ovement of the young man with
a jealous hunger.

Christopher shook his head resignedly. "It can't be done. It goes on
making itself. We are going to allow ourselves ten thousand a year.
It's a fearful lot for two people"--his eyes wandered across the lawn
to Patricia, where she sat with Renata--"or even three, but that's
what it costs to live properly at Stormly, and the rest has to be used
somehow."

"How about Stormly Park? Do you and Patricia like the place?"

He shook his head again. "I'm afraid we don't. We both feel we are
living in an hotel. But I must be there on the spot, and she too. As
it is, we have only had time to do so little."

"Cottages, schools, hospitals," murmured Mr. Aston, softly.

"They are only means to an end," returned Christopher quickly, "only
what they are entitled to as human beings in a civilised world. Think
of having to begin at that. We've got to make restitution before we
can make progress. They mistrust all one does, of course. They use the
bathrooms as coal stores, their coppers for potatoes, their allotments
as rubbish ground, but it's better than the front yard, and, anyhow,
the children will know a bit more about it."

"You have laid down Patrimondi roads for them," Caesar put in.

"Of course," Christopher answered, accepting it literally, "they
appreciate _that_ at least. The roads were beastly."

Mr. Aston looked at Caesar and they both smiled.

"I've persuaded Sam to open a shop in Stormly and put Jim into it. He
_says_ you can't make a living honestly in grocery, but I'd take
himself in preference to his word."

"You've beaten him after all, old chap."

It was Caesar who spoke, and he held out his thin hand towards his big
boy, who came and sat by him in silence a while. The twilight crept up
over the earth and freed the soul of things as it stole their material
forms. The two men looking out and watching the gentle robber, wasted
no regrets on the day, no fears on the approaching night. Behind them,
where Mr. Aston sat, it was dark already, and as his son watched
Christopher, so he watched Aymer.

"We have made our roads," he thought, "Aymer and I, and thank God we
leave behind us a better Roadmaker still, who will make smooth paths
for the children's feet."

Outside two white figures came slowly towards the house and were
joined by a third, Nevil, to judge by his height.

"Caesar," said Christopher, "have you forgiven me taking my own way and
giving up what