earnest or are you not? I want to know your
intentions, that's all."

"I can't enlighten you, then," returned Fisher.

Charlie laughed without effort.

"Cautious old duffer!" he said. "Well, tell me this! I've no right to
ask it. Only somehow I've got to know. You care for her, don't you?"

Fisher looked at him keenly for a moment. "Why do you ask?" he said.

"Oh, it's infernal impertinence, of course. I admit that," said Charlie,
his tanned face growing suddenly red. "I suspected it, you see, ages
ago--on board ship, in fact. Is it true, then?"

Fisher turned abruptly from him, and began to wind his watch with
extreme care. He spoke at length with his back turned on Charlie, who
was waiting with extraordinary patience for his answer.

"Yes," he said deliberately. "It is true."

"Go on and prosper!" said Charlie with a gay laugh. "You have my
blessing, old chap. Thanks for telling me!"

He moved up to Fisher and thrust out an immense brown paw.

"Take a friend's advice, man!" he said. "Ask her soon!"

Then he bounced out of the room with his usual brisk energy, and shut
the door noisily behind him.

VII

Was it by happy accident or by some kind friend's deliberate provision
that Fisher found himself walking alone with Molly Erle to church on the
following Sunday? Across the frosty park the voices of the other
churchgoers sounded fitfully distinct.

Charlie Cleveland and another boy called Archie Croft, as hare-brained
as himself, were making Mrs. Langdale slide along the slippery drive.
Mrs. Langdale's laughter could be plainly heard. Molly thought her,
privately, rather childish to suffer herself to be thus carried away.

Her companion was sauntering very slowly at her side.

"I think we are late," Molly presently remarked, in a suggestive tone.

"Are we?" said Fisher. "Does it matter?"

"Yes," said Molly with decision. "I don't like going in after the
service has begun."

"We won't," said Fisher.

She looked at him in some surprise and found him gravely watching her.

"I don't think we ought to do that," she remarked, smiling a little.

"I'll go with you to-night," said Fisher, "if you will come with me
now."

They had come to a path that branched off towards the shore. He stopped
with an air of determination.

Molly stopped too, looking irresolute. Her heart was beating very fast.
She wished he would turn his eyes away.

Suddenly he took his hand from his pocket and held it out to her