woman. Dad's work isn't. He never
forgets mother for a minute."

"And you think that I'll forget Eve?"

"Yes. And she'll hate that."

There was a spark in his eye.

"I think that we won't discuss Eve, Marie-Louise."

"Then I'll discuss her in a poem. Lend me a pencil, please."

He gave her the pencil and a prescription pad, and she set to work. She
read snatches to him as she progressed. It was remarkably clever, with a
constantly recurring refrain.

"_Let me watch my sheep," said the lover, "my sheep on the hills._"

The verses went on to relate that the girl, finding her shepherd
dilatory, turned her attention to another swain, and at last she flouts
the shepherd.

"_Go watch your sheep, laggard lover, your sheep on the hills._"

She laid the verses aside as Tony and Win joined them.

"Three rubbers, and Pip and Eve are ahead."

"Isn't Eve coming?"

"She said she was coming up soon."

But she did not come, and Pip did not come. Marie-Louise, with a great
rug spread over her, slept in her chair. Dutton Ames read aloud to his
wife. Richard rose and went to look for Eve.

There was a little room which Pip called "The Skipper's own." It was
furnished in a man's way as a den, with green leather and carved oak and
plenty of books. Its windows gave a forward view of sky and water.

It was here that the four of them had been playing auction. Eve was now
shuffling the cards for Solitaire.

Pip, watching her, caught suddenly at her left hand. "Why didn't Brooks
give you a better ring?"

"I like my ring. Let go of my hand, Pip."

"I won't. What's the matter with the man that he should dare dream of
tying you down to what he can give you? It seems to me that he lacks
pride."

"He doesn't lack anything. Let go of my hand, Pip."

But he still held it. "How he could have the courage to ask--until he
had made a name for himself."

She blazed. "He didn't ask. I asked him, Pip. I cared enough for that."

He dropped her hand as if it had stung him. "You cared--as much as that?"

She faced him bravely. "As much as that--it pleased me to say what it was
my right to say."

"Oh! It was the queen, then, and the--beggar man. _Eve_, come back."

She was at the door, but she turned. "I'll come back if you will beg my
pardon. Richard is not a beggar, and I am not the queen. How hateful you
are, Pip."

"I won't beg your pardon. And let's have this out right now, Eve."

"Have what out?"

"Sit down, and I'll t