"Hear, hear!" said Nick, with a whoop of delight. She laughed at his enthusiasm, and he suddenly recollected himself and entreated her to keep calm. "If Jim knew I had made you laugh, he'd kick me to a jelly, and give you a blue pill." Whereat she laughed a little more. "That would be more like Max than Daddy Jim." And there suddenly she stopped short, the colour flooding her pale face. "Why," she said, frowning confusedly, "I had forgotten Max too. How is Max?" "He's all right," said Nick lightly. "Shall I give him your love?" "Oh, no!" she said quickly. "Don't give him anything of mine! He--wouldn't understand." "All right, my chicken," said Nick, with cheery unconcern. "He's got a little brother in the East by the way. I wonder if we shall run across him." She did not echo the wonder. Her forehead was drawn in the old, painful lines, and she scarcely responded to the rest of his airy conversation. When Dr. Jim visited her later in the evening he grunted disapproval. "What's the matter now?" he asked her, with keen eyes on her troubled face. "I don't know," she murmured wistfully. "Yes, you do. Come, tell me!" He sat down on the edge of the bed with the evident determination to get at the root of the matter. She held back for a little, but finally, finding him obdurate, sat up and drew herself within the circle of his arm. "There, my dear! What is it?" said Dr. Jim. She hid her face on his shoulder. "Dad, it--it's something to do with Max," she whispered. "Max? Who is Max?" demanded Dr. Jim inquisitorially, the while he cuddled her close. "Oh, you know, dear,--Dr. Wyndham," she murmured. "Oh! So you call him Max, do you?" said Jim drily. "That's an innovation, so far as I am concerned." "I couldn't help it," she faltered, hiding her face a little lower. "He made me." "Did he indeed?" said Dr. Jim. "Well? What's the trouble?" "I--I can't remember," she whispered forlornly. "Are you in love with him?" asked Dr. Jim abruptly. She lifted her face with a great start. "No!" she gasped breathlessly. He looked at her with a semi-humorous frown. "Well, that's something definite to go upon anyhow. Can't stand him at any price, eh?" She smiled a little doubtfully. "I couldn't at one time. But now--now--" "Yes? Now?" said Dr. Jim. "I'm just--afraid of him," she said, a piteous quiver in her voice. "What for?" Dr. Jim sounded stern, but his hold was very comforting. "That's just it," said Olga. "I don't remember. I can't remember. But I know he is angry--for some reason. I think--I think I must have done--something he didn't like. Anyhow--I know he is angry." Dr. Jim grunted again. "Does that matter?" he asked after a moment. She clung to him very fast. "It will matter--when I see him again." "And if you don't see him again?" said Dr. Jim. "Oh, Dad!" she said, with a deep breath. "Well?" he persisted. "Would that simplify matters? Would that set your mind at rest?" "Oh, yes, it would!" she said, with immense relief.