at home, and nobody objects.
It--it runs in the family, like red hair or--er--insanity."

"Insanity!" Faith gasped. "Good heavens, is there _that_? Oh, poor Jean!
That explains--"

"No, no!" Chetwood protested desperately. "I didn't mean that. Quite the
contrary. Not a trace. Why, dash it all, there isn't even genius!"

Whereat, with a wild shriek, Faith collapsed weakly in her chair and
laughed until she wept. "Oh, oh, oh!" she gasped feebly, wiping her
eyes, "this is lovely--I mean it's awful. Mr. Chetwood--I mean Sir
Eustace--"

"'Bill!'" the object of her mirth amended. "Poor Bill. Poor old Bill!
Dear, kind, pretty lady, have a heart!"

"A heart! If it gets any more shocks like this--But what am I to tell
Jean? Here's a poor country girl and a noble knight--"

"Don't rub it in. You see Sir Eustace was alive when I came over here.
When I heard of his death I said nothing to anybody, because there are a
lot of silly asses who seem to think a title makes some difference in a
man. And then I was afraid some beastly newspaper would print some rot
about my working as a ranch hand."

"Well, I don't know what's to be done about it," Faith admitted; "but I
do know that now isn't the time for you to see Jean. Really, I think the
best thing you can do is to go away for a week or two."

CHAPTER XXXIII

ANOTHER SURPRISE

Outwardly, life on the Mackay ranch settled back to its old groove. Work
went on as usual. Angus entered into an agreement with McGinity which
relieved him from present money worries. But the actual railway
construction would take time, and meanwhile, next season, he could take
off another crop.

Already the summer was done, the days shortening, the evenings growing
cool. Birds were full-grown and strong of wing. Fogs hung in the
mornings, to be dispelled by the sun slanting a little to southward. The
days were clear, warm, windless. In the lake, trees and mountain ranges
were reflected with the accuracy of a mirror. On these shadows, as
perfect upside down as right side up, Faith expanded photographic film
prodigally.

Chetwood had returned to the ranch, but Jean had refused to restore the
status quo. She treated him with formal politeness, avoiding him
skilfully, taking care that he should not see her alone. Mrs. Foley, now
in complete charge of the ranch kitchen, commented thereon.

"What's th' racket bechune yez?" she asked bluntly. "Ye act like ye was
feared to be wid th' lad alone