"Well, anyway," said Reggie a little lamely, "she didn't go, and so I put it up to the governor that there was no reason she couldn't go now. He saw it the same way--he's a rippin' good sort, the governor is--and he's left it to us to make the trip all the way round--that is, if I can get through my business in Japan in time." "If you don't get through in time, there'll be murder done," threatened Joe. In the animated talk that ensued all took a part. But toward the end of the meal, Joe noticed that Jim was a little more subdued than was usual with him, and that some of the sparkle and vivacity had vanished from Clara's eyes and voice. He glanced from one to the other and knew the reason. He knew how deep the feeling was growing between the two and realized what the coming six-months' separation would mean to them. A generous impulse came to him like a flash. "Listen folks," he said. "Surprises seem to be in fashion, so here's another one. Clara's going along with us." Astonishment and delight held Clara speechless--then she rose and flung her arms impulsively about her brother's neck, and for the second time that day Jim would have been willing to let her be a sister to him also. Jim reached his brawny hand across the table. "Put her there, Joe, old boy!" he said. "You're the finest fellow that ever wore shoe leather." "Won't it be just glorious!" exulted Mabel. "There never was such a boy in all the world," murmured Joe's mother. "But, Joe dear, won't it be too great an expense?" suggested Clara. "You know it's less than a month since you sent us that thousand-dollar bill that took us to the World's Series." "That's all right, Sis," reassured Joe, patting her hand. "Remember I cleared nearly four thousand dollars extra in the World's Series, and this won't put much of a dent in that. You just go ahead and doll yourself up--and hang the expense." And so it was settled, and it is safe to say that a group of happier young people could not be found anywhere than those who discussed excitedly, until late into the night, the coming trip with all its marvelous possibilities. The next two days flew by all too rapidly. The girls, of course, had plenty of time, but Joe and Jim had a host of things to attend to and a very limited time to do them in. But somehow, Joe made time enough to say a lot of things to Mabel that, to lovers at least, seem important, and Jim, though not daring to go quite so far, looked and said quite enough to deepen the roses in Clara's cheeks and the loveliness in her eyes. It was hard to part when the time for parting came, but this time there was no long six-months' separation to be dreaded--that is, as far as the young folks were concerned.