"Why, Kathie, I think you ought to have written to him."
"I meant to write and own up, no matter if I did tell you I wouldn't. But I kept putting it off. Esmé, did you notice how thin and worn he looks?"
The other winced. "He's had a great deal to worry him."
"Well, he hasn't got our lawsuit to worry him any more. That's off."
"Off?" A light flashed into Esmé's face. "Your father has dropped it?"
"Yes. He had to. I told him the accident was my fault, and if I was put on the stand I'd say so. I'm not so popular with Pop as I might be, just now. But, Esmé, I didn't mean to run away and leave her in the gutter. I got rattled, and Brother was crying and I lost my head."
"That will save the 'Clarion,'" said Esmé, with a deep breath.
Kathleen looked at her curiously, and then made a singular remark. "Yes; that's what I did it for."
"But what interest have you in saving the 'Clarion'?" demanded Esmé, bewildered.
"The failure of the 'Clarion' would be a disaster to the city," observed Miss Pierce in copy-book style.