He did not betray his knowledge by the slightest sign; but talked to the two girls in his usual kindly, whimsical fashion while Eva dispensed tea. "All the boats are really put away for the winter now," he said presently. "I think yours--and ours--have been the last, Mrs. Rose. We have had such wonderfully mild weather; but I'm afraid we shan't get any more boating this season." "Shan't we?" Toni sighed faintly. "I'm sorry--I have enjoyed the river so much." "Yes. We've had a glorious summer. But after all the winter will soon pass and we'll be getting the boats out again." "I hope we shan't be here when it's time to get the boats out," said Eva crisply. "A winter here would just about finish me off." "Oh, it's not bad," Herrick rejoined. "Sometimes it is quite pleasant all the year round--though we get a fog now and again, of course." "I don't propose remaining to sample the fogs," said Eva quietly. "Of course you will do as you choose, but seeing I've never been properly warm for months--we don't have nice fires in prison, you know--I think you owe it to me to take me somewhere sunny this winter." Herrick's face clouded, as it always did at any reference to Eva's prison life; and Toni felt desperately uncomfortable. She put down her cup and rose. "I must really be going home, Eva. I didn't mean to stay to tea." "Must you go? I'm sorry. I hoped you'd stay to dinner and enliven us a little. Jim and I don't have very jovial evenings, do we, Jim? Sometimes I think I might as well be back in my cell." "Eva--don't." Herrick spoke quietly, and his wife laughed. "My dear Jim, why be so squeamish? If Mrs. Rose doesn't mind associating with jail-birds, I don't see why you should. I'm thinking of writing a book on my experiences in prison, Toni. Do you think Mr. Rose would collaborate with me--lick my raw stuff into shape, so to speak?" Before Toni could reply, Herrick interrupted. "If you are going, Mrs. Rose, I'll take you across the river in the old punt, and see you home along the towing-path. It is the shortest way, but it's lonely at night." "Thank you, Mr. Herrick. May Olga come, too?" "Of course. She would be very much hurt if she were left behind." "How silly you are over that great dog of yours, Jim." Mrs. Herrick included even dogs in her universal hatred nowadays. "I declare I wish someone would poison the beast." This threat, uttered not for the first time, made Herrick set his lips firmly, and for once his wife regretted her taunt. "Oh, I'm not going to do it," she said with a laugh. "Good-bye, Toni, if you must go. I'll come and look you up in a day or two." When Toni and Herrick were alone, walking along the towing-path in the darkness, Herrick turned to Toni with a sigh. "Mrs. Rose, I can't tell you how sorry I am--nor how grateful I am both to you and Mr. Rose for your kindness to my poor little wife."