"You might try the orphan asylum," offered Jean, as balm for this wound. "It's only four blocks from here."
"I have," returned Mabel, dejectedly. "I went there early this morning."
"What happened?" demanded Bettie, who had just arrived with a little Tucker under each arm.
"They said they'd let them go 'permanently to responsible parties.' I didn't know just exactly what that meant, so I said: 'Does that mean that you'll lend me a few for two hours?'"
"And would they?"
"Well, they didn't. They said I'd better borrow a Teddy bear."
"How mean," said sympathetic Bettie. "Nevermind, I'll lend you Peter, this time."
"Say," queried Mabel, after she had accepted Bettie's proffered brother, "what does 'permanently' mean?"
"For keeps," explained Jean.