nt, and I simply don't
understand how she can keep up such a life--if it's true that her
husband is only losing money. Last time I was with her I couldn't help
thinking that she ought to--to deny herself rather more. It's habit, I
suppose.'

Harvey nodded--twice, thrice; and kept a grave countenance.

'And you don't care to see much of Mrs. Abbott?' he rather let fall
than spoke.

'Well, you know, dear, I don't mean to be at all disagreeable, but we
have so little in common. Isn't it so? I am sure Mrs. Abbott isn't
anxious for my society.'

Again Rolfe sat silent, and again Alma stole glances at him.

'Shall I tell you something I have in mind?' he said at length, with
deliberation. 'Hughie, you know, is three years old. Pauline does very
well with him, but it is time that he had companions--other children.
In half a year or so he might go to a kindergarten, and'--he made an
instant's pause--'I know only of one which would be really good for
him. I think he will have to go to Mrs. Abbott.'

Their eyes met, and the speaker's were steadily fixed.

'But the distance?' objected Alma.

'Yes. If we want to do that, we must go to Gunnersbury.'

Alma's look fell. She tapped with her foot and meditated, slightly
frowning. But, before Harvey spoke again, the muscles of her face
relaxed, and she turned to him with a smile, as though some reflection
had brought relief.

'You wouldn't mind the bother of moving?'

'What is that compared with Hughie's advantage? And if one lives in
London, it's in the nature of things to change houses once a year or
so.'

'But we don't live in London!' returned Alma, with a laugh.

'Much the same thing. At Gunnersbury you would be nearer to everything,
you know.'

'Then you would send away Pauline?'

Harvey made a restless movement, and gave a husky cough.

'Well, I don't know. You see, Hughie would be with Mrs. Abbott only a
few hours each day. Who is to look after the little man at other times?
I suppose I can't very well undertake it myself--though I'm glad to see
as much of him as possible; and I won't let him be with a servant.
So----'

Alma was gazing at the fire, and seemed to give only a divided
attention to what her husband said. Her eyes grew wide; their vision,
certainly, was of nothing that disturbed or disheartened her.

'You have given me two things to think about, Harvey. Will you reflect
on the _one_ that I suggested?'

'Then you meant it seriously?'

'I mea