"It's all right, Teddie--you were always volcanic. I believe you're the kind of fellow that would win the V.C." "I think," said Mrs. Vernley breathing freely again, "that it is very silly to take things as seriously as this--there won't be a war." "Grey'll settle it," said John. "We hope so," added Mr. Vernley, folding up his paper. "But I shall go to town to-morrow to be at the centre of things and I shall wire to Muriel." "But she will be home in a week, father," cried Mrs. Vernley. "And she's quite safe in Belgium," declared Bobbie. "Perhaps--I hope so, but it's too near the storm centre," replied Mr. Vernley. "And now, my dear, what about lunch?" Walking back to the house, John expressed fears about Muriel to Bobbie. "Oh, she's all right," he replied, confidently. "The guv'nor always takes a serious attitude to things--it's a parliamentary habit, Scissors--and Muriel can look after herself." Marsh walked silently with them. He seemed depressed. The sky was blue, the sun shining, but John felt the air was heavy. He slipped his arm through Marsh's. V Rumours followed rumours, and one morning as John came down into the hall before breakfast, Tilly met him. She looked very attractive and girlish in her white jersey with its blue collar encircling her pretty neck. John could understand Lindon's infatuation. He had watched her slim figure in the water, a graceful sprite, so light and vivacious that she might have been a fairy's child. Her cream skirt this morning was short, revealing two shapely legs in white stockings, and he could not help looking intently at the little bare patch beneath her throat, red with the sun, running down to a channel of milky whiteness, dimpled by the suggested proximity of her breasts. She noticed his admiring observation, and placed her hand, light as a bird on his arm. "Scissors, what do you think--Tod's going to town with Mr. Vernley this morning! I tell him he'll spoil the men's four we arranged to play the doctor's friends." "To town, whatever for?" "I don't know, you persuade him to stay." "Righto--where is he?" Tilly nodded towards the dining room. John walked in, and as he did so, he realised something. "Morning, Tod!" he called brightly. "I hear you're going to town." "Yes, Scissors--I've got to see a few friends." "Oh--you'll be coming back before I go?" "Oh, yes--" At that moment Bobbie burst in. "I say, Tod, what's this nonsense about going to town! You simply can't, you'll bust up the--" He caught a glance from John that checked him. "I must see some friends," said Tod. "I'll be back in a few days." "Oh, very well," assented Bobbie, lamely. John had gone out. He followed quickly, overtaking him in the hall. "What on earth did you look like that for, Scissors?" he asked. John drew him aside from where Mrs. Vernley stood watering a flower pot. "I thought you did not realise." "Realise what?" asked Vernley.