not responsible," George rejoined. "You have the country to
thank. In some way, it's a hard land; but it's a good one."

"Perhaps something is due to Miss Taunton's influence."

Edgar leaned over the back of the seat.

"That," he said, "is a subject of which I've a monopoly; and I've
volumes to say upon it as soon as there's a chance of doing it justice.
George, I hear that Singleton, who told us about the wheat, is home on
a visit. Stephen has asked him over; you must meet him."

George said he would be glad to do so, and turned to Ethel when Edgar
resumed his conversation with his brother.

"I wired Herbert to have everything ready at my place, though I shall
spend the night at Brantholme."

"The Lodge is let. Didn't you know?"

"I understood that the man's tenancy ran out a few weeks ago."

"He renewed it. Herbert didn't know you were coming over; the terms
were good."

"Then I'm homeless for a time."

"Oh, no!" said Ethel. "Stephen wanted me to insist on your coming with
us now, but I know you will want to see Muriel and have a talk with
her. However, we'll expect you to come and take up your quarters with
us to-morrow."

George looked at her in some surprise.

"I'd be delighted, but Herbert will expect me to stay with him, and, of
course--"

"Sylvia hadn't arrived this afternoon; she was at Mrs. Kettering's,"
Ethel told him. "But remember that you must stay with us until you
make your arrangements. We should find it hard to forgive you if you
went to anybody else."

"I wouldn't think of it, only that Herbert's the obvious person to
entertain me," George replied, though he was a little puzzled by the
insistence, and Ethel abruptly began to talk of something else.

Darkness came, but there were gleams of cheerful light from roadside
cottages, and George found the fresh moist air and the shadowy woods
they skirted pleasantly familiar. This was the quiet English
countryside he loved, and a sense of deep and tranquil content
possessed him. He failed to notice that Ethel cleverly avoided
answering some of his questions and talked rather more than usual about
matters of small importance. At length they reached the Brantholme
gates, and Stephen looked down as George alighted.

"We'll expect you over shortly; I'll send for your baggage," he said as
he drove off.

George, to his keen disappointment, found only Mrs. Lansing waiting for
him in the hall, though she received him very cordially,