“I beg your pardon, Mrs. Merwent, for having ventured to offer an opinion on the subject,” apologized Jim coldly. “Here! You two people will be pulling hair in a minute,” interrupted John, breezily. “Let’s talk about something else.” “With pleasure,” agreed Jim in the same frigid tone. Mrs. Merwent rose without a word and made her way to the dining room. “Where are you, Nannie?” John called after a few minutes. Receiving no reply, he stepped to the door. “What are you sitting out here alone for?” he began. Then, in response to a sign from her, he entered the room. “You and Jim don’t seem to get on very well tonight.” He spoke in a lowered voice as he seated himself by her side. “Well, I’m amazed that you do,” she responded cryptically. “What do you mean, Nannie?” Mrs. Merwent raised her eyebrows significantly. “You watch him,” she advised, almost in a whisper. “Watch him?” John repeated in surprise. “Why, what for?” “Remember what I say!” she whispered. “You watch his attitude toward Lucy. Didn’t you notice how anxious she was to defend him last night?” An expression of understanding came into John’s eyes. “Why, Nannie, you don’t mean----” He paused. “I don’t mean anything.” She paused. “But it’s as I said the other night,” she added; “you’re too good and trusting, John.” In the other room Jim had risen to take his departure. “It’s early yet,” Lucy was saying. “I must get back,” he insisted. “Well, thank you for coming, anyway.” “I’m afraid I’ve done no good,” he answered, discouragedly. “You’ve certainly done no harm, Jim.” “I don’t know.” He shook his head. They went into the hall and he took up his hat. “Good-bye, Mrs. Merwent. Good night, John,” he said formally, stepping to the dining room door. “Good night,” returned John absently. “Good-bye, Mr. Sprague,” Nannie responded in her usual silvery tones. As he was leaving, Jim grasped Lucy’s hand warmly. After he had gone, Lucy came to the dining room door and glanced in at Nannie and John. Then she turned away and ascended the stairs. Neither of them had noticed her. XXI Egged on by Nannie, John, though temporarily distracted by other matters, had not relinquished his determination to secure a servant, and one morning, as the result of his efforts, a girl from an employment agency presented herself. “My name is Grace Stanley,” she announced, handing Lucy the note of introduction which John had sent, “and I do no washing, ironing, or mending, and I want Thursday and Saturday afternoons off. Of course I’ll stay today,” she concluded. Lucy, whose protests had been in vain, had been warned of John’s intention the morning before and now without comment led the girl to the servant’s room.