Lucy hesitated an instant. “No--John. I don’t think I really meant them,” she admitted. John reached for his handkerchief and wiped his eyes. “And you didn’t mean that you hated me?” He pulled her down to his knee. “You still love me, don’t you, Lucy?” “Yes, John, I still love you.” They sat several minutes in silence. “Now I’m going down to the office.” He lifted Lucy up gently and rose from his chair. She followed him to the hall. “Good-bye,” he said. He took up his hat and held out his arms. She came into them and he kissed her forehead as of old. “Good-bye, dear. Come home as early as you can.” Lucy smiled at him as he went down the steps. She watched him as he halted in the gateway to light a cigarette. XXIX John entered the office and, after hesitating slightly, greeted Jim rather ungraciously. Jim’s reply was scarcely audible. Their eyes met for an instant but each showed that he was anxious to avoid the other’s gaze. They exchanged a few necessary remarks. Jim held out the photograph of a lately completed house. His hand was unsteady as he called John’s attention to the picture. John barely glanced at it. Coughing nervously, he walked to the window. After a few moments he murmured something unintelligible about Layard’s and, taking up his hat, went out. When Jim was alone, he stood irresolute for a time, then, taking his own hat and coat, followed John’s example. In the street, Jim took the first surface car, without even noticing the destination indicated on the front, and he did not reappear at the office until late that evening. Nannie did not return to Rosedene until nearly five o’clock in the afternoon. She came at once, through the dining room, into the kitchen where Lucy was making a dessert. “Just look at my clothes! I have little enough without having this ruined.” Mrs. Merwent held out her linen skirt which was ripped at the hem and had a small tear suggestive of the imprint of a man’s boot heel. “The cars were so crowded! It was so hot standing there and I missed the first train. Miss Powell had an engagement and couldn’t wait with me. If I had only known I was going to be so late I could have gone to John’s office. Hasn’t he come yet?” Nannie’s air was injured. “No, he hasn’t come yet.” Lucy bent over her work. “Why, I already told Katy to have peaches and cream!” Mrs. Merwent’s eye took in Lucy’s preparations and her voice rose irritably. Lucy made no response. “Did you fix the celery soup?” Mrs. Merwent asked the negress. “No, Miss Nannie. You see Miss Lucy wanted me to have----” “You needn’t bother about the dinner. Everything is ready,” interrupted Lucy, looking full at her mother. “Now, Lucy, there was no need for your working in the kitchen. I had instructed Katy about everything, and two heads only make confusion.” “There’s only one head,” replied Lucy. “Of course I know that you are the mistress, but I have taken things over for you, and it only mixes things up----”