ean
record, and you'll win out and marry Sheila Melrose. But Saltash--well,
he's got a damn heavy handicap, and if he pulls off this, it'll be one of
the biggest events I've ever seen. Say, what's the matter?"

Bunny had sprung to his feet. He stood looking at Jake with an expression
half-startled and half-indignant. "Jake--you beast! What made you say
that?" he demanded.

"What?" said Jake, and began to smile openly. "Well, guess it's pretty
near the mark, isn't it? I saw which way the wind was trying to blow some
time ago. Mean to say you didn't?"

Bunny swung upon his heel. "Confound you!" he said, and was silent for
several seconds.

Jake smoked imperturbably on. He knew all the workings of Bunny's mind
with the sure intuition of long intimacy. When finally the boy spoke
again without turning he almost knew what he would say.

"Think I'm--very despicable, Jake?"

The question had a shamed and sullen ring. Bunny's head was bent. He was
examining a little china figure on the mantelpiece with nervous
concentration.

Jake arose without fuss or preliminary, and pushed a brotherly arm round
the bent shoulders. "Guess you've never been that, sonny," he said very
kindly. "But--you take an old man's advice and go a bit slow! She'll
think all the better of you for it."

"She'll never look at me," muttered Bunny, gripping the hand that pressed
his shoulder without raising his eyes.

"Ho, won't she?" said Jake. "I've seen her look at you more than
once--and the old General too. Reckon they both thought you were throwing
yourself away on Toby, and maybe they had some reason to think so.
Anyway, she never was your sort. I seem to remember telling you so once."

"I was a fool," said Bunny, and then in a moment straightened himself
and looked Jake in the eyes. "It wasn't Toby's fault," he said with
abrupt generosity. "She didn't want to get engaged to me. I made her.
I knew--all along--she wasn't very keen. But I thought I loved her enough
to make it all right. I was wrong. I didn't."

"Beginning to know better?" suggested Jake, with a smile.

"Beginning to realize what a fool I've been," said Bunny ruefully. "You
don't think I've done for myself then? Think I've still got a chance?"

"Sure thing!" said Jake. "But go carefully. You've got a fence or two to
clear before you get home." He paused a moment, then gave him a kindly
hand-grip. "Say, Bunny," he said, "there's nothing despicable about
making a mistake. It's