"Oh, Tod!" she exclaimed excitedly, "we must get her out of this place at once. The poor girl is nearly frightened to death! She should never have been sent here. It's an outrage. She is perfectly rational. She's just nervous and afraid—that's all!"
"Of course, she's all right!" retorted Tod. "We've known that right along."
"Yes," said his mother contritely, "we should have taken care of her from the first, and not let her go among strangers. It's your stepfather's fault."
"Well, what can we do to mend matters?" demanded Tod, with some impatience.
"The poor girl begged me so hard to take her to the hotel with me. I'm so upset I—— When does her case come up?"
"In about a week," replied Tod doggedly, "and until then I'm going to stay right here every minute of the time."
"Supposing I speak to Dr. McMutrie?" suggested his mother.
Tod shook his head.
"There's some legal process to go through. We have to get the consent of the person who placed her here. Cooley and Jimmy alone can do it. They must! We'll make them——"
"Hush!" cried his mother warningly. "Here's your stepfather."