"Had they heard about me?" Harry asked rather eagerly. "Or did you tell them? What did they say?" "Oh--er--awfully pleased," said Andy, rather confused. It seemed strange to remember how very little had been said on the wonderful topic. Somehow they had wandered off to other things. "I must give them all one more dinner," said Harry, smiling, "before I settle down." "Foot's brother was there--Gilly Foot--and--" "Did they ask what she was like?" "I--I don't quite remember--everybody was talking. Gilly Foot--" "I expect they were a bit surprised, weren't they?" "Oh yes, they seemed surprised." Andy was really trying to remember. "Yes, they did." "I don't think I've got the character of a marrying man," smiled Harry. "I hope you told them I meant business?" Harry rose to his feet with a laugh. "They used to rot a lot, you know." Harry was not to be got off the engrossing subject of himself, his past, and his future; evidently he could not imagine that the lunch-party had kept off these subjects either. With a smile Andy made up his mind not to trouble him with the matter of Gilly Foot. "I'll walk back with you as far as Halton gates," he said. "No, you won't, old chap," laughed Harry. "Vivien's been in the town and is going to call for me here, and I'm going to walk with her as far as Nutley gates--at least." Voices came from outside. "Wish you good evenin', miss!"--and a very timid "Good evening, Mr. Rock." Vivien and Jack! How was Vivien bearing the encounter? "There she is!" cried Harry, and ran out of the house, Andy following. "Ah, Jack, how are you? Why, you're looking like a two-year-old!" Jack indeed looked radiant as he made bold to offer his congratulations. He gave Harry his hand and a hearty squeeze, then looked at Vivien tentatively. She blushed, pulled herself together, and offered Jack her hand. The feat accomplished, she glanced quickly at Andy, blushing yet more deeply. He knew what was in her mind, and nodded his head at her in applause. In Harry's cause she had touched a butcher. "I like to see young folks happy. I like to see 'em get what they want, Mr. Harry." "You see before you one at least who has, Jack. I wonder if I may say two, Vivien? And I wish I could say three, Andy." "Maybe you wouldn't be so far wrong, Mr. Harry," chuckled Jack. "But that's neither here nor there, and I mustn't be keepin' you and your young lady." With blithe salutations the lovers went off. Andy watched them; they were good to see. He felt himself their friend--Vivien's as well as Harry's, for Vivien trusted him with her shy confidences. They were hard to leave--even as were the delights of London with its lunch-parties and the like. "Going for a walk, Jack?"