"My boy," he muttered earnestly, "you and I must stick together." "We sure must," agreed his son-in-law. "And what's more, if we're to keep the peace, we've got to try to put some punch into Deborah's so-called love affair. She ought to get married and settle down." "Yes," said Roger, dubiously. "Only let's keep it to ourselves." "No chance of that," was the cheerful reply. "You can't keep Edith out of it. It would only make trouble in _my_ family." Roger gave him a pitying look and said, "Then, for the Lord's sake, let her in!" So they took Edith into their councils, and she gave them an indulgent smile. "Suppose you leave this to me," she commanded. "Don't you think I've been using my eyes? There's no earthly use in stepping in now, for Deborah has lost her head. She sees herself a great new woman with a career. But wait till the present flare-up subsides, till the newspapers all drop her and she is thoroughly tired out. Until then, remember, we keep our hands off." "Do you think you can?" asked Roger, with a little glimmer of hope. "I?" she retorted. "Most certainly! I mean to leave her alone absolutely--until she comes to me herself. When she does, we'll know it's time to begin." * * * * * "I'm afraid Edith is hurt about something," said Deborah to her father, about a month after this little talk. "She hasn't been near us for over three weeks." "Let her be!" said Roger, in alarm. "I mean," he hastily added, "why can't you let Edith come when she likes? There's nothing the matter. It's simply her children--they take up her time." "No," said Deborah calmly, "it's I. She as good as told me so last month. She thinks I've become a perfect fanatic--without a spare moment or thought for my family." "Oh, my family!" Roger groaned. "I tell you, Deborah, you're wrong! Edith's children are probably sick in bed!" "Then I'll go and see," she answered. * * * * * "Something has happened to Deborah," Edith informed him blithely, over the telephone the next night. "Has, eh," grunted Roger. "Yes, she was here to see me to-day. And something has happened--she's changing fast. I felt it in all kinds of ways. She was just as dear as she could be--and lonely, as though she were feeling her age. I really think we can do something now." "All right, let's do something," Roger growled.