"John would," said Joy with conviction. "You know how he is about honor and courtesy and doing things for people." Phyllis nodded. That was an incontrovertible fact. "And he's told Gail," Joy went on. "That's the only secret I ever had in my life, so it _must_ be that. So I'm going to run away. I simply can't stay and..." "Told Gail! Ridiculous!" cried Phyllis. "Unless ... unless----" "Unless there was some understanding between them before and John was simply overchivalrous when he helped me," Joy finished steadily. "Yes, that's the only answer.... I'm going. Please don't forget me." "You foolish child!" "There's another reason," Joy added. "Clarence proposed last night. I'd be almost sure to say 'yes' to save my face about the other thing, if I stayed, and I might have to marry him if I did.... Queer that Clarence, that I and everybody knew was just a plain flirt, should really want to, and John not!" she added absently. "Good-by." She was off the couch and had hurried out of doors, where Phyllis, half-clad as she was, could not follow her. Phyllis rose and went to the door, but the little slim brown figure was already going swiftly toward the station, her suitcase swinging in her hand. It occurred to Phyllis as she walked over to the telephone that usually crises found her clad in a blue negligee of some sort. Then she got Dr. Hewitt's number. "Is that you, John Hewitt?" she called. "Come over to this house this moment! ... Yes, something serious _has_ happened. And don't ask for Allan--ask for me. I'll be on the porch waiting for you if I can. If not, stay there and wait for me. This is private--and--yes, about Joy! Come!" Joy got the train with a desolately long interval of waiting at the station. It was a day-coach. She had all the time in the world to think things out. Her grandparents were back in the city house, she knew. They would be glad to see her in their different ways, she knew that, too. She could drop into her niche noiselessly, with scarcely a question from Grandfather, and all the lovingness in the world from Grandmother, except if Grandfather needed attention. The old gowns were still in her closet.... _When she got home it would be reception day!_ As this recollection forced itself on her she felt her heart sink lower than it had been before. All the tormenting memories in the world--and Grandfather would make her dress and be there.... She clasped her hands involuntarily, and felt on the left one the pressure of the wishing ring. She had meant to take it off and leave it with Phyllis, and she had forgotten to. "There isn't much left to wish," she thought. She clasped her hands tighter over it. "Nothing much--but to get to sleep for a little while, and dream it isn't so. I--I suppose I can do that without a wish."