The young people waved their hands as they recognized him. "Come back, have you?" he said, without moving. "It's about time." "Were you listening to that dear thrush?" asked Sylvia, as she jumped from the boat. "I was, and have been for half an hour. The fellow's staying powers are something marvelous." The speaker brought a hand around from his back, prepared to meet his niece, whom he scrutinized without a change of expression. She possessed herself not only of the hand, but his arm, and deliberately kissed his cheek. "I hope you received my letter about the boat, Uncle Calvin. You don't know how happy you made me." Dunham noted the surprised start, and received the frowning look which the judge sent in his direction. The rose leaf of Sylvia's face remained close to the parchment folds of the lawyer's cheek. "Well, it was about time I made you happy, wasn't it?" he replied. "I ought to stay here now," said Sylvia, "and row you about, instead of going back to Hawk Island." "Oh. You're going back to Hawk Island?" The girl thought she detected a note of disappointment in the brusque tone. "I'm not sure. I haven't decided," she returned. "She is going back," observed Dunham affably, "with me in about an hour." Judge Trent glared at the speaker. Both Sylvia's hands being clasped about his arm, he was holding himself with conscious and wooden rigidity. This was his own flesh and blood, however, and she was clinging to him, and Dunham might be hanged for all he cared. "My niece will decide that, and not you," he returned with surprising belligerency. "Hello!" thought Dunham, amused. "Is Arcady getting on the legal nerves?" "We're a house party," he explained firmly. "We've come over here for some clothes. We shall be obliged to start back in about an hour because we have to take you with us, and we don't want to keep you out too late." "Hey?" asked the judge. "Yes," said Sylvia. "Edna asked us to bring either you or Thinkright back with us." "Now that's very untactful of you, Miss Sylvia," objected John. "Supposing she did say either of them. Don't you know, first come, first served, and moreover that Judge Trent is company?" "Yes, I've no idea that Thinkright would leave the farm over night at this busy time, anyway," replied Sylvia. "Where is he? I must see him before I decide. I'm really not sure about going back. Perhaps, Uncle Calvin, it will be best for you and Mr. Dunham to go without me." The lawyer's steely gaze was sunk in the soft blue depths of hers. In this mood she reminded him of his last parting with Laura. No woman since that day had clung to his arm. He grunted a dissent. "John and I see enough of each other as it is," he returned. "The idea of any one seeing enough of John!" was the thought that flashed through Sylvia's mind. What she said was, "Would you really rather I went too, Uncle Calvin?" The sharp eyes under the visor saw the expression in Dunham's face at the caressing tone.