still with his
speculative smile.

"Yes, indeed, and I hope she'll bring him home soon. It's real raw on
the water to-day in spite of the sun, and the judge's bronicals ain't
jest as strong as they might be."

"Oh, Mrs. Lem, Mrs. Lem," laughed Thinkright quietly, entering the
house and hanging up his hat.

"There they come now!" she exclaimed, herself hastily retreating into
the kitchen.

Thinkright looked out to see Sylvia's uncovered bright head level with
the judge's high hat as they strolled up the hill. The lawyer's hands
were clasped behind his back, and Thinkright augured peace from the
deliberation of the strollers.

He met them at the door. Sylvia's grave face changed to a pensive smile
at sight of him, and Judge Trent gave his cousin's hand a dry, short
shake.

"How are you, Thinkright? See if you can't find a light boat and
manageable oars for Sylvia in this vicinity. I found her catching crabs
and losing oars at a great rate down there, and splashing herself till
she resembled a mermaid. Hello, Minty," for here the child drew her
doubtful and reluctant feet into the room, her wide eyes always a
little shy at first of the brusque and powerful man in the high hat. "I
have something for you." The judge began feeling in his coat pocket. "I
bought you a bag of gumdrops, and regret that I forgot and have been
sitting on them all the afternoon." He produced the paper bag.
"Fortunately, they are the durable brand for sale at the village and
warranted to withstand any pressure. At worst they will be lozenges
now."

"Why did you surprise us?" asked Thinkright, as Minty beamingly
accepted the striped bag. "Why didn't you let me send the team over?"

"Oh, you know I'm a creature of impulse," returned the lawyer, with his
dry smile; "I acted with my usual lack of calculation. Made up my mind
to come one minute, and took the train the next."

Thinkright did not reply, but glanced toward Sylvia, who was pulling
the blue sweater off over her head.

CHAPTER XIV

BLIND MAN'S HOLIDAY

Upon Judge Trent's return to town John Dunham did not disappear in a
cloud of dust to make his call on Miss Derwent. He took the precaution
to telephone, and discovered that she was out of the city.

He felt considerable curiosity regarding his employer's experiences at
the farm, but true to his new and safe policy he asked not a single
question. Business required the judge's immediate attention upon his
arrival, but a