lton a brute?" said Randy.

"He that calleth his brother a fool----" mused the Major. He was still
turning the mauve hat in his hands. "It is queer," he said unexpectedly,
"how some women make you think of some flowers. Did you notice
everything Miss MacVeigh wore was lilac--and there's the perfume of it
about her things----"

"Becky's a rose," said Randy, "from her own garden. She's as fresh and
sweet," his voice caught. "Oh, hang Dalton," he said, "I hate the whole
tribe of them----"

Kemp came back to say that Oscar Waterman would be down at once. He
insisted that Miss MacVeigh should be brought up to Hamilton Hill.

"He must talk with the doctor."

"He is bringing a doctor of his own. One who came down for Mrs.
Waterman."

Randy picked up his hat. "I'm going home. The same house won't hold
us----"

Kemp was discreet. "Can I help you with your car, sir?"

"I'll come over later and look at it." Randy, escaping by the back way,
walked over the hills.

The Major stayed, and was in the sitting-room with the county doctor
when the others arrived.

Dr. Dabney, the county doctor, was not old. He rode to hounds and he
enjoyed life. But he was none the less a good doctor and a wise one.
Waterman's physician confirmed the diagnosis. It would be very unwise to
move Miss MacVeigh.

"But she can't stay here," said Dalton.

"Why not?"

"She can't be made comfortable." Dalton surveyed the Flippin
sitting-room critically. He was aware that Mr. Flippin was in the
doorway, and that Mrs. Flippin and Mary could not fail to catch his
words. But he did not care who heard what he said. All was wrong with
his world. It was bad enough to have Flora ill, but to have Madge out of
commission would be to forge another chain to hold him to Hamilton Hill.

"She can be made very comfortable here," said Dr. Dabney. "Mrs. Flippin
is a famous housekeeper. And anyone who has ever slept in that east room
in summer knows that there is nothing better."

Dalton ignored him. "What do you think?" He turned to the Washington
doctor. "What do you think?"

"I think it best not to move her. We can send a nurse, and with Dr.
Dabney on the case, she will be in good hands."

"The only trouble is," said Dr. Dabney, unexpectedly, "that we may
impose too much on Mrs. Flippin's hospitality."

"We will pay----" said Dalton with a touch of insolence.

From the doorway, Mr. Flippin answered him. "We don't want pay----
Neighbors don't ask for mone