Olga turned to him at once. "Nick, it's really too silly for words. Dr. Wyndham makes mountains out of molehills." "That's very ingenious of him," commented Nick. "I shouldn't harass the man if I were you, Olga. He's been out all night." Olga pounced upon this fact. "I expect Mitchel has too, then, so he just won't be able to go." "No," said Max. "I didn't take the car or Mitchel. It chanced to be a case in the village, and I bicycled." "Who was it?" asked Olga eagerly; and then restrained herself with annoyance. "But of course you won't tell me. You're much too professional." "Keep to the point!" ordered Nick. Olga slipped a coaxing arm round his neck. "Nick, don't you think it absurd that Violet and I shouldn't motor over to Brethaven without a man to take care of us? I am quite certain Dad wouldn't object." "There you are wrong," said Max. "If your father were here, he would forbid it--as I do." He spoke with emphasis, and glanced again at his watch as he did so. "He doesn't object to my going alone with one of the boys," said Olga. "It's only Violet who is too precious to go motoring without a full-grown escort. As if I weren't quite capable of taking care of her!" "It's not that at all," said Max curtly. "I can't stop to argue, so please make up your mind what you are going to do. I'm sorry you've been dragged into the discussion, Ratcliffe. I daresay it seems a senseless one to you, but I have my reasons." Nick looked at him for a moment, a quick gleam of comprehension behind his flickering eyelids. "It won't hurt you to take Mitchel, Olga _mia_," he said. "Oh, Nick!" There was deep reproach in Olga's voice, and at sound of it Max smiled with dry humour. Nick laughed outright, openly heartless. "My beloved chicken, who is making mountains out of molehills now? I would escort you myself if I hadn't got to attend this committee meeting in town,--a million plagues upon it! Come along and open my letters for me! We are wasting time." "I do think you needn't take his part," said Olga, as Max disappeared into the surgery. "He's quite bullying and tyrannical enough without that." "I'm inclined to sympathize with the young man myself," said Nick. "He wouldn't bully you if you weren't so nasty." "Nick, I'm not nasty!" "I should detest you if I were Max," said Nick, squeezing her affectionately with his one wiry arm. "It isn't my fault we are antipathetic," protested Olga. "For goodness' sake, Nick, don't start liking him! But I'm sure you don't in your heart of hearts. You simply couldn't." "Why not?" said Nick. "Oh, Nick, you don't! You know you don't! He's so cold-blooded and cynical." "Do you want to know what he was up to last night?" said Nick. "Yes, tell me!" said Olga.