As soon as he was alone Gray eagerly reread his telegram from Wichita Falls. It was from Barbara Parker--the first, by the way, that he had ever received--and he smiled at the girl's effort to be thoroughly businesslike, and at the same time to convey the full urgency of her message. Why had she economized on words when every one was precious to him? Buy that well? Of course he would, if she so earnestly desired it. But what was better by far than the prospect of a profitable purchase was the fact of her personal interest in him. When it came to the last line of her message, "Bob" had plunged into a ten-word riot of extravagance. "The bird is darling. I have named him after you." Gray wondered if these words really meant what they seemed to imply, or if it was merely her bubbling, enthusiasm that spoke. Well, he would soon find out. Already he had wasted too much time on the Briskows--a man's duty ever lies in the way of his desire--but once he had rounded up Buddy perhaps the family would be able to take care of itself. He hoped so, for it was assuming the character of a liability. It was late that night. The southbound flyer had gone through. The Briskows were sitting in the pleasant parlor of their handsome suite, but they were like three mourners. Ma and Pa were soberly discussing the news about Buddy, Allegheny was staring in somber meditation at nothing. The girl was bitter, rebellious, for never had she felt so utterly alone as at this moment. To that question which monotonously repeated itself, she could form no answer. Did he care, or was it all pity--just his way? She heard his name and her own mentioned, and she became attentive. "What's that? He wants me to meet these people halfway?" she inquired. "What for? I don't like 'em." "He says you'll git to like 'em, an' they'll git to like you. He says you're goin' ahead tremendous, and we'll all be proud of you. Mebbe you'll meet some nice young feller--" "He said that, did he?" Allie's voice was sharp. "N-not exactly, but--" "He asked 'em to be nice to me--he fixed it all up. Is that it? I got lots of money; some man 'll make love to me and I'll--I'll fall in love with him. Is that what he said?" "He didn't put it that way. What he said was more--" Allegheny rose with an exclamation of anger. "Well, I won't meet 'em. He'd better mind his own business." "Why, _Allie_!" the mother exclaimed, in mild reproach.