then, you see, I don't believe a word you say." He
went back to that attitude--to that obstinate assertion. It was not for
me to argue the question with him; even if my tongue were free, why
should I? He would argue it quite enough--there at Hatcham Ford, by
himself.

"Is that your estimable neighbor?" I asked. Through the darkness, by
help of the street lamp, a man's figure was visible, standing at the
gate of the new house which Jenny had taken for the Institute office.

"That's the fellow," said Octon, and he walked on with me. "Good
evening, Mr. Powers," he said, as we came to the gate.

Powers bade him good evening, and also accorded to me a courteous
greeting. In this hour of leisure he had assumed a pseudo-artistic garb,
a soft shirt with trimmings along the front and a turndown collar cut
very low, and a voluminous tie worn in an ultra-French fashion; his
jacket appeared to be of velveteen, rather a light brown.

"You find me star-gazing, gentlemen," said he. "I take delight in it.
The immensity of the heavens!"

"And the littleness of man! Quite so, Mr. Powers," said Octon, refilling
his pipe.

"These thoughts will come--sometimes to encourage us,
sometimes--er--with an opposite effect."

"Don't let them discourage you, Powers. That would be a pity. After all,
the Institute will be pretty big."

To a refined ear Octon was not treating Powers precisely with
respect--but Powers's ear was not refined. He was evidently quite
comfortable and at his ease with Octon. I wondered that Octon cared to
chaff him in this fashion, offering what was to Powers a good substitute
for friendliness.

"Yes, sir. Miss Driver is giving us an adequate sphere for our
ambitions. I have longed for one. Doubtless you have also, Mr. Austin?"

"I'm not very ambitious, Mr. Powers."

"Wise, sir, wise! But we can't help our dispositions. Mine is to soar!
To soar upward by dint of hard work! Miss Driver will find I've not been
idle when she next honors Ivydene with a visit. You don't know if she'll
be here to-morrow?"

"Not I," I answered. "Miss Driver doesn't generally tell me what she's
going to do to-morrow. The boot's on the other leg--she tells me what
I'm going to do to-morrow."

"Ha-ha! Very good, sir, very good! And she's a lady one is proud to take
orders from."

"Quite so. Good night." I think I must have spoken rather abruptly, for
Powers's answering "Good night" sounded a little startled. I really
could not bear a