“Go where?” Dee demanded.
“Home,” said Anna. “I have no place here now, and I go. I am like Mr. De Lorme. I too believe in down with everything, but there is no place for that here. Americans, they growl and they sneer, but always they sing, 'My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty,’ and what can you do? They are all satisfied down in their hearts. Only the dwellers in far lands who come here are anarchists. Across the water, when an anarchist shows himself much, off goes his head! He is dead! Over here, they laugh; they say, 'Let him rave, he enjoys it, let him go on.’ It is only when they arrange for a day like the thirteenth like rattlebrains, why then America says, 'Bad child, don’t you do that or else I send you home.’”
“You must have some money anyway,” said Dee.
The old woman shook her head. “Anna has plenty.” She fumbled in her dress and pulled out a sack containing many bills of large denominations.
“There is much money,” said old Anna. “And I will go home and live like a lady. I shall not give it up to someone who has not earned it. Bah! Down with everything if you please, but Anna keeps her money.”
She turned and walked away, then as she left the room, she turned and said: “Most of the money Mr. De Lorme had belonged to your mother. Old Anna knows. Get it quick before the courts get it, and carry it about with you. That’s the only way.”
Without a good-bye, she went through the door and was gone, leaving Dee with a light heart. So the money came from his mother! Of course it was his.
He found the Aunt down in the beautiful Blue Grass country all that a lonely boy would wish. She was altogether lovely, altogether loving and he returned to Louisville for school with the feeling that at last he had people of his own and a home to go to when he was not studying. Letters came from her every week, and he found himself looking forward to Monday as his letter-day.
One day a month or so later, the Wireless Club was holding a meeting to decide whether any new members should be admitted and the club enlarged. As they were in the most heated part of the discussion, Frank and Ernest came in.
“Aha, we are all here,” said Ernest. He looked at Fatty. “Even little sunbeam over there. My word, Henry Bascom, you are certainly growing thin.”