“If you felt any better you’d scream, eh? Well, you’ve been up to something, Ethan, and you can lie yourself black in the face for all I care. You’re going back with me this evening; that’s settled. I came over in your machine and for a wonder it didn’t even spring a leak. I left it at The Larches,” he went on in response to Ethan’s questioning survey of the driveway and stable-yard. “I stopped there and made a call.” He paused, smiling mysteriously. “Oh,” said Ethan. “Yes, I――look here, let’s take a walk. What time is it? What? Oh, dinner be blowed! Come on, I want to talk a bit. Hang it, Eth, I’ll have to talk or bust up like one of your tires!” “All right,” answered Ethan, without enthusiasm. “Smoke?” Vincent accepted a cigarette and when they had lighted up they passed down the steps and along the road, under the arching elms, Vincent’s hand on his friend’s shoulder. “It’s largely your fault, old chap,” he said presently. He chuckled to himself a moment before continuing. “You see, I got uneasy about your sudden and mysterious affection for this rural paradise. I’ve never heard you enthuse about it before; in fact I remember several violently disparaging remarks on the subject of Riverdell. So when you wrote that you were stopping here a while to study mythology I got scared. Understand?” “Perfectly! What are you jawing about?” “Lord, you’re dense! I’ll explain in words of one――――” “Thanks.” [Illustration] “You see, Eth, you’re a very captivating beggar; you have a wonderful way with the fair sex. For instance, there was that girl at college――――” “Cut it out,” growled Ethan. “Still touchy? Well, I wasn’t taking any chances. Being interested over this way myself I thought I’d better take a run over and look after things. Thought maybe you were making love to my girl; poaching, you know. Couldn’t have blamed you, old chap, for she’s just about the swellest thing you ever saw.” “So you came up to head me off, eh?” inquired Ethan uninterestedly. “Exactly. And found to my surprise that you hadn’t been near the honey. You don’t know what you’ve missed, Eth. They’re awfully nice folks, the whole push; and they’d have been tickled to death to have you call. Why didn’t you?” “Consideration for your future happiness, Vin,” answered the other calmly. “And you haven’t been near the place?” “I got as far as the gate one day when taking a walk.” “Well, will you tell me what in blazes you’ve been doing here for the last week?” “No.” Vincent studied him silently a moment. “All right, old chap; I don’t want to be rudely inquisitive.” “You’re not; only don’t bother your head about me. I’m off to-day, anyhow.” “Yes, you’re coming with me. The mater made me swear by the graves of my ancestors that I’d fetch you back. And I’ve also promised to bring you to dinner to-night at the Devereuxs’.” “Sorry, Vin.” “You won’t?” “You’ve guessed it.” “Why not? Look here, I want you to meet Laura!” Ethan winced.