"I'll come by and pick it up on my way back.... Come along."
He lifted her into the car, and they moved slowly through Paradise Road, and drew up before the cobbler's shop.
Lafe put down his hammer as they entered, and bade King take a chair. Jinnie sat weakly on the bench beside Mr. Grandoken. He took her hand, and the loving pressure brought forth a storm of outraged tears.
Then her arms stole around the cobbler. "The angels sent Mr. King!... Lafe, Lafe, save me from Maudlin! He--he----"
Theodore King rose to his feet, his face paling. Lafe, smoothing Jinnie's head now buried in his breast, lifted misty eyes to the young man.
"My poor baby! My poor little girl!" he stammered. "She has much to stand, sir."
The other man took several nervous turns around the shop. Presently he paused near the cobbler and coughed in embarrassment.
"I'm interested in doing something for your niece, Mr. Grandoken," said he lamely.
On hearing this, Jinnie lifted her head, and Lafe bowed.
"I don't approve of her going into the marshes alone to gather wood," continued Mr. King. "She's too young, too----"
"I don't uther, sir," interrupted Lafe sadly, "but we've got to live."
Not heeding the cobbler's explanation, Theodore proceeded deliberately.
"She plays too well on the violin not to have all the training that can be given her. Now let me be of some service until she is self-supporting."
Again Lafe repeated, "Thank you, sir, but I don't think Jinnie could accept money from any one."
"I don't see why not! It's quite customary when a young person is ambitious to receive----"
"Indeed yes, and I've been making inquiries, and I find there's a very good teacher on the hill who'll give her the rudiments.... After that, we'll see."
"Lessons cost lots of money," objected Lafe feebly, drawing the girl closer.
"I know that," interposed Mr. King, "but I want to pay for them. She ought to take one every day, the teacher says, commencing to-morrow."
Jinnie stood up. "I couldn't let you pay for 'em," she said quickly. "I----"
She sat down again at a motion from Theodore.
"Please don't object until I have finished," he smiled at her. "It's like this: If you study, you'll be able to earn a lot of money. Then you can return every dollar to me."