As if Lucy knew what she was thinking, she said--it was the first time she had talked of him--'You know, Aunt Dot, Everard will have been fearfully busy this week, because of having been away so long.' 'Oh of course,' agreed Miss Entwhistle with much heartiness. 'I'm sure the poor dear has been run off his legs.' 'He didn't--he hasn't----' Lucy flushed and broke off. 'I suppose,' she began again after a minute, 'there's been nothing from him? No message, I mean? On the telephone or anything?' 'No, I don't think there has--not since our talk the first day,' said Miss Entwhistle. 'Oh? Did he telephone the first day?' asked Lucy quickly. 'You never told me.' 'You were asleep nearly all that day. Yes,' said Miss Entwhistle, clearing her throat, 'we had a--we had quite a little talk.' 'What did he say?' 'Well, he naturally wanted you to be well enough to go up to London, and of course he was very sorry you couldn't.' Lucy looked suddenly much happier. 'Yes,' said Miss Entwhistle, as though in answer to the look. 'He hates writing letters, you know, Aunt Dot,' Lucy said presently. 'Men do,' said Miss Entwhistle. 'It's very curious,' she continued brightly, 'but men _do_.' 'And he hates telephoning. It was wonderful for him to have telephoned that day.' 'Men,' said Miss Entwhistle, 'are very funny about some things.' 'To-day is Thursday, isn't it,' said Lucy. 'He ought to be here by one o'clock to-morrow.' Miss Entwhistle started. 'To-morrow?' she repeated. 'Really? Does he? I mean, ought he? Somehow I had supposed Saturday. The week-end somehow suggests Saturdays to me.' 'No. He--we,' Lucy corrected herself, 'come down on Fridays. He's sure to be down in time for lunch.' 'Oh is he?' said Miss Entwhistle, thinking a great many things very quickly. 'Well, if it is his habit,' she went on, 'I am sure too that he will. Do you remember how we set our clocks by him when he came to tea in Eaton Terrace?' Lucy smiled, and the remembrance of those days of love, and of all his dear, funny ways, flooded her heart and washed out for a moment the honeymoon, the birthday, everything that had happened since. Miss Entwhistle couldn't but notice the unmistakable love-look. '_Oh_ I'm so glad you love each other so much,' she said with all her heart. 'You know, Lucy, I was afraid that perhaps this house----' She stopped, because adequately to discuss The Willows in all its aspects needed, she felt, perfect health on both sides. 'Yes, I don't think a house matters when people love each other,' said Lucy.