“All right, Worthy Prophetess,” said Nan, seriously.  “I mark thee well.  But I am afraid we are in the wrong this time.  We should have encouraged her attempt to be grateful.”

She had no idea—­nor had Nan Sherwood herself—­that it lay within Linda’s power, if it did in her wish, to injure Nan further.  But Fate weaves strange webs of ordinary circumstances and that very evening Nan Sherwood came in close contact with Linda Riggs again, and the incident savored of a new peril, as keen as it was unexpected.

Walter was a minute late at the dinner table that night and as he slid into his seat beside Nan, after excusing himself to his mother and receiving her absolution in a smile, he whispered to Nan: 

“What’s ‘on’ for after dinner?”

“I really do not know of anything, Walter,” she replied, smiling.  “Don’t you suppose we girls ever want to keep quiet?  This visit to your house has been one continual round of pleasure—­”

“Yes.  You get your pleasure out of rescuing kids from the street, chasing runaway horses, hunting for runaway girls, and playing Sister of Charity to sick people.  Say! your idea of pleasure, Nan Sherwood, is simply funny.  Now, I’ve got something on for this evening, if you, and Bess, and Grace—­and the kid, of course—­want to go.  But no crowd.  My exchequer will not stand it.

“I’m running low in funds and father won’t let me overdraw my allowance, although he lets Grace do it almost every month.  He says a girl hasn’t any head for figures, anyway, and she’s to be excused.”

“Oh, my!” gasped Nan.  “That maligns the sex.  I ought not to allow that, Walter Mason.”

“Huh!” returned the boy, grinning.  “Grace doesn’t mind how much the sex is maligned, I warrant, as long as father hands her out an extra five whenever she runs short.”

“But you haven’t told me what the scheme is for this evening,” Nan reminded him.

“Movies,” Walter said.  “There’s a dandy new theatre opened on Halliburton Street.  It isn’t far, and mother approves of the class of pictures they run.  There are going to be some funny ones shown to-night, too.  I’ll stand treat for you girls—­but no more.”

“Dear me, Walter,” cried Nan.  “You spend all your money on us girls.”

“It couldn’t go in a better cause,” retorted the generous boy, stoutly.

Permission for the evening’s outing was easily obtained, and the quintette of pleasure-seeking young folk hurried away immediately after dinner, so as to see the first show and get home early.  Little Inez was as eager and excited as she could be over the prospect of seeing a real movie show.

“I seen some pictures once in a dance hall where a man let me sell me flowers,” she explained.  “But, I never dared spend a nickel for no show.  Me aunt would have scalped me—­sure she would!”

Mr. Sherwood had seen Inez’s aunt that afternoon, at his little daughter’s request, and found that the woman dared make no objection as to their disposal of the child.  In fact, she seemed a good deal relieved that kind friends had been raised for Inez.