“Well, I mean, they never seem to come to anything.” Billie gazed wistfully at the counterpane. “Do you know, father, I’m beginning to think that I’m rather impulsive. I wish I didn’t do silly things in such a hurry.” “I don’t see where the hurry comes in as regards that Mortimer boy. You took ten years to make up your mind.” “I was not thinking of Bream. Another man.” “Great Heavens! Are you still imagining yourself in love with young Hignett?” “Oh, no! I can see now that I was never in love with poor Eustace. I was thinking of a man I got engaged to on the boat!” Mr. Bennett sat bolt upright in bed, and stared incredulously at his surprising daughter. His head was beginning to swim. “Of course I’ve misunderstood you,” he said. “There’s a catch somewhere and I haven’t seen it. But for a moment you gave me the impression that you had promised to marry some man on the boat!” “I did!” “But...!” Mr. Bennett was doing sums on his fingers. “Do you mean to tell me,” he demanded, having brought out the answer to his satisfaction, “do you mean to tell me that you have been engaged to three men in three weeks?” “Yes,” said Billie in a small voice. “Great Godfrey! Er——?” “No, only three.” Mr. Bennett sank back on to his pillow with a snort. “The trouble is,” continued Billie, “one does things and doesn’t know how one is going to feel about it afterwards. You can do an awful lot of thinking afterwards, father.” “I’m doing a lot of thinking now,” said Mr. Bennett with austerity. “You oughtn’t to be allowed to go around loose!” “Well, it doesn’t matter. I shall never get engaged again. I shall never love anyone again.” “Don’t tell me you are still in love with this boat man?” Billie nodded miserably. “I didn’t realise it till we came down here. But, as I sat and watched the rain, it suddenly came over me that I had thrown away my life’s happiness. It was as if I had been offered a wonderful jewel and had refused it. I seemed to hear a voice reproaching me and saying, ‘You have had your chance. It will never come again!’” “Don’t talk nonsense!” said Mr. Bennett. Billie stiffened. She had thought she had been talking rather well. Mr. Bennett was silent for a moment. Then he started up with an exclamation. The mention of Eustace Hignett had stirred his memory. “What’s young Hignett got wrong with him?” he asked. “Mumps.” “Mumps! Good God! Not mumps!” Mr. Bennett quailed. “I’ve never had mumps! One of the most infectious ... this is awful!... Oh, heavens! Why did I ever come to this lazar-house!” cried Mr. Bennett, shaken to his depths. “There isn’t the slightest danger, father, dear. Don’t be silly. If I were you, I should try to get a good sleep. You must be tired after this morning.” “Sleep! If I only could!” said Mr. Bennett, and did so five minutes after the door had closed.