Mrs. Mullarkey was home, and she came running out to see why her children were being brought back in a buggy.

“Who’s hurt,” she asked anxiously, “that you’re bringing them home in a buggy?”

“None of them is hurt, Mrs. Mullarkey,” Mr. Phillips assured her quickly, and helped the children out.  “I’m Tom Phillips.  I knew your husband quite well.  I found these children crying in the road because Mr. Darner’s young scalawag of a son had told them that Jerry Elbow was to be taken to the poor farm.”

“Oh, Jerry, you blessed child!” crooned Mother ’Larkey, taking Jerry in her arms.  “And you to find it out from some one else when I’d been trying for this week past to get up courage enough to tell you.”

“Mother!” cried Nora in a shocked voice.

“It’s true, then?” asked Mr. Phillips.

“Yes,” replied Mrs. Mullarkey, drawing Jerry tightly to her.  “I don’t want to let you go, Jerry, but Dan’s insurance money is all gone and how I am to make enough to keep the bodies and souls of all you children together I don’t know.  I love you as though you were my own, you’re that sweet and gentle.”

Jerry began crying again, but softly this time, because he knew Mother ’Larkey wouldn’t let him go if she could help it.  She kissed him and turned to Mr. Phillips.

“Mr. Darner told me I’d sooner or later have to let some of my own children go there or be adopted out, if I didn’t consent to Jerry’s going.  I’m at the end of my string.”

“I see,” observed Mr. Phillips gently.  “I didn’t know just how Dan Mullarkey left you fixed, but I can do something to help you.  Darner can be made to listen to reason and I can bring some influence to bear upon him.  I don’t see why the county can’t let you have as much as it would cost it to keep Jerry at the farm.  I belong to the same lodge as Dan did and we’ll help you some there.  I’ll find something for Danny to do.  He can be earning a little money in the summer time and help you out that way.”

“You’re an angel if ever there was one in this world, Mr. Phillips,” said Mrs. Mullarkey.  “If the county will allow me for Jerry’s keep, I’ll take better care of him than he’d get at any institution and it would help me in keeping the brood together.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” said Mr. Phillips.

“Then Jerry won’t hafta go?” Celia Jane questioned.

“I hope not,” he replied.  “Keep a stiff upper lip, Jerry!”

“I—­I’ll try,” Jerry promised, already feeling certain that the danger which threatened him had passed.

“I’ll come back in a day or two,” said Mr. Phillips, “and let you know what I have been able to do.”

Jerry watched him from over Mother ’Larkey’s shoulder as he drove off.  He thought he had never seen a man who looked so big and strong and as though he could make people do just as he wanted them to.

CHAPTER VII