XXII
THE BREAD LINE
Livingstone did not read quite all the letter. There were lines and paragraphs here and there that he entered, stumbled, and backed out of—taking at last a road around that was so evidently his own as to make Perner remark once:
"Don't revise, Stony; you can't improve on the original."
And when he had finished, none of the three spoke for at least a minute. Then Van Dorn said huskily:
"I knew she was a bully girl when she sent that subscription— I could tell by the writing."
"That subscription letter is mine, Stony. As acting manager of the 'Whole Family' I claim it."
Then, all at once, they had hold of Livingstone's hands, and when the three faced the fire again it reflected in their eyes with unusual brightness.
"I can't get it cashed to-night," Livingstone reflected presently; "it's too big."