“I'll see him about it in the morning,” Father answered. “He's got a couple of black girls working up there, but I guess he could fire one of them and hire Lucille.”

But Father was saved the trip, for, a short time later, Mr. Raleigh drove up to the house. After he had been welcomed, Father explained what he and Mother had been talking about.

“I'm afraid even if Lucille turned all her wages over to you, it wouldn't prove of any great help, Zack,” Mr. Raleigh said. “Even in the cities, domestic help doesn't get more than six dollars a week and board. Besides, while I'd like to help you out, I've come to regard Lucille as sort of a younger sister and would feel rather strange about hiring her to work for me.”

“Then I guess we're going to be plenty up against it this winter,” Father said mournfully.

“Maybe not,” Mr. Raleigh said slowly, after he had glanced at me speculatively several times.

“You say you've no security to offer for a loan, but you're thinking in terms of banking finance. Now, if you want a loan from me, I can let you have up to five thousand dollars for as long as you wish and for security you can turn Lucille over to me. She can remain with me as my ward, as a sort of guardian till you find it convenient to pay off the loan.”

“Do you really mean that, Mr. Raleigh?” Father asked excitedly. “You'll let me have five thousand without security-all I have to do is let you keep Lucille to guarantee the money'll be paid back?”

“Right,” Mr. Raleigh agreed. “Of course, there are a few strings attached to my offer. One is that Lucille will regard me as her guardian, and that as her guardian, I shall be privileged to give her a whipping whenever she is disobedient, the same as you and your wife do. Do you object to that?”