men against the light,
carrying something heavy, and I almost fainted. You see, it was just the
way it looked when I saw them bringing my poor brother-in-law in,
next door, only such a few short days ago. And I thought I'd seen your
daughter start for a drive with Bibbs Sheridan in a car about three
o'clock--and-- They aren't back yet, are they?"

"No. Good heavens!"

"And the only thing I could think of was that something must have
happened to them, and I just dashed over--and it was only your PIANO!"
She broke into laughter again. "I suppose you're just sending it
somewhere to be repaired, aren't you?"

"It's--it's being taken down-town," said Mrs. Vertrees. "Won't you come
in and make me a little visit. I was SO sorry, the other day, that I
was--ah--" She stopped inconsequently, then repeated her invitation.
"Won't you come in? I'd really--"

"Thank you, but I must be running back. My husband usually gets home
about this time, and I make a little point of it always to be there."

"That's very sweet." Mrs. Vertrees descended the steps and walked toward
the street with Sibyl. "It's quite balmy for so late in November, isn't
it? Almost like a May evening."

"I'm afraid Miss Vertrees will miss her piano," said Sibyl, watching
the instrument disappear into the big van at the curb. "She plays
wonderfully, Mrs. Kittersby tells me."

"Yes, she plays very well. One of your relatives came to hear her
yesterday, after dinner, and I think she played all evening for him."

"You mean Bibbs?" asked Sibyl.

"The--the youngest Mr. Sheridan. Yes. He's very musical, isn't he?"

"I never heard of it. But I shouldn't think it would matter much whether
he was or not, if he could get Miss Vertrees to play to him. Does your
daughter expect the piano back soon?"

"I--I believe not immediately. Mr. Sheridan came last evening to hear
her play because she had arranged with the--that is, it was to be
removed this afternoon. He seems almost well again."

"Yes." Sibyl nodded. "His father's going to try to start him to work."

"He seems very delicate," said Mrs. Vertrees. "I shouldn't think he
would be able to stand a great deal, either physically or--" She paused
and then added, glowing with the sense of her own adroitness--"or
mentally."

"Oh, mentally Bibbs is all right," said Sibyl, in an odd voice.

"Entirely?" Mrs. Vertrees asked, breathlessly.

"Yes, entirely."

"But has he ALWAYS been?" This question came with the same