from the bravado of her look,
and began to take the covers off the breakfast dishes.

Toby leaned back provocatively in her chair, and whistled under her
breath. She was plainly in a dare-devil mood, but it was not her custom
to dare Jake.

"What have you done to your hands?" he said, as she reached out for the
plate he offered her.

She coloured deeply. "Nothing--I mean--nothing serious. I often get my
hands scratched."

"Why don't you tell me the truth?" said Jake.

Maud looked up from her letter. "It is as I thought. Charlie wants us to
go down to Fairharbour to-morrow. He is getting together a luncheon party
on board the yacht. The Melroses will be there and some of the polo
people staying at The Anchor. Jake, you will come and support me, won't
you?"

Jake shook his head. "Bunny can do that job, my girl. I've got to get
ready for Goodwood. Forest Fire is going to make his mark there."

"Oh, bother Forest Fire!" said Maud. "I want you."

"What for?" said Jake.

"Well, General Melrose knows you. He was talking of you down at the Club
the other afternoon. And I want him to meet you--with me. Please come,
Jake!" Maud spoke persuasively.

"All right," said Jake.

"You will?"

"I will," he said, smiling a little. "You don't often interfere with my
liberty. I remember old Melrose, met him years ago at Doncaster. He's
always been keen on the Turf, and he stood by me once when--someone--was
trying to queer my pitch."

"Oh!" said Maud. "You mean the time that Charlie let you down! Poor
Charlie! He was horribly ashamed of himself afterwards."

Toby looked up sharply, and again the colour came into her face, mounting
swiftly to her forehead. She appeared to be on the verge of hot speech,
but no words came.

It was Jake who spoke in his soft, easy drawl. "Oh, I guess he's grown a
bit since then. Anyway, whatever his intentions, he never managed to do
me any harm. And I rather think his malice is dead now."

"It died long ago," said Maud quietly. "He owes you a great deal, Jake.
You've taught him to be a man."

"I?" said Jake. "My dear, your partiality runs away with your judgment.
Have some ham!"

He dismissed the matter in his own calm fashion, and began to talk of his
animals. Breakfast proceeded, but Toby scarcely spoke and ate very
little.

"It's so hot to-day," she said when presently Maud remonstrated with her.
"I can't eat when it's hot--really." She pushed her plate away and rose
from the tabl