ntally and spiritually untroubled, with a superb
physique, and I'll show you a girl equipped for the happiness of this
world. And that is what Eileen is."

"I should say," observed Selwyn, "that she's equipped for the slaughter
of man."

"Yes, but _I_ am selecting the victim," replied his sister demurely.

"Oh! Have you? Already?"

"Tentatively."

"Who?"

"Sudbury Gray, I think--with Scott Innis for an understudy--perhaps the
Draymore man as alternate--I don't know; there's time."

"Plenty," he said vaguely, staring into the fire where a log had
collapsed into incandescent ashes.

She continued to talk about Eileen until she noticed that his mind was
on other matters--his preoccupied stare enlightened her. She said
nothing for a while.

But he woke up when Austin came in and settled his big body in a chair.

"Drina, the little minx, called me back on some flimsy pretext," he
said, relighting his cigar; "I forgot that time was going--and she was
wily enough to keep me talking until Miss Paisely caught me at it and
showed me out. I tell you," turning on Selwyn--"children are what make
life worth wh--" He ceased abruptly at a gentle tap from his wife's
foot, and Selwyn looked up.

Whether or not he divined the interference he said very quietly: "I'd
rather have had children than anything in the world. They're about the
best there is in life; I agree with you, Austin."

His sister, watching him askance, was relieved to see his troubled face
become serene, though she divined the effort.

"Kids are the best," he repeated, smiling at her. "Failing them, for
second choice, I've taken to the laboratory. Some day I'll invent
something and astonish you, Nina."

"We'll fit you up a corking laboratory," began Austin cordially; "there
is--"

"You're very good; perhaps you'll all be civil enough to move out of the
house if I need more room for bottles and retorts--"

"Of _course_, Phil must have his laboratory," insisted Nina. "There's
loads of unused room in this big barn--only you don't mind being at the
top of the house, do you, Phil?"

"Yes, I do; I want to be in the drawing-room--or somewhere so that you
all may enjoy the odours and get the benefit of premature explosions.
Oh, come now, Austin, if you think I'm going to plant myself here on
you--"

"Don't notice him, Austin," said Nina, "he only wishes to be implored.
And, by the same token, you'd both better let me implore you to dress!"
She rose and ben