h, please come in! It's nothing. I only felt rather--upset.
Something vexed me, but it's nothing of any importance. Can I do
anything for you? Are you expecting Miles? He said he would be home
quite early. Were you going out together?"

"Yes, we have some calls to pay, but there's still half an hour to
spare. He will be up to time, I'm sure. Miles is always punctual."

Mr Gerard seated himself, and looked with concern at Betty's face, on
which the signs of her mental conflict were clearly printed. It was
almost the first time that they had been alone together, for _tete-a-
tetes_ were of rare occurrence in the doctor's busy household, and there
was a perceptible hesitation on both sides.

"No, thank you! You can do nothing for me, but I wish I could help
you," said Gerard. "Can't I pummel somebody? Miles will tell you I
have a good fighting arm. If anyone has been annoying you--"

That made Betty laugh, with a quick wonder as to what Mr Gerard would
say if he knew the identity of his proposed opponent.

"No, no, thank you! I must fight my own battles. As a matter of fact,
it's more temper than anything else. I have a most intrusive temper.
It is always pushing itself forward--"

She expected the usual polite disclaimer, but it did not come. Will
Gerard looked at her for a minute, as if thoughtfully weighing her in
the balance, and then the delightful irradiating smile passed over his
features.

"And it is more difficult to fight now than in the old days, when you
could let yourself go, have a grand rampage, and trust to time and the
aroma of roast chestnuts to make the peace!" he said mischievously; and
when Betty started in dismay--

"Oh, I know all about it! The subject of home is very attractive when
one is alone in exile. I could hardly know more about you if I'd been a
member of your schoolroom party. I used to lure Miles on to talk of old
days. It kept us both occupied. Do you remember the occasion when you
decided to starve yourself to death, because you imagined that you had
been unjustly treated, and then got up in the middle of the first night
to raid a cold chop from the larder? Or the time you vowed vengeance on
Miles for cutting off the ends of your hair to make paint brushes,
repented after you went to bed, and went to make it up, when he
concluded you were playing ghosts, and nearly throttled you as a
welcome?"

Betty laughed, undecided between amusement and vexation.

"