"Besides, they've sold the house now, you know.

There's nowhere for her to go but here, Bertram." "All right," acquiesced the younger man, still doubtingly.

"Maybe that's so; maybe! But--" he did not finish his sentence, and his eyes were troubled as he watched his brother begin to rearrange Billy's rooms.
In time, however, so sure was William of Billy's return to the Beacon Street house, that Bertram ceased to question; and, with almost as much confidence as William himself displayed, he devoted his energies to the preparations for Billy's arrival.
And what preparations they were! Even Cyril helped this time to the extent of placing on Billy's piano a copy of his latest book, and a pile of new music.

Nor were the melodies that floated down from the upper floor akin to funeral marches; they were perilously near to being allied to "ragtime." At last everything was ready.

There was not one more bit of dust to catch Pete's eye, nor one more adornment that demanded William's careful hand to adjust.