“Whew!” he exclaimed in evident relief. “That storm blew over quicker than I thought it would. The way he lit into me when I first came--and the queer way you both looked and acted when I walked into this room--made me wonder what had happened. What _is_ up, Esther?” She did not answer. His grin became a laugh. “Did you hear him give me that dig about painting pictures to give away?” he asked. “And that other one about not being grasping as some one else in the family? That was a whack at grandfather and the lawsuit, of course. I thought I might be in for a row, but he was pleasant enough when he said good-night. I wonder--” She surprised him then. “Oh, don’t!” she broke in, impatiently. “Don’t! He is the best, the kindest man in the whole world. Don’t you dare say he isn’t.” He looked at her in astonishment. Then he whistled. “Great Scott!” he exclaimed. “Don’t take my head off. I didn’t say he wasn’t good and kind and all that. I think he is. I rather like him, as a matter of fact; even if he doesn’t like me.” She turned upon him. “Now why do you say that?” she demanded. “If he doesn’t like you why does he let you come here--to this house? You haven’t any reason to say he doesn’t like you.” “Maybe not. Perhaps he does like me. I hope he does. I want him to. As for his letting me come here to see you, I must say it’s mighty decent of him. I doubt if I should, if I were in his place--considering who I am. Come, Esther, don’t pitch into me this way. What have I done?” She smiled then. “Oh, you haven’t done anything, Bob,” she said. “I am just--oh, excited and upset, that’s all. Uncle Foster has just told me the most wonderful thing. He is going to let me do what I have wanted to do for years and--and I ought to be very happy. I think I should be if it weren’t that I know how terribly lonely he is going to be without me.” “Without you! What do you mean by that? Are you going somewhere? Is this the big news he was hinting at? Why, Esther! You aren’t going away, are you?” She sat in the rocker. He was regarding her anxiously. She nodded. “Yes, Bob,” she said, gravely. “I am. I am going abroad to study. I didn’t know a word about it until a few minutes ago. Uncle has planned it all. I am going with Mrs. Carter and--” He interrupted. “What!” he cried. “You are going abroad?... When?” “I don’t know exactly. But very soon.” “How long are you going to stay there?” “I don’t know that, either. A year at least, I suppose. Perhaps longer.” “Indeed you are not!” “Why, Bob Griffin! What do you mean?” “I mean--well, never mind now. I guess I don’t know what I mean. Or, if I do, it can wait. Tell me all about it. Tell me!”