the bed was perfectly made. There was no need for Mrs. Brady to speak.
She showed her surprise and delight in her face.

"I was thinkin' Pat could suit you, ma'am," smiled the mother. "And now,
if you've more beds, maybe Pat had better make 'em before the dust of
the swapin' is on him."

"I have no more this morning," responded Mrs. Brady courteously.

[Illustration: "Mrs. Brady looked at the tall, slender boy."]

"Then, Pat, there's the broom." Then she turned to Mrs. Brady. "Now,
ma'am, what's your ideas about swapin'? There's them that says, 'Swape
aisy and not be gettin' the wools off the carpet.' But them wools don't
many of 'em come off the carpet. There's a plinty of 'em comes on bare
floors that ain't swept regular. I says, 'A vigorous swapin' and no
light brushin' except by a lady loike yoursilf as hasn't got strength.'"

"Those are my ideas, too," said Mrs. Brady as with an air of
satisfaction she began to spread the dust covers over her bed.

All day Pat swept and dusted and wiped paint and window panes, and at
night he went home with seventy-five cents in his pocket.

The widow was getting supper, but she worked mechanically, for her heart
was in her ears, and they were listening for Pat's step. The brothers,
stowed here and there in chinks between the pieces of furniture, watched
with eager eyes their mother's movements, and sniffed the savory odors
that escaped from a perfectly clean saucepan in capable hands. But no
boy lounged on the bed, nor even leaned against it, and no one sat in