Hardy thanked him at great length, wondering, as he spoke, whether Miss Nugent was of punctual habits. He leaned back in his chair and, folding his arms, gazed thoughtfully at the perturbed Mr. Wilks. "You must come round and smoke a pipe with me sometimes," he said, casually. Mr. Wilks flushed with gratified pride. He had a vision of himself walking up to the front door of the Hardys, smoking a pipe in a well-appointed room, and telling an incredulous and envious Fullalove Alley about it afterwards. "I shall be very pleased, sir," he said, impressively. "Come round on Tuesday," said his visitor. "I shall be at home then." Mr. Wilks thanked him and, spurred on to hospitality, murmured something about a glass of ale, and retired to the back to draw it. He came back with a jug and a couple of glasses, and draining his own at a draught, hoped that the example would not be lost upon his visitor. That astute person, however, after a modest draught, sat still, anchored to the half-empty glass. "I'm expecting somebody to-night," said the ex-steward, at last. "No doubt you have a lot of visitors," said the other, admiringly. Mr. Wilks did not deny it. He eyed his guest's glass and fidgeted. "Miss Nugent is coming," he said. Instead of any signs of disorder and preparations for rapid flight, Mr. Wilks saw that the other was quite composed. He began to entertain a poor idea of Mr. Hardy's memory. "She generally comes for a little quiet chat," he said. "Indeed!" "Just between the two of us," said the other. His visitor said "Indeed," and, as though some chord of memory had been touched, sat gazing dreamily at Mr. Wilks's horticultural collection in the window. Then he changed colour a little as a smart hat and a pretty face crossed the tiny panes. Mr. Wilks changed colour too, and in an awkward fashion rose to receive Miss Nugent. "Late as usual, Sam," said the girl, sinking into a chair. Then she caught sight of Hardy, who was standing by the door. [Illustration: "She caught sight of Hardy."] "It's a long time since you and I met, Miss Nugent," he said, bowing. "Mr. Hardy?" said the girl, doubtfully. "Yes, miss," interposed Mr. Wilks, anxious to explain his position. "He called in to see me; quite a surprise to me it was. I 'ardly knowed him." "The last time we three met," said Hardy, who to his host's discomfort had resumed his chair, "Wilks was thrashing me and you were urging him on." Kate Nugent eyed him carefully. It was preposterous that this young man should take advantage of a boy and girl acquaintance of eleven years before--and such an acquaintance!--in this manner. Her eyes expressed a little surprise, not unmixed with hauteur, but Hardy was too pleased to have them turned in his direction at all to quarrel with their expression.