"That's good of Deborah," she replied. And after another pause: "But take her home with you--will you? I'd rather not have her here to-night." "I think she'd better stay, my dear." "All right." In a tone of weariness. "Madge Deering called me up to-night. She's coming in town to-morrow, and she means to stay till I go." "I'm glad," he said approvingly. Madge had been a widow for years. Living out in Morristown with four daughters to bring up, she had determinedly fought her way and had not only regained her hold but had even grown in strength and breadth since the death of her husband long ago. "I'm glad," he said. "You and Madge--" he paused. "Yes, we'll have a good deal in common," Edith finished out his thought. "You look tired, dad. Hadn't you better go home now?" she suggested after a moment. "Yes," said Roger, rising. "Good-night, my child. Remember." In the outer hallway he found Deborah with Laura. Laura had been here several times. She was getting Edith's mourning. "There's a love of a hat at Thurn's," she was saying softly, "if only we can get her to wear it. It's just her type." And Laura drew an anxious breath. "Anything," she added, "to escape that hideous heavy crepe." Roger slightly raised his brows. He noticed a faint delicious perfume that irritated him suddenly. But glancing again at his daughter, trim, fresh and so immaculate, the joy of life barely concealed in her eyes, he stopped and talked and smiled at her, as Deborah was doing, enjoying her beauty and her youth, her love and all her happiness. And though they spoke of her sister, she knew they were thinking of herself, and that it was quite right they should, for it gave them a little relief from their gloom. She was honestly sorry for Edith, but she was sorrier still for Bruce, who she knew had always liked her more than he would have cared to say. She was sorrier for Bruce because, while Edith had lost only her husband, Bruce had lost his very life. And life meant so much to Laura, these days, the glowing, coursing, vibrant life of her warm beautiful body. She was thinking of that as she stood in the hall. * * * * * In the evening, at home in his study, Roger heard a slight knock at the door. He looked up and saw John. "May I come in, Mr. Gale, for a minute?" "Yes, my boy." John hobbled in. "Only a minute." His voice was embarrassed. "Just two or three things I thought of," he said. "The first was about your son-in-law. You see, I was his stenographer--and while I was in his office--this morning helping Doctor Baird--I found a good deal I can do there still--about things no one remembers but me. So I'll stay there awhile, if it's all right. Only--" he paused--"without any pay. See what I mean?" "Yes, I see," said Roger. "And you'd better stay--in that way if you like."