"And worry every minute he's gone," Deborah retorted, "and come back and work day and night to catch up. But he isn't going to do it. I've decided to take the children myself." "You have?" cried Bruce delightedly. "You'll do no such thing," said Allan, indignant. "Oh, you go to thunder," Bruce put in. "Haven't you any delicacy? Can't you see this is no business of yours?" "It isn't, eh," Allan sternly rejoined. And of Deborah he demanded, "Didn't you say you'd go with me to 'Pinafore' this Saturday night?" "Ah," sneered Bruce. "So that's your game. And for one little night of your pleasure you'd do me out of a week of my life!" "Like that," said Baird, with a snap of his fingers. "I'm going, though," said Deborah. "Quite right, little woman," Bruce admonished her earnestly. "Don't let him rob you of your happiness." "Come here," growled Baird to Deborah. She followed him into the living room, and Roger went upstairs with Bruce. "If he ever hopes to marry that girl," said Bruce, with an anxious backward glance, "he's got to learn to treat her with a little consideration." "Quit your quarreling," Roger said. "What's a week in the mountains to you? Hasn't your wife just risked her life?" "Sure she has," said Bruce feelingly. "And I propose to stick by her, too." "Can I see her?" "No, you can't--another of Baird's fool notions." "Then where's the baby?" "Right in here." Silently in front of the cradle Bruce and Roger stood looking down with the content which comes to men on such occasions when there is no woman by their side expecting them to say things. "I made it a rule in my family," Roger spoke up presently, "to have my first look at each child alone." "Same here," said Bruce. And they continued their silent communion. A few moments later, as they were leaving, Deborah came into the room and went softly to the cradle. Downstairs they found that Allan had gone, and when Deborah rejoined them she said she was going to stick to her plan. It was soon arranged that she and the youngsters should start on their journey the following day. Back at home she threw herself into the packing and was busy till late that night. At daybreak she was up again, for they were to make an early start. Bruce came with his new automobile, the children were all bundled in, together with Deborah and their nurse, and a half hour later at the train Bruce and Roger left them--Deborah flushed and happy, surrounded by luggage, wraps, small boys, an ice box, toys and picture books. The small red hat upon her head had already been jerked in a scrimmage, far down over one of her ears. "Don't worry about us, Bruce," she said. "We're going to have the time of our lives!" Bruce fairly beamed his gratitude. "If she don't marry," he declared, as he watched the train move slowly out, "there'll be a great mother wasted." CHAPTER VII