Mrs. Scott ignored the question. It annoyed her to think of this brilliant stranger in the hands of Mrs. Lister even though his business was with her. "If you are interested in hearing about Basil Everman"--the name slipped from her lips as though it had long waited just behind them--"you might like to meet some Waltonville people here to-morrow evening. They could tell you a great deal." Utterly accepted the invitation with alacrity. If he were still in Waltonville, he should like nothing better. "There is another citizen of Waltonville whom I should like to meet," said he. Mrs. Scott's mind traveled rapidly down the list of professors. She almost purred in her satisfaction. "I shall be glad to ask any one. That person is--" When Utterly answered "Miss Eleanor Bent," Mrs. Scott looked astonished and disapproving. Utterly read her countenance with amusement. It was evident that Miss Bent did not move in Mrs. Scott's circle. The worse for Mrs. Scott! He explained that he was to call on Miss Bent that evening by appointment. She was, thank fortune! here and alive and easy to find. Then, with a polite good-afternoon, he descended the steps and started toward the Listers' white house. Dr. Scott and his wife spoke simultaneously. "What on earth does he want?" demanded Mrs. Scott of Dr. Scott and of the universe. "The man is a stranger! Why did you invite him here like that?" "We are told to entertain strangers," replied Mrs. Scott flippantly. "What _does_ he want here? What does he want with Eleanor Bent? What is this about Mrs. Lister's brother?" "I don't know. I didn't ask. It's none of my affair." "Perhaps she has applied somewhere for a position. What--" Dr. Scott gathered up his papers and books. He dropped the "Fortnightly Review" and almost groaned to see that magazine and cover had parted company. Then he bestowed upon his wife one of the glances of incredulous astonishment which he had cast upon her during all but a very brief period of their married life, and fled. That a party involved the making of ice-cream and that he would be required to furnish the motive power for its manufacture in the middle of to-morrow's hot afternoon was not the least disturbing of the reflections which this unfortunate incident introduced into his mind. CHAPTER V MR. UTTERLY CONTINUES HIS SEARCH