“Dear Mrs. Byrd, I had so much rather lend it, but I know you wouldn't like that. Pay me what you paid for your first home in New York.” “Oh, but that would be absurd,” she demurred. “Make that concession to my pride in our friendship,” he smiled back. She saw that she could not refuse without ungraciousness. Stefan had disappeared, but now came quickly in from the kitchen door. “Farraday,” he called, “I've been looking at the barn; you don't use it, I see. If we come, should you mind my having a north light cut in it? With that it would make an ideal workshop.” “I should be delighted,” the other answered; “it's a good idea and will make the place more valuable. I had the barn cleaned out thinking some one might like it for a garage.” “We shan't run to such an extravagance yet awhile,” laughed Mary. “A bicycle for me and the station hack for Mary,” Stefan summed up. “I suppose there is such a thing at Crab's Bay?” “She won't have to walk,” Farraday answered. Started on practical issues, Mary's mind had flown to the need of a telephone to link them to her doctor. “May we install a 'phone?” she asked. “I never lived with one till two months ago, but already it is a confirmed vice with me.” “Mayn't I have it put in for you--there should be one here,” said he. “Oh, no, please!” “At least let me arrange for it,” he urged. “Now, son, thee must not keep Mrs. Byrd out too late. Get her home before sundown,” Mrs. Farraday's voice admonished. Obediently, every one moved toward the hall. At a word from McEwan, the mute Jamie ran to open the tonneau door. Farraday stopped to lock the kitchen entrance and found McEwan on the little porch as he emerged, while the others were busy settling themselves in the car. As Farraday turned the heavy front door lock, his friend's hand fell on his shoulder. “Ought ye to do it, James?” McEwan asked quietly. Farraday raised his eyes, and looked steadily at the other, with his slow smile. “Yes, Mac, it's a good thing to do. In any case, I shouldn't have been likely to marry, you know.” The two friends took their places in the car. IV After much consideration from Mary, the Byrds decided to give up their recently acquired flat, but to keep the old studio. She felt they should not attempt to carry three rents through the summer, but, on the other hand, Stefan was still working at his Demeter, using an Italian model for the boy's figure, and could not finish it conveniently elsewhere. Then, too, he expressed a wish for a pied-à-terre in the city, and as Mary had very tender associations with the little studio she was glad to think of keeping it.