"Only to Worthington Square," laughed Jane. "It’s Shirley’s birthday, too, and we’re all to be there at dinner. Why, you must know! You ’ve just come from there." "That is a joke on me. I rang--no latch-key, you know--and a new maid I ’ve never seen let me in. I saw everything lighted up and flowers all about, and asked if they were entertaining. She said they were, and everybody was dressing. So I just turned and ran, thinking I ’d slip over here and see you first, since I could n’t see much of my family till the affair was over. Well, well--so I may spend the evening in your company. Talk about luck!" They stood there, exchanging questions and replies in the laughing, disconnected way in which people are wont to address each other in the first excitement of an unexpected and welcome meeting, neither of them knowing quite what they were saying, but each feeling that something of great importance had happened. Then Jane gathered up her wraps and Shirley’s gift, and said, with a startled glance at the clock, "It is later than I thought! We must go this minute." "Shall I put out the light?" and Murray strode across the floor. Jane noted with gladness that his walk was the walk of a strong man. They crossed the street to the hedge gate, and came to the side entrance. As he put his thumb to the bell, Murray said, half under his breath, "I’ve imagined all sorts of home-comings, but never one quite so nice as this. To make my entrance with you----" "Oh, you ’re not going to make it with me!" said Jane, gaily. "I shall stay in the dining-room, arranging Shirley’s plate, until you are safe in the midst of them." And plead as he would, Murray found there was no way to make her change this decision. So, at last, hearing the voices of the others in the big hall, where they were gathered about the fireplace, in which roared a royal October fire, he went to the door and opened it a crack. From this position, he looked back at Jane, where she stood by Shirley’s chair watching him across the gala decorations of roses which crowned the handsome table. "I ’m at home again!" he called to her softly, and she nodded, smiling. Then, hat in hand, he threw the door wide and marched through, shoulders back, head up, eyes intent upon the faces which, at the opening of the door, had turned that way. CHAPTER X HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure. Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.