"Not exactly. I have to walk half round the block to get to our gate. We aren't allowed to climb the fence," she added, in a confidential undertone, with a sly look back at Mrs. Gano as she gave Ethan her hand. "Good-night." "Sha'n't I see you to your gate?" he said, coming out into the hall. "My uncle ought not--" "No, thank you. I think by the time I get my things on some one will be here for me." He had refused to go to the Hornseys with Val, but he was quite ready to face the elements in order to take Julia home! Critical eyes marked the unusual haste of the guest's hat-pinning and jacket-donning. "Mrs. Gano always sends for Val," Julia said to Ethan, accounting for the origin of the repulsive custom. He held her jacket for her. "You haven't told me yet," he said, "how you learned to play like this?" Julia laughed, too much pleased to venture on words. "She has taken lessons," said Val, "ever since she was seven." "You were sent away to study?" "No," said Julia, tying her scarf with an effective air. "But she's had _private_ lessons," Val explained, "besides the music classes at the Sem." "You really mean"--he was ignoring Val and looking down upon the happy Julia--"do you mean you've learned to play like this in New Plymouth?" "Yes; of course I practise a good deal." "As much as ever she likes, and nobody to say 'Not so boisterous,' and then go and lock the piano." "Well, I must say I think it a very creditable result--with only provincial masters." As he reached for his hat, he caught sight of Val's face. "America, thou wear'st a threatening aspect. Mustn't I say provincial?" At that moment a knock resounded loudly on the door. Julia carried off her disappointment discreetly enough, departing with the servant. The young people went back to the parlor, but a gloom seemed to have fallen on the party. Mrs. Gano was closing the piano with her son's help. "Emmie tells me," she was saying, "that Miss Julia complains my piano is out of tune. I wonder, that being the case, she is so fond of playing on it." "It is out of tune," said Val; "but I suppose she thinks it better than nothing. Isn't she pretty?" Val asked her cousin, in a dogged tone. "Extremely--most charming little person." "She _usually_ has rather nice, retiring manners," remarked Mrs. Gano. And then they said good-night. Ethan looked inquiringly into his cousin's face. "It isn't late; come out on the veranda while I smoke a cigarette." "I thought you objected to going out such weather as this." "But we won't get wet on the veranda." "No, not _on the veranda_"--but seeing Julia home was a different matter. "It's your bedtime, Val," interposed Mrs. Gano--"and long past yours, Emmie. Ethan, you must not demoralize the children." He laughed, and went out by himself.