“Half-past five,” said Miss Gething suddenly. “Have you got to catch the 6.30 train, Mr. Glover?” “Must,” said Mr. Glover dismally. “Business, you know,” he added resignedly. “You’ll take a cup of tea before you go?” said Annis. She was standing before Mr. Glover as she spoke, and the skipper, who had been feeling more and more in the way, rose and murmured that he must go. His amazement when Miss Gething twisted her pretty face into a warning scowl and shook her head at him, was so great that Mr. Glover turned suddenly to see the cause of it. “You’ll take a cup, too, captain?” said Miss Gething with a polite smile. “Thank you,” said the skipper, resuming his seat. His ideas were in a whirl, and he sat silent as the girl deftly set the tea-table and took her seat before the tray. “Quite a tea-party,” she said brightly. “One piece of sugar, Mr. Glover?” “Two,” said the gentleman in an injured voice. She looked inquiringly at the skipper with the sugar-tongs poised. “I’ll leave it to you,” said he confusedly. Mr. Glover smiled contemptuously, and raised his eye-brows a little. Miss Gething dropped in one piece and handed him the cup. “Sometimes I take one piece, sometimes two or three,” said the skipper, trying to explain away his foolishness. “I’m not particular.” “You must be of an easy-going nature,” said Miss Gething indulgently. “Don’t know his own mind, I should think,” said Mr. Glover rudely. “I know it about other things,” said the skipper. The tone in which this remark was made set Mr. Glover wondering darkly what the other things were. Neither man was disposed to be talkative, and tea would have proceeded in sombre silence but for the hostess. At ten minutes past six Mr. Glover rose and with great unwillingness said he must go. “It isn’t raining much now,” said Miss Gething encouragingly. Mr. Glover went to the hall, and taking his hat and umbrella, shook hands with her. Then he came to the door again, and looked at the skipper. “Going my way?” he inquired with great affability, considering. “Er—no,” said the other. Mr. Glover put on his hat with a bang, and with a curt nod followed Miss Gething to the door and departed. “I think he’ll catch the train all right,” said the skipper, as Miss Gething watched his feverish haste from the window. “I hope so,” said she. “I’m sorry your mother wasn’t in,” said the skipper, breaking a long pause. “Yes, it has been dull for you, I’m afraid,” said the girl. The skipper sighed wearily and wondered whether Mr. Glover was such an adept at silly remarks as he appeared to be. “Has he got far to go?” he inquired, referring to Mr. Glover. “London,” said Annis briefly. She stood at the window for some time, gazing up the road with what appeared to be an expression of anxious solicitude. “Well, I suppose I must be going,” said the skipper, who thought he ought not to stay any longer. Annis stood aside as he rose, and followed him slowly to the hall.