He held open the door for her, and watched her graceful figure pass up the stairs, then he went back to his smoking-room. At half-past eight the next morning, he was in the nursery holding his boy in his arms. And once again Anstice was called in to take part in a discussion. "Ruffie wants to know whether he can have any boating this summer. Last year I was home, and we were on the water a good bit. I have told him he must ask you." "Of course we'll go on the lake," said Anstice promptly; "I can row, and with Stephen, we'll have some lovely picnics." Ruffie looked up at her with what she mentally dubbed his "Pucks" expression. "Can you swim?" he asked. "Yes." He gave a little wriggle of disgust and muttered: "I s'pect you're a kind of witch that can't be got rid of!" She caught the words, but his father did not. Then Ruffie glanced up at Justin. "We're going to have a big talk with her to-night, all of us—dressed in feathers like Indians. Josie is making Hal kill two cocks, so that we can get their tail feathers." "What are you going to talk about?" said his father idly. "We're going to discuss the situation," explained Anstice. "What situation?" "That of a strange woman coming to take possession of a strange house, and make friends with its belongings. We're going thoroughly to thrash out the subject, and hear all sides of the question." Then Justin smiled. "I wish you good luck. Now, my boy, I must go." "Oh, Dad!" The little arms were flung round his neck tightly, and the golden head buried against his shoulder. "Why do you leave us so much? Why can't you take me with you? Why do you bring this new person here and leave her? If she won't leave us, what shall we do? Oh, Dad, will you never come and live with us prop'ly?" Anstice slipped away, leaving father and son together. There was no question of their affection for each other, but the little girls seemed supremely indifferent to their father's presence or absence. She heard them as she went into the dining-room to breakfast, calling to Hercules; and there were sounds of great disturbance in the poultry yard. Yet Anstice felt thankful that her proposition had found favour in their eyes. Justin made a hurried breakfast. Then the car arrived, and his luggage was taken out. He turned to his wife. "Well, this is good-bye for about six months. I hope you won't regret the step you've taken." He held her hand in his for a moment, and Anstice faced him with sweet, resolute eyes. "I don't think I shall regret it," she said, "for I shall have plenty to do, and I am always happy when I am busy." Then he surprised her by stooping, and giving her a swift kiss on her cheek. "A husband's privilege," he said with a queer little smile about his lips. Anstice's colour had risen. "But not necessary," she said, "and I would rather say a partner—hardly a husband." "Good-bye, Dad. Bring us some presents when you come back," sang out Georgie.