“No,” he shook his head, “that wasn’t exactly my idea. You see Heminway--the shark from the bank--will tell him, and show him all the figures, and make it a lot clearer than I could. But I thought, perhaps, if you could just drop a hint to Nancy--” He colored suddenly and the effect was startling in his very pale face. Mrs. Bob Lee blushed as hotly as he did and caught her full lower lip between her teeth. “Then--you’ve noticed, too,” she said unhappily. “It wasn’t just my imagination.” “Girls,” Peter stated sapiently, looking away, “girls get silly little crushes ... don’t amount to anything, of course ... get over ’em just as fast....” Mary-Lou got up from her chair and came to stand beside his, and when he rose she put her tanned, beautiful hand on his arm. “Peter, you’re a dear. But Nancy’s a dear, too! She’s absolutely sweet, Peter--innocent--why, she’s a hold-over from the befo’ the wah days. They aren’t making that model any more, in girls!” “You said something!” he agreed heartily. “And she’s awfully pretty, don’t you think?” “Melt-in-the-mouth!” “And this--this little infatuation--no, that’s too grave a word, Peter--fancy, that’s all it is, silly little crush, as you said, just as a girl might have for a man in the movies, _you_ know----” “Of course.” “It won’t last, Peter; you just said so yourself, and especially now, when she knows he’s a thieving rascal. Peter, couldn’t _you_? I’d like mighty well to have you for a cousin! She’d make you the most adorable wife!” “Mary-Lou Tenafee,” said Peter Parker soberly, “knowing your tribal standards, I’ll say that’s just about the handsomest thing that ever happened to me! But there are two reasons why I can’t manage it! You, yourself, are one, my dear. I’d be head over heels this minute, if I weren’t fathoms deep in love with Glen Darrow.” “_Glen Darrow!_” She gave a little gasp and stared at him. “Glen Darrow. From the first moment, almost.” Mrs. Bob Lee sighed. “Well, of course--she’s a mighty fine person, I reckon! I’ve heard Cousin ’Gene Carey say wonderful things about her, and Cousin Ada’s devoted to her. But, Peter--it _would_ be a lot more suitable; you know that. And we certainly would love to have you in our family.” Peter leaned suddenly nearer and kissed her enjoyingly. “Mary-Lou,” he said softly, “your Bob Lee must have hated to die and leave you!” She accepted the kiss without surprise and returned it amiably but absently. “I reckon he did, Peter Piper.” Tears glittered suddenly on her dark lashes. “I reckon he did,” she said again and slipped away. At four o’clock that afternoon she came into Mr. Carey’s office where Peter had just preceded her, and where the senior partner had been closeted for a devastating hour with Heminway. She ran to her Cousin ’Gene and put an arm about his neck, and laid her warm cheek against his. “You--you know about this, Mary-Lou?” he blinked at her, stammering, dazed.