"I must insist that you do not write even to Graham," she remarked. "About what you owe—I will pay that. Yes, I'll start you out clear. You won't write to Graham?"
"No," said Andy slowly—"if you insist on it."
"I will settle the five dollars you owe Graham," promised Miss Lavinia, "I will pay the bill of damages at the school and to Farmer Dale, and send you the receipts. Does that suit you?"
"Why—yes," answered Andy in a bewildered tone.
"You take that pen and a sheet of paper. Write an order on Graham to deliver to me those old family mementos you pawned to him. Also, give me your address for a few weeks ahead."
Andy did this.
"And now, good night and good-bye," spoke his aunt. "I hope you'll some day see the error of your ways, Andy Wildwood."
Miss Lavinia did not offer to shake hands with Andy. She nodded towards the door to dismiss him, as she would have done to a perfect stranger.
"Good-bye, Aunt Lavinia," said Andy. "You're thinking a little hard of me. But you've done a big thing in signing that paper, and I'll never do anything to make you ashamed of me. Ginger! am I afoot or horseback? Permission to join the show! Ten dollars! Oh my head is just whirling!"
These last sentences Andy tittered in a vivid gasp as he went down the stairs and once more reached the outer air.