rs. Forrester has been most kind," Digby said. He slapped his friend
on the back again heartily. "Lucky dog! All the good things of life fall
your way."

The Beggar Man laughed.

"That is a compliment for you, Faith," he said.

Afterwards when for a moment they were alone he questioned her rather
anxiously.

"You don't mind him staying here? He's my best friend, and we haven't
met for years! He won't be any trouble. He's a fine chap!"

"Of course I don't mind." She avoided his eyes. "Peg was giving me a
lecture only this evening about you! She said I did nothing for you in
return for all you've done for us. She said that I ought to entertain
your friends." She laughed rather sadly. "You know I can't do anything
like that properly, don't you?"

A little gleam crept into his eyes.

"You could do all that I want in that way," he said. "But it's not Peg's
place to lecture you," he added hardily.

Faith rushed to Peg's defence.

"She meant it so awfully well. She's always sticking up for you. She
says that she likes fair play...." She paused. "So do I," she added with
difficulty. "And--and I'm afraid I haven't played fair
since--since--well, you know."

There was a little silence. The Beggar Man's eyes never left her face,
and there was a queer, hungry look in their blueness.

"You're not--I suppose you're not trying to tell me that--that you don't
hate me so much--after all, eh?" he asked with an effort.

She drew back a step in alarm.

"I am only trying to tell you that--that I know how much you've done for
us all, and that if there was anything--any little thing I could do to
please you ..." She faltered and stopped.

There was an eloquent silence.

"Well--I should like you to kiss me," Forrester said bluntly. He paused.
"Or is that too big a thing to ask?" for Faith had put out protesting
hands, and he laughed.

"It's too much, eh? Oh, all right! Don't bother!" He passed her without
another word and walked out of the room whistling.

They had quite a merry evening.

"Anyone would think Mr. Digby had known us all for years and years," Peg
said afterwards to Faith as the girls went up to bed together. "I like
him awfully, don't you?"

Faith nodded, "Yes." She did like him, but all the evening she had felt
vaguely uncomfortable, conscious of his eyes upon her.

"I wonder how long he means to stay," she hazarded.

"The longer the better," Peg declared bluntly. "If he's here Mr.
Forrester will have