Waldstricker leaned over the table, looking first at his wife, then at Madelene. Helen shuddered. How relentless he looked when his mouth turned down at both corners! She had grown so afraid of him of late. "I've an effective way to keep him from her," said he. "Goody!" exclaimed Madelene, and "How, dear?" asked Helen. The man spoke only two words in a low, husky voice, but each woman heard them. "Good!" gasped Madelene, standing quickly. "How perfectly glorious!" "How perfectly awful!" groaned Helen. "Ebenezer, don't do anything so dreadful." Waldstricker looked across the table with that strange glitter in his eyes. "Helen, must we go over again the same painful ground that women should not interfere!" Mrs. Waldstricker rose to her feet. "No, Ebenezer, no, no! Only I was thinking of Deforrest!" "Deforrest will not know of it until it's too late," said Waldstricker, rising too. "Does he know of Letts' trying to force her to marry him?" asked Helen. "I've never told him. Possibly the girl has." "I think not," answered Helen, gravely. "He'd have mentioned it to me, I think!" As her brother passed Madelene, he tweaked her ear. "Just clear your pretty head of further worry, little kitten ... See?" Madelene caught his hand affectionately in hers. "Kiss me, best of good brothers," she smiled. "You've made me perfectly happy! Isn't it dreadful to have to keep tabs on one's husband?" "You won't have to long," Waldstricker assured her. Then he kissed her and followed his wife into the library. Mrs. Waldstricker walked to the window and looked out, her eyes full of tears. "Helen," said Ebenezer, gravely, taking her by the shoulders and turning her face toward him. "You displease me very much." The drops hanging on the long lashes fell suddenly. "I'm sorry, dear, but I can't see why you always antagonize Deforrest. You remember how angry he was after that church affair." "Your brother's anger doesn't affect me in the slightest," returned Ebenezer coldly. "When I see my duty to God, I do it, that's all." "And you're really determined--Oh, Eb dear, for my sake, please--" The husband made an impatient movement. "Helen, how many times have I got to forbid your crying this way. You're always in tears. You'll make yourself sick." "Lately you've been so cross to me," sobbed Helen, burying her face in her handkerchief. Waldstricker put his arm about her. "I don't want to be cross.... There!... Now lie down here on the divan.... I'm going out for an hour or two." Then he put on his cap, took up his riding whip, and went away to the stables. A few minutes later Helen Waldstricker sat up straight, and rang the bell. To the servant who appeared, she said, "Find Mr. Graves and send him to me immediately."