There was a good deal more advice of the same nature, some of which Rex heard and some he didn’t. One fact, however, was clear to him. He was going to have it out with Irene, and about a quarter past ten he started for Mrs. Parks’ house, walking slowly and not at all as an ardent lover walks when going to woo his mistress. He did not feel very ardent, although he tried to work himself up to a proper state of mind and to remember what Colin had told him to say and do. But nothing came to him except that he must take her hand, which would make him feel kind of all over. He had held her hand and he didn’t feel all over, the way Colin meant. It was usually rather cold and he never cared to hold it long. It made him sweaty and nervous. “And yet it is a handsome hand, well shaped and white and large—large as mine, I do believe,” he said, holding up both his rather small hands for a moment and remembering suddenly the little ones he had seen picking pine-needles from Tom’s coat. “Happy Tom and fool me!” he said aloud, quickening his steps until he reached the gate just as Sam came dashing up with Black Beauty who, not having been driven for a day or two, pawed the ground impatiently, anxious to be off. “Good-morning, Mr. Travers,” Sam said. “If you are going in won’t you hurry Miss Burdick up. We haven’t much time to catch the train.” “Hurry Miss Burdick,” Rex repeated. “What do you mean? Where is she going?” “To New York, I s’pose. She’s had a telegraph,” Sam answered, while Rex went rapidly to the house where he met Irene and Rena coming down the stairs with Mrs. Parks bringing the hat-box. Irene was crying—partly for Johnnie and partly for what she felt she was losing by being compelled to go home. “What is it?” Rex asked. “What has happened? Sam tells me you are going to New York.” At the mention of New York Irene caught eagerly. Her mind always worked rapidly, and if Rex thought she was going to New York it was not necessary to undeceive him and tell him she was going to Claremont—a place he had probably never heard of—so she answered: “My brother is very ill and I must go to him.” “Your brother! I did not know you had one,” Rex said, in some surprise. “Yes, I have, and he is dying,” Irene answered, with a sob, while Rex looked puzzled, as we all were with the brother business, but had no time to ask questions. “And are you going with her?” Rex said to Rena, who replied: “Only to the station.” “But she must not go alone. I shall go with her if you do not,” Rex continued. “I can telegraph Mr. McPherson.”