“It’s not nearly so sneaky as getting money to help your family and then spending it on candy!” Nan retorted.

“I didn’t ask for their old money to help my family. I never said there was anything wrong with my family!”

“You must have, Kid. Everyone believed it. Why, papa was talking about it and saying what a fine boy you were to—to try to earn money. And mama was so sorry for your poor mother. And I thought you were a regular hero, like you read of in books. And now you’ve gone and spoiled it all!”

“I never!” muttered Kid. “And, anyhow, if they get their money back again I don’t see what they’ve got to be sore about!”

“You know you can’t pay them back now, Kid; you’ve spent all the money, I guess.”

“I have, have I? That’s all you know about it! I’ve got plenty of money to pay everyone back—if I want to.”

“Where’d you get it, Kid?”

“That’s my affair,” he replied haughtily. “I’ve got it.”

“Is it—is it honest?” she asked anxiously.