re going to follow me to
Fontainebleau--"

She reddened again, this time a little painfully "I didn't know what
I was doing.... I had to find you... but I should have come back this
evening, no matter what happened."

"No matter what?"

She nodded, and met his gaze resolutely.

"No; but really--"

"Really, I can't leave the children till Nat and Grace come back. I
promised I wouldn't."

"Yes; but you didn't know then.... Why on earth can't their nurse look
after them?"

"There isn't any nurse but me."

"Good Lord!"

"But it's only for two weeks more," she pleaded. "Two weeks! Do you know
how long I've been without you!" He seized her by both wrists, and drew
them against his breast. "Come with me at least for two days--Susy!" he
entreated her.

"Oh," she cried, "that's the very first time you've said my name!"

"Susy, Susy, then--my Susy--Susy! And you've only said mine once, you
know."

"Nick!" she sighed, at peace, as if the one syllable were a magic seed
that hung out great branches to envelop them.

"Well, then, Susy, be reasonable. Come!"

"Reasonable--oh, reasonable!" she sobbed through laughter.

"Unreasonable, then! That's even better."

She freed herself, and drew back gently. "Nick, I swore I wouldn't leave
them; and I can't. It's not only my promise to their mother--it's what
they've been to me themselves. You don't, know... You can't imagine
the things they've taught me. They're awfully naughty at times, because
they're so clever; but when they're good they're the wisest people I
know." She paused, and a sudden inspiration illuminated her. "But why
shouldn't we take them with us?" she exclaimed.

Her husband's arms fell away from her, and he stood dumfounded.

"Take them with us?"

"Why not?"

"All five of them?"

"Of course--I couldn't possibly separate them. And Junie and Nat will
help us to look after the young ones."

"Help us!" he groaned.

"Oh, you'll see; they won't bother you. Just leave it to me; I'll
manage--" The word stopped her short, and an agony of crimson suffused
her from brow to throat. Their eyes met; and without a word he stooped
and laid his lips gently on the stain of red on her neck.

"Nick," she breathed, her hands in his.

"But those children--"

Instead of answering, she questioned: "Where are we going?"

His face lit up.

"Anywhere, dearest, that you choose."

"Well--I choose Fontainebleau!" she exulted.

"So do I! But we can't take all th