"Oh, Freckles!" she cried. "You've been gone a month!"
"Four days, Angel, just four days by the clock," remonstrated Freckles. "Where are the children?"
"Asleep! Thank goodness! I'm worn to a thread. I never saw such inventive, active children. I can't keep track of them!"
"I have brought you help," said Freckles. "Here is the Limberlost girl in whom the Bird Woman is interested. Miss Comstock needs a rest before beginning her school work for next year, so she came to us."
"You dear thing! How good of you!" cried the Angel. "We shall be so happy to have you!"
In her room that night, in a beautiful cottage furnished with every luxury, Elnora lifted a tired face to the Angel.
Of course, you understand there is something back of this?" she said. "I must tell you."
"Yes," agreed the Angel. "Tell me! If you get it out of your system, you will stand a better chance of sleeping."
Elnora stood brushing the copper-bright masses of her hair as she talked. When she finished the Angel was almost hysterical.
"You insane creature!" she cried. "How crazy of you to turn him over to her! I know both of them. I have met them often. She may be able to make good her boast. But it is perfectly splendid of you! And, after all, really it is the only way. I can see that. I think it is what I should have done myself, or tried to do. I don't know
