“Fifty thousand,” she murmured breathlessly.

“Splendid!” cried Madison enthusiastically, rising from his chair and pushing the newly established record of contributions toward Thornton.  “Splendid!  There’s sixty thousand of the five hundred already.  Splendid!”

Young Holmes ran toward his parents.

“I want to give too, dad,” he whispered.  “I want to give too.”

“Reckon so,” said Holmes, getting up heavily.  “Reckon so—­an’ I was a-goin’ to.  I ain’t got much though,” he added timorously, as his hand went into his pocket.

There was a little exclamation from Helena, and she moved a step forward as though to interpose.  Madison looked at her quickly—­and quietly stepped around the table, placing himself between her and Holmes; and, facing Holmes, leaned over the table from the far side toward the other.

“It’s not the amount, Holmes,” he said kindly.  “In the broad, true sense the amount counts for nothing—­all cannot give the same.”

“Yes,” said Holmes.  “Reckon that’s the way I feel.”  He counted the bills in his hand, and dropped them into the little japanned box; then scrawled his name in the book beneath Thornton’s, adding the amount—­eight dollars.

Madison looked around the group benignantly.

“I think they should know out there what we have done,” he said, pointing toward the lawn.  “Let us go and tell them, not in any set speech, but just simply—­each of us speaking to a few—­the few will tell others.  Shall we go?”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Thornton.  “Yes; let us tell them.”  She turned to Helena and kissed her.  “Try and come often to see me, dear—­we shall be here now for a little while at least.  Is it asking too much?  Robert will bring you back and forth from the village.  And perhaps, if I may, I will come out here to see you—­may I?”

“I shall be very glad to do as my wife suggests,” said Thornton, holding out his hand.  “You will come, Miss Vail?”

“You are very good, both of you,” Helena answered simply.  She raised her eyes to Thornton—­her hand was still in his.  “Yes, I will try to come.”

“Oh, break away!” muttered Madison impatiently—­but silently.  He stepped to the door and opened it.  “Will you lead the way, Mrs. Thornton?” he said calmly.

Thornton and his wife passed out; and the Holmes, with clumsy, earnest words upon their lips to Helena, followed.  Madison hung back—­then stepped quickly to Helena.

“Tear up that check of mine so small you can’t find the pieces, Helena,” he said hurriedly; “and send Thornton’s right off to any old bank you like in New York.  Endorse it, and write them a note saying you wish to open an account.  Enclose your signature, and tell them to mail back the bank-book, a check-book, deposit slips and all that.  They’ll know by the newspapers that Thornton’s subscribed fifty thousand before they get the check, and they’ll feel honored to be your depository.  Do it to-night, understand?”