l designed to show, it did
show, how intimate they were, how many old things they had in
common--never a passage in which Bertram could join by any excuse.
Even so did Banks direct it as to draw Kate Waddington into the talk.
Bertram sat apart, then, his face showing all his displeasure. His
straight brows set themselves in a frown, which he bent sometimes at
the group volleying personalities at Harry Banks, and sometimes on
the terraced hills of Sausalito.

When they trooped off with the crowd, Kate fell in beside Bertram
again. Lagging deliberately, she let a group of picnickers come in
between them and the rest of their party. He was still frowning.

"I'd like to soak that man," he said. "Maybe I will."

"No you won't!" said she.

"Won't I?" he replied.

"Oh, don't think I haven't seen it all. He was horrid. You see, we've
got used to him. You're meeting him new, and you don't quite
understand him yet."

"Well, I'm going to spend no sleepless nights trying!"

"He's really very clever and kind, at bottom. You'll come to like him
as we all do. And he's a man that it's good for you to know."

Bertram seemed to be considering this.

"Well, what did he mean, anyway?" he snapped.

"Nothing. It's just his foolery. We all had to take it from him at
first--and then we came to appreciate him."

Bertram answered with an impatient gesture. Kate caught his arm, held
it for just a second.

"Now, you wouldn't spoil my day, would you?" she asked softly. "You
know I'm responsible for you--"

His frown melted into his smile.

"Sure, if you put it like that!"

"Now, you're a sensible, accommodating, self-restrained lad, and every
other adjective in Samuel Smiles. You could charm the buttons off a
policeman--and you'll see how really nice he can be."

"You'll take out time until I get over my grouch?"

"Of course." They were approaching Masters and Dr. French, who stood
waiting by the train platform. "Late and happy!" she called.

Harry Banks, walking ahead beside Marion Slater, had taken his own
wordless rebuke from her. During the train passage, he made the
concession of keeping away from Bertram, and grouped himself off in
the other double seat. Bertram, sitting with Kate and the engaged
couple, spoke but seldom and then languidly. He did not come face to
face with Harry Banks again until the buckboards had delivered them
at the Masters ranch.

This estate bore the title of "ranch" only by courtesy. Masters