"Well, you go indoors, and we'll see. If I don't follow you in five minutes, you'll know you're right." "Friend," said I, "the indecency of your suggestion is almost grotesque. To impose upon a timid, trusting Thou is either base or dastardly--I forget which. I am glad none of the others were here to hear what I feel sure to have been but a thoughtless, idle word. I shan't say anything about it, so no one, except you and me, will ever know; and even if I cannot ever forget, I shall come to forgive it in years to come." "Time will heal the wound, brother. Till then, where's the jig-saw?" "An evil beast hath devoured it. It is, without doubt, rent in pieces." "In which case I shall prefer a bill of indictment against you as accessory for mutilation next autumn assize. I warn you." "Thanks! I shall see you at dinner, shan't I? Not that I want to, but I just shall." Berry sighed. "From your manner, more than from what you say, anyone would think you wanted me to go, old chap. Of course, I know you, so it doesn't matter; but you ought to be more careful. No, I've not taken offence, because I know none was meant; but I'm going to go just to teach you a lesson. Yes, I am. Give my love to Thou, won't you?" "Certainly not! She's had one shock already this afternoon." "Oh, was to-day the first time she'd seen you?" He strolled back to the house. When I heard his footsteps on the gravel again, I got up and peered through the rhododendrons. I watched him go indoors, and turned to see the girl once more on her knees by the jig-saw. I kneeled opposite her and watched her at work. After a moment she glanced up and met my eyes. "You'll see the picture better from this side," she said. "Which picture?" "Round you come!" I crawled to her side with a sigh. On she went at a wonderful pace. Old elms rose up in the background, a splash of red and brown resolved itself into a sunny farm, and four pieces which Berry had recognized as water went to make up a sheltered haystack. When it was nearly finished, she leaned across me and looked at my wrist-watch. "I'll just have time," she whispered half to herself. "Only just?" "Only just. Did you speak?" "Yes, I did. I said 'Damn!' And I'll say it again." She leaned on my shoulder and laughed for a second. Then: "I'm sure you wouldn't find that in the Rubaiyat." "Perhaps Thou didn't have to be back in time for dinner." She fell to work again, but I could see she was smiling. The loose pieces left were very few now. A tuft of grass fell into place, a wisp of smoke stole out of the farmhouse chimney, a quick-set hedge sprang up in the distance, landscape and sky merged on the horizon, and the thing was done. She sat back on her heels and regarded it for a moment. Then she slipped sideways on to the lawn, smoothed down her frock, and looked at me. "Not bad, is it?" she said. "It's sweet!" "You ought to see the original."