coughed again, and muttered something about "children" and
"business."

"And if I'm going to-morrow I had better get back and pack," continued
the girl.

"Plenty of time in the morning," said the captain. "It'll make the
time pass. It's a mistake to stow your things away too soon--a great
mistake."

"I would sooner do it, though," said Joan, pausing. 170

"You come along to Tranquil Vale," said Captain Trimblett, with forced
joviality. "Never mind about your packing. Stay to supper, and I'll see
you home afterward."

Miss Hartley eyed him thoughtfully.

"Why?" she inquired.

"Pleasure of your company," said the captain.

"Why?" said Miss Hartley again.

The captain eyed her thoughtfully in his turn.

"I--I haven't told 'em I'm going yet," he said, slowly. "It'll be a
little surprise to them, perhaps. Miss Willett will be there. She's
a silly thing. She and Peter might make a duet about it If you are
there----"

"I'll take care of you," said Joan, with a benevolent smile. "You'll be
safe with me. What a pity you didn't bring your little troubles to me at
first!"

The captain turned a lurid eye upon her, and then, realizing that
silence was more dignified and certainly safer than speech, said
nothing. He walked on with head erect and turned a deaf ear to the faint
sounds which Miss Hartley was endeavouring to convert into coughs.

Mrs. Chinnery, who was sitting alone in the front room, rose and greeted
her with some warmth as she entered, and, the usual reproachful question
put and answered as to the length of time since her last visit, took her
hat from her and went upstairs with it. An arch smile from Miss Hartley
during her absence was met by the ungrateful captain with a stony stare.

"I came to bid you good-by," said Joan, as Mrs. Chinnery returned. "I am
off to London to-morrow."

"London!" said Mrs. Chinnery.

"I am going to stay with an uncle," replied Joan.

"Quite a coincidence, isn't it?" said the captain, averting his gaze
from the smiling face of Miss Hartley, and trying to keep his voice
level.

"Coincidence!" said Mrs. Chinnery, staring at him.

[Illustration: I've got to go, too, said the captain 180]

"I've got to go, too," said the captain, with what he fondly imagined
was a casual smile. "Got to run up and see my boys and girls. Just a
flying visit there and back. So we are going together."

"You!" said the astonished Mrs. Chinnery. "Why didn't you tell me? Why,
I've got not