She set the table. A knife and fork, a spoon, the loaf of bread, the butter, the milk pitcher--and all the time she listened, listened for the step upon the path leading to her door, the step she was expecting--and dreading. And, at last, it came. She did not wait for a knock, but, hurrying through the sitting-room to the outer door, threw it open. Esther was standing there, as she expected, but she was not alone. Bob Griffin was with her. The words with which Reliance had intended welcoming her niece were not spoken. She said nothing. Esther did not wait for her to speak. She turned to her companion. “Go in, Bob,” she said, quickly. “Quick! before any one sees us.” She pushed by her aunt and entered the dining room. Griffin followed her. It was Esther, herself, who closed the door. “Are you alone, Auntie?” she asked, eagerly. “Where is Uncle Millard?” Reliance came out of her gaze with a start. “Eh?” she queried. “Who? Oh, Millard? He--he’s gone out for the evenin’; I told him to. And, if he knows what is good for him, he won’t be back for a long time.... Well!” with a long breath. “Well, Esther, you have surprised me this time, certain sure.” Esther did not understand. “Why, you expected me, didn’t you?” she cried. “You must have. I told Varunas to tell you I should come here to-night.... He brought my bag, didn’t he? He told me he did.” “Yes. Oh, yes, he brought it. It is here. And I expected you. But I--well, I didn’t expect any one else.” Her look at Griffin was significant. Bob noticed it and smiled. Of the three he alone seemed capable of smiling. Esther was pale and nervous and Reliance haggard and worn, after her night and day of shock and worry. Griffin was nervous also, but his face was flushed and his eyes bright. He was obviously excited and just as obviously neither downcast nor anxious. “You mean you didn’t expect me, Miss Clark,” he suggested. “Well, I don’t wonder at that. I surely did not expect to be here. I can scarcely believe it, even yet. Esther, shall I tell her? Or will you?” Before Esther could reply, Reliance, now thoroughly awake to the realities, put in a word. “Before you tell me anything,” she said, “I think we might as well begin to behave like common-sense folks and not stand in the middle of the floor, you with your things on and me with my kitchen apron. Mr. Griffin, take off your things. Sit down, both of you.” But, although she pulled forward a rocker and an armchair, they did not sit. Esther turned a troubled face to her escort. “I don’t think we had better, do you, Bob?” she asked. “We mustn’t stay here long. We must get away just as soon as we can.” Bob nodded emphatic agreement. “You are quite right, Esther,” he replied. “The sooner we get out of Harniss the better.” Reliance took a step toward them.