Now for a few days Theodore King had had in mind a plan which, as he contemplated it, gave him great delight. He had decided to send Jinnie Grandoken away to school, to a school where she would learn the many things he considered necessary.
So one morning at Jinnie's lesson hour he appeared at the cobbler's shop and was received by Lafe with his usual grave smile.
"Jinnie's at the master's," said Mr. Grandoken, excusing the girl's absence.
"Yes, I know. The fact is, I wanted to talk with you and Mrs. Grandoken."
Lafe looked at him critically.
"Bobsie," said he to the blind boy, "call Peggy, will you?"
When the woman and child came in hand in hand, Peggy bowed awkwardly to Mr. King. Somehow, when this young man appeared with his aristocratic manner and his genial, friendly advances, she was always embarrassed.
Theodore cleared his throat.
"For some time," he began, "I've had in mind a little plan for Miss Jinnie, and I do hope you'll concur with me in it."
He glanced from the cobbler to his wife, and Lafe replied, "You've been too kind already, Mr. King----"
"It isn't a question of kindness, my dear Mr. Grandoken. As I've told you before, I'm very much interested in your niece."
Bobbie slipped from Mrs. Grandoken and went close to the speaker.
"She's my Jinnie," breathed the boy with a saintly smile.
Theodore laughed.
"Yes, I know that, my lad, but you want her to be happy, don't you?"
"She is happy," interjected Lafe, trembling.
"You might tell us your plan," broke in Peg sourly, who always desired to get the worst over quickly.
"Well, it is to send her away to school for a few years."
Bobbie gave a little cry and staggered to Peg, holding out his hands. She picked him up, with bitterness depicted in her face. But when she looked at her husband she was shocked, for he was leaning against the wall, breathing deeply.
"I knew the thought of letting her go would affect you, Mr. Grandoken," soothed Theodore. "That's why I came alone. Jinnie's so tender-hearted I feared the sight of your first grief might cause her to refuse."
"Does she know you was goin' to ask us this?" demanded Peg suspiciously.
Mr. King shook his head.
"Of course not! If she had, she and I would have asked it together."
"God bless 'er!" murmured Lafe. "You see it's like this, sir: Peg and me don't want to stand in her light."
"I won't let my Jinnie go," sighed Bobbie. "I haven't any stars when she's gone."
"The poor child's devoted to her," excused Lafe. "That's what makes him act so about it."