"I suppose we might go inside, too," suggested Sylvia obtusely. "Oh, I came up for the fresh air! Most of my nights lately have been spent in a hot office with not even a June bug for company. How are the neighbors?" "The Bassetts? Oh, Mrs. Bassett is not at all well; Marian is at home now; Blackford is tutoring and getting ready to take the Annapolis examinations the first chance he gets." "I saw Allen to-day," he remarked carelessly. She said nothing. He moved his chair nearer. "He told me things that scared me to death--among others that he and Marian are engaged." "Yes, Marian told me that." "Ah! She really takes it seriously, does she?" "Yes, she takes it seriously; why shouldn't she?" "It's the first time she ever took anything seriously; that's all." "Please don't speak of her like that, Dan. You know she and I are friends, and I thought you and she were friends too. She always speaks of you in the very kindest way. Your leaving Mr. Bassett didn't make any difference with her. And you are the greatest of Blackford's heroes next to Nelson and Farragut." Dan laughed. "So it isn't Napoleon, and Grant and Custer any more? I'm glad he's settled down to something." "He's a fine boy with a lot of the right stuff in him. We've been having some lessons together." "Tutoring Blackford? You'll have to explain the psychological processes that brought that about." "Oh, they're simple enough. He hadn't done well in school last year; Mrs. Bassett was troubled about it. I take him for a couple of hours every morning. Mrs. Bassett engaged me, and Mr. Bassett approved of the plan. Allen probably told you all the news, but he didn't know just how I came to go to Chicago cago to bring Marian home. It was to keep the news of that automobile smash from Mrs. Bassett, and to save Marian's own dignity with the Willings." "Oh! You went at her father's instance, did you?" "Yes. I offered to go when I found that he was very angry and likely to deal severely and ungenerously with Marian. I thought it would be better for me to go." "As near as I can make out, you've taken the Bassetts on your shoulders. I didn't suppose Aunt Sally would stand for that." "Aunt Sally doesn't know why I went to Chicago. I assume Mrs. Bassett knows I went to bring Marian home, but I don't know what Mr. Bassett told her about it, and I haven't seen her since. It's possible my going may have displeased her. Blackford came here for his lessons this morning." Dan moved uneasily. The domestic affairs of the Bassetts did not interest him save as they involved Sylvia. It was like Sylvia to help them out of their scrapes; but Sylvia was not a person that he could scold or abuse. "You needed rest and it's too bad you've had to bother with their troubles. Bassett was on the boat as I came over. He had a grouch. He doesn't look like a happy man."