About two o’clock the transfer wagon came and the trunks were loaded into it. Mrs. Merwent’s expression became worried as she watched the departing motor truck. “I’m sure that man won’t take them to the right station,” she prophesied to Lucy. “Yes, he will. That’s the largest express company in the city. They’ll be perfectly safe.” “The man didn’t look honest to me, Lucy.” But Lucy had left the hall. Nannie was still at the front door when John opened the gate. “I came early,” he remarked in an undertone as he greeted her. “Yes. It’s our last evening, John,” answered Nannie sorrowfully. “I’ve just been telephoning Miss Powell to say good-bye. She says she’s coming to the station in the morning to see me off.” “That’s nice,” he commented indifferently. He regarded her careful toilette and the white rose in her belt with melancholy approval. “I’m all in over this thing, Nannie,” he told her, lowering his voice confidentially. His face evidenced his perturbation. “Dear John! I know!” She squeezed his arm. “Did you tell Mr. Sprague I was going?” she inquired abruptly a little later. “Yes,” answered John. “What did he say?” “He said that you had made quite a long visit.” “He didn’t say he was coming to the station, did he?” “No, he didn’t say anything else about it.” “Do you know, John, Mr. Sprague hasn’t even treated me with common ordinary courtesy since I’ve been here?” “Don’t you worry, Nannie. He’ll hear from me about it, all right. Jim Sprague has changed. He’s not the man he used to be at all.” “I don’t think he ever was a true friend to you, John.” “Well, I’ve got my eyes open at last, Nannie--thanks to you.” “Oh, John, if I didn’t have to think about how Lucy is treating you. She--she’s not--her morbidness is really bad for Jimmie, too. But then you bear everything so nobly. You are--oh, I don’t know what to call it! If all men had your patience and forbearance this world would be a very different place for some of us. _I_ appreciate it for her if she don’t for herself.” There was a catch in Nannie’s voice. “You’ve had nothing from me you don’t deserve, Nannie.” John did not look at her as he spoke. “I’ve always tried to help you and study your interests, John. I feel so grateful to you. I’ll never forget how kind and good you’ve been to me. You’ve been better than anyone else in the world----” “I don’t see how anybody could help being good to you, Nannie.” At this juncture Lucy appeared on the stairs with Dimmie. Almost simultaneously Katy thrust her head through the dining room doorway. “Dinnah’s ready, Miss Nannie. Kin I put it on de table?” she inquired. “Don’t ask _me_, Katy,” said Nannie peevishly. “Mrs. Winter is your mistress. You’ll have to ask her.” “Yes, Katy, you may serve dinner,” Lucy put in quietly. Just as the family were seating themselves there was a clap of thunder. Katy waddled from one window to another, lowering the sashes. As she closed the last a flurry of rain spattered on the glass.