fact that, being in the house, he should go about, pale and
haggard, as though he were sickening for something. Mr. Bennett had the
most violent objection to associating with people who looked as though
they were sickening for something.

He got up and went to the window. The rain leaped at the glass like a
frolicking puppy. It seemed to want to get inside and play with Mr.
Bennett.

Sec. 2

Mr. Bennett slept late on the following morning. He looked at his watch
on the dressing table when he got up, and found that it was past ten.
Taking a second look to assure himself that he had really slumbered to
this unusual hour, he suddenly became aware of something bright and
yellow resting beside the watch, and paused, transfixed, like Robinson
Crusoe staring at the footprint in the sand. If he had not been in
England, he would have said that it was a patch of sunshine.

Mr. Bennett stared at the yellow blob with the wistful mistrust of a
traveller in a desert who has been taken in once or twice by mirages. It
was not till he had pulled up the blind and was looking out on a garden
full of brightness and warmth and singing birds that he definitely
permitted himself to accept the situation.

It was a superb morning. It was as if some giant had uncorked a great
bottle full of the distilled scent of grass, trees, flowers, and hay.
Mr. Bennett rang the bell joyfully, and presently there entered a grave,
thin, intellectual-looking man who looked like a duke, only more
respectable. This was Webster, Mr. Bennett's valet. He carried in one
hand a small mug of hot water, reverently, as if it were a present of
jewellery.

"Good morning, sir."

"Morning, Webster," said Mr. Bennett. "Rather late, eh?"

"It is" replied Webster precisely, "a little late, sir. I would have
awakened you at the customary hour, but it was Miss Bennett's opinion
that a rest would do you good."

Mr. Bennett's sense of well-being deepened. What more could a man want
in this world than fine weather and a dutiful daughter?

"She did, eh?"

"Yes, sir. She desired me to inform you that, having already
breakfasted, she proposed to drive Mr. Mortimer and Mr. Bream Mortimer
into Southampton in the car. Mr. Mortimer senior wished to buy a panama
hat."

"A panama hat!" exclaimed Mr. Bennett.

"A panama hat, sir."

Mr. Bennett's feeling of satisfaction grew still greater. It was a fine
day; he had a dutiful daughter; and he was going to see Henry Mortimer