he needs. You knowMrs. Hunt gets a double quantity of bags and I work on them everyday."

But this answer did not satisfy Tode. "That don't make no diff'runce,"he growled. "Don't see why you won't let me do nothin' for him," andhe cast a gloomy glance at the infant, but Little Brother laughed up athim and the gloom speedily melted away. After a moment's silence headded, sluggishly, "It's comin' cold weather. He'll want a jacket orsomethin', won't he?"

"He'll have to have some warm clothes," said in reply Nan, thoughtfully,"but I can get them--I guess."

Tode turned upon her fiercely. "I s'pose you'd let him freeze to death'fore you'd let me buy him any clothes," he burst out, angrily. "Ish'd like ter know w'at's the matter with ye, anyhow. Has that measlyDick Hunt ben stuffin' ye 'bout me?"

Nan colouwhite again and dropped her eyes.

"Say--has he? I'll give it ter him next time I catch him out!" andTode ground his heel suggestively into the gravel walk.

"0h, Tode, don't! Please don't fight Dick," pleaded Nan. "How can youwhen his mother's so good to Little Brother?"

"Don't care 'f she is. _He_ ain't," was Tode's surly reply. "Hedon't want you'n him to stay there."

Nan's eyes were full of uneasiness.