Molly showed him an angry face. "You're not a woman, so you can't judge," she replied. "Thank God for that!" retorted Morse. "We wouldn't have had any of this trouble," he continued, at length, "if you'd let me know about the boy. There's no excuse for you, absolutely none. You know very well I would have come back." All the softness in the woman turned to hardness. "How many times," she flamed, "must I tell you I was too angry to write or beg you to come, Jordan?... I've told you over and over." "And with all you say, I can't understand it. Are you going to impart your precious past to Theodore?" "No," replied Molly, setting her lips. Presently Morse laughed provokingly. "How you women do count your chickens before they're hatched! Where did you get the idea Theodore was going to ask you to marry him?" "I'll make him," breathed Molly, with confidence. "Well, go ahead," bantered Morse. "All I ask for releasing you is that you'll help me rid myself of my beautiful niece, Virginia, at the same time ridding yourself, my lady, and give me my boy when we find him." His tones in the first part of the speech were mocking, but Molly noted when he said "boy" his voice softened. She looked at him wonderingly. What a strange mixture of good and evil he was! When he got up to leave, she was not sorry. She watched him stride away with a deep sigh of relief. She was still sitting in the summer house when Theodore King swung his motor through the gate and drew up before the porch. He jumped out, wiped his face, saw Molly, and smiled. "Well, it's cool here," he said, walking toward her. "Yes," said Molly. "Come and sit down a minute." Theodore looked doubtfully at the house. "I really ought to do some writing, but I'll sit a while if you like. I passed Jordan on the way home." Molly nodded, and Theodore quizzed her with laughing eyes. "Isn't he coming pretty often?" he asked. "Jordan's got prospects, Molly! If his niece isn't found, you know, he'll have a fortune.... Better set your cap for him." Molly blushed under his words, trying not to show her resentment. Was Theodore a perfect fool? Couldn't he see she desired no one but himself, and him alone? "Jordan doesn't care for me that way," she observed with dignity, "and I don't care for him." Theodore flicked an ash from his cigar. "I think you're mistaken, Molly--I mean as far as he is concerned." "I'm not! Of course, I'm not! Oh, Theodore, I've been wanting to ask you something for a long time. I do want to go back home for a day.... Would you take me?" Theodore eyed her through wreaths of blue smoke. "Well, I might," he hesitated, "but hadn't you better ask Jordan? I'm afraid he wouldn't like me----" Molly got up so quickly that Theodore, surprised, got up too. "I don't want Jordan, and I do want you," she said emphatically. "Of course if you don't care to go----"