"What you say is quite true. In the ordinary way no one despises that
type more heartily than your father, but he can't forget that Arthur
was Malcolm's great friend, and for that reason he has a soft spot in
his heart for him. Arthur comes and talks to him about the war and
Malcolm's bravery, and you know what that means to Charles. And then
of course he amuses Therese, who, after all, doesn't get much fun, poor
girl."

Before they realised it the car was swerving into the drive of the
Villa Firenze, whose door stood wide open, framing the butler's
precise, black-clad figure. At sight of him Roger's eye lit up.

"Well, well, Chalmers my lad, how are you? You're looking fairly fit."

Chalmers's wooden face relaxed into so broad a smile as to reveal what
was rarely seen, a missing tooth in the upper story. He greeted the
young man with evident pleasure.

"And so are you looking fit yourself, Mr. Roger, in the very pink, if I
may say so, sir. Had a good crossing, sir?"

"Rotten, thanks. I'm as covered with bruises as it I'd been having a
round with Tunney. Same room, I suppose?"

"Same room, sir. I'll bring up your bags."

With an arm round the ample figure of his aunt, Roger mounted the
stairs.

"I'll wash up a bit, and then do you think I'll be allowed to have a
word with the old man?"

"I'm sure you will. He is eager to see you and to hear your news. I
hope it is good."

"It is; it is absolutely one hundred per cent. good, as they would say
on the other side. I----"

Here he broke off, for, on reaching the top of the staircase, he
suddenly caught sight of a young and trim-looking girl of pleasing
appearance, clad in a uniform of primrose-yellow, with white apron and
cap. She issued from his father's bedroom with an enamelled basin in
her hand, smiled at Miss Clifford for a brief instant, and rapidly
vanished down the hall towards the back stairs. The glimpse was a
short one, yet it was sufficient to disclose the facts of clear, very
child-like hazel eyes, fresh dashes of colour in the cheeks, and an
exceedingly shapely pair of ankles and legs. Roger remained spellbound
on the top step for so long a space that his aunt turned back to
discover the cause.

"That's your day-nurse, I take it?" he asked.

"Yes, such a nice girl, who has been working for the doctor. She only
arrived here yesterday, but I am sure she is an excellent nurse."

"I'm sure she's an excellent dancer," remarked her