that he has, he shares; and when
he speaks, let no dog bark! When we read about impossible heroes in
books we called them `Gerard'; when we wanted to express the acme of
perfection, we called a thing `Gerardy.' Jill read aloud the _Swiss
Family Robinson_ to Pam, and called the good proper papa `Mr Gerard'
all the way through. So now!"

"Now, indeed!" echoed the real Mr Gerard, laughing. "You are certainly
revenged, Miss Trevor. I don't know anything more trying than to be
preceded by an impossibly exaggerated character! The reality is bound
to be a disappointment. Miles has credited me with his own virtues, for
in reality I am a very faulty person; not in the least like that
paragon, Robinson Papa, of whom I have a vivid remembrance. He would
have been a useful person out in Mexico, all the same. That convenient
habit of discovering every necessity for the table or the toilet on the
nearest bush would have helped us out of many a dilemma."

They laughed together over the old-time memory, and then, suddenly
sobering, Mr Gerard continued--

"At any rate, Miss Trevor, the fact remains, that by `good report or
ill,' even by sight, so far as photographs can reproduce us, we have
been intimately acquainted with each other for the last six years. Six
years is a long time. It ought to enable us to meet as friends rather
than acquaintances?"

The last sentence was uttered more as a question than a fact, and Betty
answered with eager acquiescence.

"Oh yes, as friends, quite old friends. It is far better so--"

"Yet there are times when you treat me like the veriest stranger! It
must be my own fault. Have I done or said anything since my arrival
which has displeased you?"

"Oh no! Please don't think so. It was nothing at all, not a thing,
except only that--"

She could not say, "Except that you seemed to prefer Jill's society to
mine," and so complete the sentence; so she subsided into blushing
silence, and Mr Gerard tactfully forbore to question.

"Don't let there be any more `excepts' or `buts,' please! Take me on
trust as Miles' friend and--if you will allow me--your own. That is all
I request."

At this interesting moment the sound of a latchkey was heard in the
front door, followed by voices and footsteps in the hall. Mr Gerard
muttered something under his breath. What the exact words were Betty
did not know, but they were certainly not indicative of pleasure. Then
the door opened, and Miles