"Oh, nothing, nothing! It's the beastly weather, I expect."

She looked at him quizzically with her queer eyes.

"I shouldn't have thought the weather would depress you," she said.
"However, if you say it does----"

He shook himself together.

"I'm not depressed any longer," he declared. "Well, and how are you?
And how is the swindle?" It was Micky's pet joke to call June's
invention the "swindle," though in his heart he was almost as proud of
it as she was.

She laughed.

"It's very well, thank you; but that isn't what I want to talk to you
about to-day. Micky, would you like to come to tea with me one
afternoon?"

Micky stared.

"Tea! Haven't I come to tea with you to-day?"

"Silly! I don't mean here; I mean where I live. It's a boarding-house.
I dare say you'll hate it, but it's really quite a nice place, and
beggars can't be choosers, anyway. I've got a very comfortable
sitting-room and most of my own furniture, and I can give you a good
cup of tea, or anything else, if you prefer it."

"I shall be delighted," Micky looked puzzled. "But isn't this rather a
breaking of rules? It's not so very long ago that you made me swear
never to try and find out where you lived. I thought it was all to be
a deadly secret."

"So it was, but I've decided to admit you. I know you're safe, and,
Micky, wouldn't you like to meet the dearest, prettiest, most
attractive little girl...."

Micky moved his chair back in mock alarm.

"June! You're not turning match-maker! If you are, I give you fair
warning that our friendship will have to end once and for ever. I'll
put up with a lot from you, but not this--not...."

"Don't be an idiot!" said June calmly. "There isn't the slightest
fear! And anyway----" she added, with a half sigh, "she's engaged, so
it wouldn't be any good. But I want you to help her.... Oh, I know I'm
always bringing you foundlings to help and look after, but you've got
such a big heart--and such a big banking account," she added
audaciously.

"Well, go on----" he said resignedly. "Who is the foundling this time,
and what am I to do?"

Micky laughed.

"She's a darling," June said warmly. "I've only known her for four
days--she lives in the same house. I took a fancy to her from the
first moment I saw her. No, it was before that--it was when I first
heard her name...."

Micky raised his brows.

"What a creature of impulse! My dear, you'll burn your fingers badly
some day."

"And when I do," sa