e," said Farnsworth, laughing at this tempest in a
teapot, "play fair. We all like you, and we all like Azalea, whether she
models herself on you or not; so let's all love one another,--and let it
go at that!"

"Yes," said Patty, "and now, my fellow lovers and loveresses, I must
take my small daughter in and send her to sleepy-by, and the rest of you
have just about half an hour before it's time to dress for dinner. The
two Gales may consider themselves invited,--if they will honour us."

"Delighted," replied Betty, "though not overwhelmingly surprised at the
invitation. Howsumever, we must fly back home for some purple and fine
linen, and then we'll return anon. I'm usually returning here, anon! I
wonder what I ever did, Patty, before you came here to live as our
hospitable neighbours!"

"There's half an hour, Azalea," said Van Reypen, "come for a toddle down
to the brook, and let's talk things over."

The two started off, and for a few moments walked along in silence.

Azalea was in a quiet, chastened mood,--a side of her character that
Phil had never before seen, and he noted with pleasure the gentle
sweetness of her face and the soft tones of her voice.

"It woke me up," she said, reminiscently, "when that man tried to take
Fleurette from my arms. I would have fought him like a tiger if I hadn't
suddenly realised that the way to fix _him_ was by strategy. I just
happened to think that by means of the record I could fool him into
believing we were in the library, when really we were flying to refuge.
I knew he wouldn't come in as long as he felt sure we were there, for he
was watching out for the Farnsworths' return. So, I tried the scheme,
and it worked!"

"Then you went bravely back to face the music!"

"Oh, I wasn't afraid of him,--for myself. He's not at all a ruffian
sort,--and he never would have hurt the baby. Only,--he was bound to get
her!"

"Well, he didn't succeed,--thanks to you, and I don't think he'll ever
try it again."

"Oh, I'm sure he won't! He's afraid of Bill, all right! Any one would
be who had seen the gleam in Cousin William's eyes when he fired Mr.
Merritt!"

Azalea laughed a little at the recollection,--then she sighed.

"Why the sigh?" asked Van Reypen, looking at the expressive face of the
girl, as her smile faded and her sensitive mouth drooped at the corners.

"Oh,--nothing--and everything! Don't ask questions!" She shook her
shoulders as if flinging off a troublesome thou