“Well, I certainly hope the dear child is stronger than she looks. I’ll send over here tomorrow to inquire after her.” Miss Storms declared with insistent good humor. “Good-bye.” Smiling rather impersonally, she nodded to John and went out. John walked to the window and stood staring into the rain, and he did not hear Jim when he came in a few minutes later, his umbrella dripping and his shoulders wet. When Miss Storms reached home she told Merwent and his wife of her visit. “Well, I’m sorry,” Arthur said slowly, shaking his head as he spoke. “It means that I have lost my daughter. I don’t wonder that she’s sick, poor girl. I could see that she was nearly frantic yesterday. I’ll write to her.” Then his voice grew bitter. “Of all the fiends in human form----!” Ellen laid her hand on his arm. He was silent. “I don’t think I’ll ever call myself a diplomat again,” announced Miss Storms grimly. * * * * * John and Jim closed the office and walked to the station in silence. Even in the close proximity of the suburban train they exchanged only a few desultory remarks. Lucy had hardly put on her dry clothes and returned downstairs after her walk when John’s key was heard in the front door. “Come in,” he said to Jim. The two men hung their rain coats on the hat tree and John led the way to the dining room. Lucy, who was seated by a window, rose at their entrance. “Well, Lucy, I concluded I’d turn myself into a surprise party. I told John not to ’phone out,” Jim declared. “I thought you were sick a-bed.” “No. I’m feeling better this evening,” she replied rather coldly, shaking hands. “Good evening, Mr. Sprague. What a nice surprise for Lucy! I hope you weren’t worried about her.” Nannie came forward. “Good evening, Mrs. Merwent,” returned Jim, ignoring her observations. His perplexed gaze followed Lucy as he looked over her mother’s head. “Where’s Dimmie?” he inquired at last. “He has gone to the Hamiltons’. He’s getting to be quite a runabout.” Nannie proffered the information. “Kin I put dinnah on right away, Miss Nannie?” asked Katy, coming to the door. “Wait a minute, Katy,” replied Mrs. Merwent. “You must put an extra plate on.” Then, addressing John and Jim, “Shall I mix you two some of Mr. Sprague’s near cocktails before you eat?” “Not for me, Mrs. Merwent, thank you,” Jim refused hastily. “Well, let me make one for you, anyway, John,” she urged. “All right, Nannie. I don’t mind if you do.” “Then, come into the kitchen while I fix it.” John followed her. “I invited myself out,” Jim remarked to Lucy, when they were alone. “I was worried about you. And John told me on the train you had a fainting spell and the doctor had to be called in.” “It wasn’t serious,” Lucy explained impassively. “I was a little nervous and unstrung. That’s all.” “Well, that’s enough,” asserted Jim grimly. “It’s not an uncommon female failing,” said Lucy.