"You seem to have made one fast friend, Joy," pursued Allan, dismissing the subject of the cherry for later consideration. "Rutherford confided to me last night that he thought he had been working too hard; he isn't returning to his native heath for a month more. His aunt's been pressing him to stay on, and he thinks he will. He's coming over to see me this morning. He's devoted to me," stated Allan sweetly. "There's nothing he needs more than my friendship. He explained it to me." Phyllis and he both laughed. "You always did have winning ways, Allan," said his wife mischievously. "When is John expected to drop in? He, too, loves you--don't forget that!" Allan grinned. "Poor old Johnny has to look after his patients. He can't very well snatch a vacation in his own home town. It's a hard world for gentlemen, Joy!" Phyllis looked from one to the other of them with an answering light of mischief in her eyes. "I suppose John could take anybody he liked to hold the car, couldn't he?" she said demurely. "In fact--he has!" "If you mean me," answered Joy, "he was very severe with me yesterday. John is bringing me up in the way I should go!" The feeling of vivid excitement was still carrying her along, and she laughed as she answered them. Allan looked at her critically. "H'm!" he said thoughtfully. "I seem to have a feeling that he won't bring you such an amazing distance, at that--short time as I have known you. Did you say popovers this morning, Phyllis?" "Popovers," nodded Phyllis, "and some of Lily-Anna's fresh marmalade." "An' little dogs!" broke in Philip enthusiastically. "Oh, Father, don't you just _love_ little dogs?" His mother tried to look troubled. "Allan, don't you think you could teach Phil, by precept or example, that they really are sausages?" she asked. "The other day at Mrs. Varney's we had them for luncheon, and he said, 'I'd like another pup, please!' And she was shocked to the heart's core." "It's such a nice convenient name," pleaded Allan. "Joy, I have to waste most of the morning talking over the long-distance 'phone to my lawyer. I shall spend an hour discussing leases, and two more bullying him and his wife into coming out to visit us. You will readily see that I can't entertain my new-found soulmate at the same time. I don't suppose you could offer any suggestions about his amusement?" "Solitaire," suggested Joy demurely. "Or you might give him a book to read." Allan threw back his head and laughed. "Excellent ideas, both!" he said, "and truly original. He shall have his choice!" "You have the kindest hearts in the world," said Phyllis, summoning the waitress. "Allan, before you finish that million-dollar conversation to Mr. De Guenther, please call me. I want to speak to him a minute, too." "I'll call you," he promised.