Hazel sorted her keys, choosing out one, changing it for another, then swinging the bunch by a third and putting the rest in a certain sequence. Then she turned suddenly round, growing more pink- cheeked than before. 'I did not know you were here!' 'Pray what then?' said he smiling. 'Are you at leisure for breakfast?' 'I usually am, at this time in the morning. And to-day is not an exception.' Hazel sounded her whistle. 'Will you be at leisure _after_ breakfast, Mr. Rollo?' 'Depends on what meaning you attach to the words.' 'As we are not in theological—neither scientific—regions, you might answer closer than that,' said Hazel. 'Well have you time for a long excursion into parts unknown?' 'Where?' 'I thought,' said the girl, swaying her keys softly and looking down at them—'Would you like— At least, shall I take you over the house after breakfast?' 'You shall take me anywhere you please. Why over the house? Does anything need repair?' 'You have never seen it all,—you do not know where you are, yet. Nor what you have to work with.' 'To work with?' Dane repeated looking at her. 'It strikes me the house is for you to work with. I have six mills to run.' 'Yes, but—' Hazel threw off her first words with a laugh, and chose others. 'Not just as it used to be, you know,' she said sedately. 'And part of it has been shut up,—and you have never seen the whole. And if I am to be house steward——' Dingee came in with the breakfast, and Wych Hazel turned off to that. It pleased Dane to let her take her own time to explain herself on this occasion; he would not hurry her. So he talked of other things until breakfast was over. He had seen Heinert already, and the change in him was wonderful. Feeling thoroughly at home in his old chum's house, he was as happy as a child; not cumbering himself with what he would do when he got well, which now he securely expected to do. It might be some time first; for the present Heinert was happy; and Hazel would see him at luncheon. And, meantime, she had quite forgotten his existence in more pressing things. 'I want you to see all the house,' she said, handling her keys again; 'because then you will know—what you want done. And so shall I.' 'I do not want anything done,' said Rollo, looking for the meaning of all this, which as yet he did not see. 'Yes you do,' said Hazel. 'Or you will. All sorts of things. So come.' But instead of that, he put his arm round her and drew her to his side, looking into her changing face. 'Who said you were to be a house steward.' 'Must a thing be said in order to be true?' 'No. But generally speaking, it had better not be said unless it is true. Nicht?' 'I suppose I must be something!' said Hazel, with that pretty half laugh which covered so many thoughts. 'Yes,' said he laughing and stooping to kiss her. 'Do you want me to tell you what?' 'Keeping strictly to fact and not fancy—'