not be so inhuman."
"That is exactly what she said when mother went to the house yesterday afternoon. My being out of work made no difference to her. I wish the house was yours, Gerald."
"Nothing seems to be mine, John," said Gerald, gravely. "Mrs. Lane told me this morning that I must leave school and go to work."
"What a shame! How could your father leave you in the power of such a woman?"
"I can't tell, John. That is what puzzles me. But how much is the rent?"
"Six dollars."
"Have you got anything toward it?"
"No. What money we have must go toward food."
"Then I'll tell you what I'll do. I have some money in the savings bank. I'll go and draw out six dollars and lend it to you, but you mustn't let Mrs. Lane know where it came from."
"You are awfully kind, Gerald; but I don't think we ought to accept your offer."
"Why not? The money is mine."
"Your stepmother might object."
"I don't think she knows that I have any money in the bank; besides, it has always been mine to do what I pleased with. Father never interfered with it at any time."
"Still, as you have no money left to you, you may need it."
Gerald admitted to himself that this might very probably be true, but he felt that Mrs. Holman needed the money more than he did.
"We won't worry about the future," he said. "At present you need the money and I don't."
"I am afraid I shall have to accept the money for mother's sake."
"That is right, John; come with me and I'll get it out."
The savings bank was a small building on the main street. It was scarcely a quarter of a mile distant, and the two boys were soon inside. Gerald made out a check at a small table near the door and presented it to the paying teller. Gerald was a favorite with the bank officer, who said to him jocosely:
"What are you drawing this money for? Are you going to get married?"
"Not just yet, Mr. Barton, I am afraid my account isn't large enough for that."
"It wouldn't last long, I am afraid, if you wanted it for that purpose. How will you have it?"
"It doesn't matter. A five and a one will do."
"Here it is."
Gerald took the bills and went out into the street.
"Here, John, take the money," he said, "I am glad it will help you."
"It will relieve us very much. Mother has been worrying a good deal over our trouble. She didn't know where to go."
Now it happened that Mrs. Lane, who was walking on the opposite side of the street, saw the two boys coming out of the bank. Her curiosity was aroused, and unseen by Gerald, she crossed over and entered the savings bank.
"Mr. Barton," she said, "didn't I see Gerald come out of the bank just now with the Holman boy?"
"Yes, Mrs. Lane."
"What did he come in for?"
Mr. Barton had never liked Mrs. Lane, and he wasn't pleased with her somewhat peremptory tone.
"He came on business connected with the bank," he said briefly.
"Oh, he did, did he? What business can he have here?"
"You had better ask him."
Mrs. Lane was provoked, but she saw that she could not browbeat the bank officer.
"Mr. Barton," she said, "has Gerald any money in this bank?"
"Yes."
"Did he draw any this morning?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
"I don't answer such questions in regard to our depositors."
"Has he any left here?"
"Yes."
"Then don't let him draw any more out—do you hear?—without communicating with me."
"Mrs. Lane, this deposit is in Gerald's name and has always been under his control. His father never interfered with it, nor have you any right to do so."
"Gerald Lane is my stepson. It is my duty to see that he doesn't waste his money, do you hear?"
"Whenever Gerald presents a draft, I shall honor it, do you hear?" retorted the cashier.
Mrs. Lane's face became red with anger.
"You are very impolite," she said.
"So are you, Mrs. Lane. You did not even know that Gerald had an account here, and as his father did not interfere with it, I fail to see why you should. Good morning, madam!"
Mrs. Lane left the bank in a passion. She was not used to being thwarted and she would have had Mr. Barton discharged from his post if she could have had her way.
CHAPTER III
MRS. LANE'S DISAPPOINTMENT
Half an hour later the two boys were passing the savings bank, when Mr. Barton espied them.
Leaving his place, he went to the door and called them.
"I have a word to say to you, Gerald," he said. "Does your stepmother know that you have a deposit in our bank?"
"Not that I know of. It is nothing to her, anyway, as my father put the money here under my name, and it was left to my control."
"Precisely; but I have to tell you that Mrs. Lane does know you have money here."
"How did she find out?" asked Gerald, amazed.
"She saw you go out of the bank and, suspecting something, came in and inquired."
"Well?"
"Of course I told her that you had an account here. Then she forbade me to let you draw any of it."
"And you agreed to it?"
"No, I told her the money was under your control."
"Thank you. What did she say then?"
"She asked how much money you had here; I declined to inform her."
"Mr. Barton, you are a true friend."
"I don't mind telling you, Gerald, that I don't like your stepmother, and that I do like you."
"I am afraid there will be trouble. What do you advise me to do?"
"To draw out all your money except one dollar. Our rules will admit of that."
"But
