The two boys were still engaged in the African argument, and had arrived at a dead lock, each being firmly convinced in his own mind that his view of the subject was the right one. "You're all wrong, I tell you," said Otterburn hotly, "you're talking just like you did at Montana. Africa isn't America." "Nobody said it was," returned Laxton ungracefully, "but I daresay the sport is very much the same in both places. Africa is not a new planet." "You might as well say that potting walrus in the Arctic regions is the same as jungle shooting in India." "It's merely a matter of temperature," declared Laxton decidedly. "Oh, if you pin your faith to the thermometer, I've nothing more to say," replied Otterburn, throwing himself back in his chair with the air of a man who has crushed his opponent. "I haven't the least idea what you are talking about," observed Eustace leisurely, "and judging from what I've overheard you both seem to be in the same predicament." "We'll discuss it later on," said Otterburn gaily. "What a pity I can't come out with you to Africa, Laxton, and settle the argument that way." "Well, why don't you come?" demanded Laxton quickly. Otterburn reddened and laughed in an embarrassed fashion, while Eustace threw a roguish glance at him, and made answer for the bashful lover. "Don't you bother your head, Laxton There are more important things than shooting expeditions in this world--at least, Otterburn thinks so." Laxton was quite in the dark regarding the meaning of these mystic utterances, when it suddenly dawned on him that the lady whom Otterburn had spoken about in America might have something to do with the turn the conversation had taken, and lifted his glass with a smile as he looked towards Macjean. "To the health of the something more important than shooting expeditions," he said gravely, and finished the wine. "Thank you," responded Otterburn laughing. "May I some day drink the same health to you?" "Never!" "Never's a long time." "And talking about time," remarked Guy, glancing at his watch, "if you two boys have any idea of the theatre to-night you'll have to be off." "Aren't you coming too?" chorussed Otterburn and his comrade. "No! I received an important piece of news to-night, about which I wish to speak to my cousin." "What will Mrs. V. say?" asked Laxton gaily. "Who can foretell a woman's remarks?" said Eustace quizzically, seeing that Guy was disinclined to speak. "Depends upon how much you know of the woman," responded Otterburn smartly. "Woman," retorted the cynic, "is an unknown quantity." "What about quality?" "This conversation," said Eustace, looking at his glass of water, "is getting problematic. After dinner is a bad time to solve puzzles, therefore--coffee."