Mary, who had lived all her life in a small town within sight of the open fields, was beginning to feel the confinement of city life. Even during her year in London she had joined other girls in weekend bicycling excursions out of town, or tubed to Golder's Green or Shepherd's Bush in search of country walks. Now that the late snows of March had cleared away, she began eagerly to watch for swelling buds in the Square, and was dismayed when Stefan told her that the spring, in this part of America, was barely perceptible before May. “That's the first objection I've found to your country, Stefan,” she said. He was scowling moodily out of the window. “The first? I see nothing but objections.” “Oh, come!” she smiled at him; “it hasn't been so bad, has it?” “Better than I had expected,” he conceded. “But it will soon be April, and I remember the leaves in the Luxembourg for so many Aprils back.” She came and put her arm through his. “Do you want to go, dear?” “Oh, hang it all, Mary, you don't suppose I want to leave you?” he answered brusquely, releasing his arm. “I want my own place, that's all.” She had, in her quieter way, become just as homesick for England, though sharing none of his dislike of her adopted land. “Well, shall we both go?” she suggested. He laughed shortly. “Don't be absurd, dearest--what would your doctor say to such a notion? No, we've got to stick it out,” and he ruffled his hair impatiently. With a suppressed sigh Mary changed the subject. “By the by, I want you to meet Dr. Hillyard; I have asked her to tea this afternoon.” “Do you honestly mean it when you say she is not an elderly ironsides with spectacles?” “I honestly assure you she is young and pretty. Moreover, I forbid you to talk like an anti-suffragist,” she laughed. “Very well, then, I will be at home,” with an answering grin. And so he was, and on his best behavior, when the little doctor arrived an hour later. She had been found by the omniscient Miss Mason, and after several visits Mary had more than endorsed the Sparrow's enthusiastic praise.