One of the guests was a Miss Powell, a voluptuous and very smartly dressed brunette. She was evidently impressed with Nannie. “I suppose you will find it hard to stay long away from Russellville, even to be with your daughter,” remarked the new acquaintance. “Oh, I hope to stay a _little_ while yet, Miss Powell,” returned Nannie laughing. “It’s been so long since we could arrange it to be together and we are both enjoying it,” she declared, becoming serious. When the guests had gone, Lucy bravely attacked the huge pile of dishes in the kitchen sink. “Are there any sandwiches left, Lucy?” Mrs. Merwent inquired, entering the room where Lucy was in the midst of her work. Lucy indicated a plate which had been set aside with the idea that it might contribute to the morrow’s luncheon. “We’ve been in such a rush all day that I’ve hardly had time to eat anything,” Nannie explained as she helped herself to the largest sandwich. “I wish you would leave all those things until I get back. I promised to meet John,” she went on as she selected her second sandwich. “I must finish up and put dinner on,” Lucy informed her mother somewhat irritably. Mrs. Merwent halted in the kitchen doorway. “I hope you aren’t displeased because I promised to meet John,” she challenged resentfully. “Oh, Mamma, please don’t start any argument now!” Lucy exclaimed. Nannie gave her daughter a reproachful glance and turned away without speaking, even the set of her shoulders as she left the room expressing offended virtue. She changed her frock and went to meet John’s train as she had been in the habit of doing. When he alighted from the car it was not yet dusk. Nannie stepped out of the crowd to greet him. They smiled at each other, and a few moments later were walking back to the house together, their arms linked. “Keep step, Nannie.” John, amused by the shortness of her stride, admonished her gaily. Mrs. Merwent looked up at him and they both laughed. “You have to work so hard, yet no matter how tired you are you are so cheerful, John,” she said. “It ought to make Lucy and me ashamed of ourselves.” “What’s the matter with you and Lucy?” John asked, the cheerful note dying out of his voice. Nannie gave him a quick side look. “Why, nothing, John, except that Lucy is upset by her day, I suppose. She’s irritable now and then, you know, but I certainly don’t hold it against her.” There was silence for a moment. “John,” Nannie continued diffidently, “Lucy misunderstands so many things----I’ve been wanting to ask you a favor and I didn’t dare do it!” John glanced down at her. “I’m not afraid of Lucy if you are, Nannie,” he protested, smiling, but with his brows still fretfully corrugated. “I want you to cash a check for me. It--it--Professor Walsh was the only person I could go to for help, John, and he has been kind enough to take charge of my financial affairs. I know so little of such things. The check is from him,” she finished apologetically.