he two young men had indulged in their
first serious quarrel.

Bangs, usually the most modest and self-conscious of youths, had
abruptly lost his shyness under the urge of a need to talk about his
chum to some one who would understand. And Louise had understood, quite
surprisingly. Recalling the long talk he and she had had, the help she
had given him, the plans they had made, Rodney grew very serious.

"It's lucky Sonya's in town," he said, when this further fact had been
revealed. "Let's go over to the hotel and see her right after breakfast.
Perhaps we ought to cable to Warren. Sonya will know."

He spoke with such studied carelessness that Laurie flashed a sudden
look at him. Under it Bangs flushed to the roots of his burnished
pompadour.

"Well, well," murmured Laurie, "this _is_ interesting! Odd I didn't
notice it before."

Whatever "it" was, he gave his whole attention to it now. Leaning
forward, he ostentatiously studied Bangs, with an expression at once
indulgent and amazed.

"A flush on his cheek, too," he mused aloud.

"Shut up!" Bangs clenched his teeth, while the flush deepened.

"Easily irritated; respiration slightly irregular, all the familiar
symptoms."

"For God's sake, Laurie, don't be an ass!" begged Bangs.

"All the familiar symptoms--of a heavy cold," murmured Laurie,
sympathetically. "A hot bath and a dose of quinine might help at this
stage. But if it gets worse--" Laurie reflected, anxiously shaking his
head--"if it gets worse I'll send for Sonya," he finished brightly.

He rose, dodged the roll Rodney hurled at him, and strolled out of the
room, opening the door again to add an afterthought that suddenly
occurred to him.

"Don't risk your life by going to the hotel, old man," he added, kindly.
"Take your quinine, and I will call on Sonya."

"She'll tell us whether or not to cable for Warren," repeated Bangs,
with great dignity.

But Sonya, when she came into her hotel sitting-room an hour later, did
not immediately solve this problem. For the moment her mind was wholly
on the Infant Samuel, who was to have his adenoids cut out that morning,
and who had been encouraged to look forward to the experience as a new
delight. While they were expressing fitting interest, Samuel himself
entered the room, alone, but with all the effect of a juvenile
procession. By the left leg he dragged his most cherished possession, a
battered and dim-featured rag doll. Hospitably greeting the two you