"The maids probably get any amount of fun out of it," mused Rachael. Vera was notably generous to her servants: a certain pool was reserved for them, and their numbers formed a most congenial society every summer. "I don't believe I'll go to Vera's this year," Mrs. Breckenridge said aloud to her husband and stepdaughter. "I'm not crazy about it," Billy agreed fretfully. "Might as well," was the man's enthusiastic contribution. "Oh, I'm GOING!" Billy said discontentedly. "But I don't see why you and Rachael have to go." "Don't you?" her father said significantly. "Joe Pickering's going to be in Texas this whole summer, if that's what you mean!" flamed Billy. "I'm glad to hear it," Clarence commented. "Anyway, you might depend upon Vera to take absolute good care of Bill," Rachael said soothingly. "It's time you both got away to some cooler place, if you are going to fight so about nothing! Why do you do it? Billy can't marry anyone for eleven months, and if she wants to marry the man in the moon then you can't stop her. So there you are!" "And I'm capable of running my own affairs," finished Billy with a look far from filial. "You only waste your breath arguing with Clarence when he's got one of his headaches," Rachael said to her stepdaughter an hour or two later when they were spinning smoothly into the city for the planned shopping. "Of course he'll go to Vera's, and of course you'll go, too! Just don't tease him when he's all upset." "Well, what does he drink and smoke so much, and get this way for?" Billy demanded sullenly. "What does anybody do it for?" Rachael countered. And a second later her singing heart was with Gregory again. He did not do it! She entered into Billy's purchasing perplexities with great sympathy; a successful hat was found, several deliciously extravagant and fragile dresses for camping. "You're awfully decent about all this, Rachael." Billy said once; "it must be a sweet life we lead you sometimes!" Something in the girl's young glance touched Rachael strangely. They were in the car again now, going toward Mrs. Gregory's handsome, old-fashioned house on Washington Square. Rachael was inspired to seize the propitious second. "Listen, Bill," she said, and paused. Billy eyed her curiously. Obtuse as she was, a certain change in Rachael had not entirely escaped the younger woman. "Well?" she asked, on guard. "Well--" Rachael faltered. Motherly advice was not much in her line. "It's just this, Bill," she resumed slowly, "when you think of marriage, don't think of just a few weeks or a few months; think of all the time. Think of other things than just--that sort of--love. Children, you know, and--and books, don't you know? Things that count. Be--I don't say be guided entirely by what your father and lots of other persons think, but be influenced by it! Realize that we have no motive but--but affection, in advising you to be sure."