"Oh, yes. The long-legged, light-haired fellow that aids and abets my brother in overworking." "That's the very one. I must tell you that he's heart and soul in love with Linda." "H'm. I suppose so. I only wish she'd marry him and live out on Sheridan Road somewhere, then I could live with my brother and take care of him winters. He'd get some care then. Are they engaged?" "Oh, no. She's just out of school. He hasn't asked her yet." "What's the matter with him? Is he the kind with boiled macaroni for a backbone?" "No, Bertram's backbone is all right. He wanted to let her get out of school. He has no relations but me. He had to confide in somebody." "Well, he'll get all that's coming to him if he marries her." Miss Barry sniffed. "I guess if there was a prize offered for arrogance she'd get it. I speak plain because you're fond of her, and you're aware that you know her much better than I do, so I couldn't set you against her even if I wanted to; and _I_ need somebody to confide in too." Mrs. Porter smiled. "You'll change your tune some day. Linda has lots of goods that aren't in the show window." Miss Barry nodded. "If she keeps her distance I may change in time. It all depends on that." The visitor could picture how in little things the high-spirited, popular girl might have shown tactlessness during the holidays, and created an impression on the taciturn aunt which it would be hard to efface. Words could never do it, she realized, and wisely forbore to say more. Dinner was over, and the visitor was just considering that during the process of social dishwashing she could broach the subject of a boarding-place, when Jerry Holt's steed again approached the shingled cottage. Both women discerned him at the same moment. "Did you tell Jerry to come back for you? You can't go yet," said Miss Barry. "I didn't, but it might be a good plan for him to take me the rounds." "What rounds?" "Of possible boarding-places." Miss Barry did not reply, for she had to answer the knock at the door. There stood Captain Holt, holding a telegram gingerly between his thumb and finger, and his sea-blue eyes gazed straight into Belinda's. "I want you should bear up, Belinda," he said kindly. "There ain't no other way." His voice shook a little, and Miss Barry turned pale as she took the sinister envelope. Mrs. Porter heard his words, and hastening to her hostess stood beside her as she tore open the telegram. Captain Holt's heavy hand closed the door slowly, with exceeding care, as he shut himself out. Mrs. Porter's arm stole around the other woman as she read the message:-- Mr. Barry died last night. Please come at once. HENRY RADCLIFFE. Miss Barry's limbs shook under her, and she tottered to a chair. Captain Holt sat on the edge of the piazza and bit a blade of grass while he waited. In the silence a pall seemed to fall over the little house, broken only by the sharp rending apart of mounting waves against the rocks.