"That's not all I've done," said Quin. "What are you going to say when I tell you I've sold him a farm?" "A farm? You've got no farm; and he had no money to buy it, if you had." "That's all right. He has had a farm for three months. You ought to see him--up at six o'clock every morning looking after things, and so keen about getting back to it in the evening that he never thinks about going to the club or staying in town." "What's all this nonsense you are talking?" "It's not nonsense. He's bought a little place out near Anchordale. They are living there." "And they did this without consulting me!" Madam's eyes blazed. "Why, he is no more capable of running a farm than a ten-year-old child! I have fought it for years. He knew perfectly well if he told me I'd stop it instantly. He will appeal to me to help out within six months, you'll see! I sha'n't do it! I'll show my children if they can do without me that I can go without them." She was working herself into a fine rage. The aigrette on her bonnet quivered, and the black velvet band about her neck was getting so tight that it looked as if it couldn't stand the strain much longer. "Why didn't he write me?" she stormed. "Am I too old and decrepit to be consulted any more? Is he going to follow Enid's high-handed way of deciding things without the slightest reference to my wishes?" "I expect he is," said Quin cheerfully. "You see, you can't stiffen a fellow's backbone, as you call it, for one thing and not another. When he found out he could stop drinking, he decided he could do other things as well. He's started a chicken farm." Madam groaned: "Of course. I never knew a fool that sooner or later didn't gravitate to chickens. He will get an incubator next." "He has two already. He and Mrs. Ranny are studying out the whole business scientifically." "And I suppose they've got a rabbit hutch, and a monkey, and some white mice?" "Not quite. But they've got a nice place. Want to go out with me next Saturday and see 'em?" "I do not. I'm not interested in menageries. I never expect to cross the threshold." Quin pulled up the cape that had slipped from her shoulder, and adjusted it carefully. "When Mr. Ranny comes in to see you," he said, "I hope you won't ball him out right away. He's awful keen on this stunt, you know. It sort of takes the place of the things he has given up." Madam glared straight ahead of her for a few moments, then she said curtly: "I'll not mention it until he does." "Oh, but I _want_ you to. He's as nervous as a witch about how you are going to take it. You see, he thinks more of your opinion than he does of anybody's, and he wants your approval. If you could jump right in and say you think it's a bully idea, and that you are coming out to see what he has done, and----" "Do you want me to lie?" Madam demanded fiercely.