“I'm afraid I'm awful late, 'Bishy,” she said. “Have you had your supper?” Kyan was too perturbed to venture a reply. The sword above his head was quivering on its single hair and he was preparing to dodge the fall. But it did not fall. “You haven't had any supper, have you?” purred Miss Pepper pityingly. “It's too bad. You poor thing! you must be awful hungry.” She moved across the room and kissed him. Abishai, who had prepared himself for a different sort of greeting, clutched his chair with both hands. He looked as if he might faint. The minister gazed open-mouthed. “I'm awful sorry, Mr. Ellery,” gushed Lavinia, removing the bonnet. “You see, I was invited out to ride this afternoon and--and--I went.” She glanced at her brother, reddened--yes, almost blushed--and continued. “You know, 'Bishy,” she said “Thankful Payne's cousin's home avisitin' her. He come about that cousin's will--the other cousin that's just died. He's a reel nice man--her live cousin is--keeps a shoe store up to Sandwich, and I used to know him years ago. When I was over to Thankful's t'other day, him and me had quite a talk. We got speakin' of what nice drives there was around Trumet and--and--er--well, he asked me if I wouldn't like to go to ride next Sunday afternoon--that's to-day. And a ride bein' a good deal of a treat to me, I said I would. Thankful was goin', too, but--er--er--she couldn't very well. So Caleb--that's his name, you remember, 'Bishy--he come round with his horse and team about ha'f past three and we started. But I'd no IDEE 'twas so late. I--I--meant to tell you I was goin', 'Bish, but I forgot.” Kyan had listened to this recital, or explanation, or apology, with a curious succession of expressions passing over his face. He swallowed two or three times, but did not interrupt. “I'm so sorry I kept you waitin' supper,” gushed Lavinia. “I'll get you a good one now. Oh, well, deary me! I must be gettin' absent-minded. I ain't asked you where you've been all the afternoon.” Abishai's eyes turned beseechingly toward his promised backer. Ellery could not resist that mute appeal. “Your brother has been with me for some time, Miss Pepper,” he volunteered. “Oh, has he? Ain't that nice! He couldn't have been in better comp'ny, I'm sure. But oh, say, 'Bishy! I ain't told you how nigh I come to not gettin' out at all. Just afore Mr. Payne come, I was in that spare room and--you remember I put a spring lock on that door?” It was here at last. The long-dreaded explosion was imminent. Kyan's chin shook. He braced himself for the blow. The minister prepared to come to the rescue. “Yes,” went on Lavinia. “I--I put a lock on that door so's I--I could shut the room up when I wanted to. Well, when I was in there this afternoon the wind blew the door shut and--Hey?” “I--I never said nothin',” panted Kyan.