"Hum--no," answered Jadwin a little slowly. "You see, Laura, the difficulty is in getting the thing done this summer. When we go up there we want everything finished, don't we? We don't want a lot of workmen clattering around. I thought maybe we could wait about that conservatory till next year, if you didn't mind." Laura acquiesced readily enough, but Jadwin could see that she was a little disappointed. Thoughtful, he tugged his mustache in silence for a moment. Perhaps, after all, it could be arranged. Then an idea presented itself to him. Smiling a little awkwardly, he said: "Laura, I tell you what. I'll make a bargain with you." She looked up as he hesitated. Jadwin sat down at the table opposite her and leaned forward upon his folded arms. "Do you know," he began, "I happened to think--Well, here's what I mean," he suddenly declared decisively. "Do you know, Laura, that ever since we've been engaged you've never--Well, you've never--never kissed me of your own accord. It's foolish to talk that way now, isn't it? But, by George! That would be--would be such a wonderful thing for me. I know," he hastened to add, "I know, Laura, you aren't demonstrative. I ought not to expect, maybe, that you-- Well, maybe it isn't much. But I was thinking a while ago that there wouldn't be a sweeter thing imaginable for me than if my own girl would come up to me some time--when I wasn't thinking--and of her own accord put her two arms around me and kiss me. And--well, I was thinking about it, and--" He hesitated again, then finished abruptly with, "And it occurred to me that you never had." Laura made no answer, but smiled rather indefinitely, as she continued to search the pages of the book, her head to one side. Jadwin continued: "We'll call it a bargain. Some day--before very long, mind you--you are going to kiss me--that way, understand, of your own accord, when I'm not thinking of it; and I'll get that conservatory in for you. I'll manage it somehow. I'll start those fellows at it to-morrow--twenty of 'em if it's necessary. How about it? Is it a bargain? Some day before long. What do you say?" Laura hesitated, singularly embarrassed, unable to find the right words. "Is it a bargain?" persisted Jadwin. "Oh, if you put it that way," she murmured, "I suppose so--yes." "You won't forget, because I shan't speak about it again. Promise you won't forget." "No, I won't forget. Why not call her the 'Thetis'?" "I was going to suggest the 'Dart,' or the 'Swallow,' or the 'Arrow.' Something like that--to give a notion of speed." "No. I like the 'Thetis' best." "That settles it then. She's your steam yacht, Laura." Later on, when Jadwin was preparing to depart, they stood for a moment in the hallway, while he drew on his gloves and took a fresh cigar from his case. "I'll call for you here at about ten," he said. "Will that do?"