"That's him right enough," said Doggie. "My dear old chap," said Oliver, "this is the funniest war that ever was." Peggy sailed in full of apologies and began to pour out coffee. "Do help yourselves. I'm so sorry to have kept you poor hungry things waiting." "We've filled up the time amazingly," cried Oliver, waving a silver dish-cover. "What do you think? Doggie's had a fight with Chipmunk and knocked him out." Peggy splashed the milk over the brim of Doggie's cup and into the saucer. There came a sudden flush on her cheek and a sudden hard look into her eyes. "Fighting? Do you mean to say you've been fighting with a common man like Chipmunk?" "We're the best of friends now," said Doggie. "We understand each other." "I can't quite see the necessity," said Peggy. "I'm afraid it's rather hard to explain," he replied with a rueful knitting of the brows, for he realized her disgust at the vulgar brawl. "I think the less said the better," she remarked acidly. The meal proceeded in ominous gloom, and as soon as Peggy had finished she left the room. "It seems, old chap, that I can never do right," said Oliver. "Long ago, when I used to crab you, she gave it to me in the neck; and now when I try to boost you, you seem to get it." "I'm afraid I've got on Peggy's nerves," said Doggie. "You see, we've only met once before during the last two years, and I suppose I've changed." "There's no doubt about that, old son," said Oliver. "But all the same, Peggy has stood by you like a brick, hasn't she?" "That's the devil of it," replied Doggie, rubbing up his hair. "Why the devil of it?" Oliver asked quickly. "Oh, I don't know," replied Doggie. "As you have once or twice observed, it's a funny old war." He rose, went to the door. "Where are you off to?" asked Oliver. "I'm going to Denby Hall to take a look round." "Like me to come with you? We can borrow the two-seater." Doggie advanced a pace. "You're an awfully good sort, Oliver," he said, touched, "but would you mind--I feel rather a beast----" "All right, you silly old ass," cried Oliver cheerily. "You want, of course, to root about there by yourself. Go ahead." "If you'll take a spin with me this afternoon, or to-morrow----" said Doggie in his sensitive way. "Oh, clear out!" laughed Oliver. And Doggie cleared. CHAPTER XXI "All right, Peddle, I can find my way about," said Doggie, dismissing the old butler and his wife after a little colloquy in the hall. "Everything's in perfect order, sir, just as it was when you left; and there are the keys," said Mrs. Peddle.