because I know I could do
it myself."

Again the man held out his arms. "Then," he said simply, "won't you try?
If you can only feel sure that the person has the qualities you admire
it is possible that he could acquire one or two."

Agatha drew back. "And I've changed ever so much since that photograph
was taken!" she exclaimed with a catch in her voice.

Wyllard admitted it. "Yes," he said, "I recognized that; you were a
little immature then. I know that now--but all the graciousness and
sweetness in you has grown and ripened. What is more, you have grown
just as I seemed to know you would. I saw that clearly the day we met
beside the stepping-stones. I would have asked you to marry me in
England, only Gregory stood in the way."

The color ebbed suddenly out of the girl's face as she remembered.

"Gregory," she declared in a strained voice, "stands in the way still. I
didn't send him away altogether. I'm not sure I made that clear."

Wyllard stood very still for a moment or two.

"I wonder," he said, "if there's anything significant in the fact that
you gave me that reason last. He failed you in some way?"

"I'm not sure that I haven't failed him; but I can't go into that."

Again Wyllard stood silent. Then he turned to her with a strong
restraint in his face.

"Gregory is a friend of mine," he said, "there is, at least, one very
good reason why I should remember it, but it seems that somehow he
hadn't the wit to keep you. Well, I can only wait, but when the time
seems ripe I shall ask you again. Until then you have my promise that I
will not say another word that could distress you. Perhaps I had better
take you back to Mrs. Hastings now."

Agatha turned away, and they walked back together silently.

CHAPTER XIII

THE SUMMONS

Mrs. Hastings was standing beside her wagon in the gathering dusk when
Agatha and Wyllard joined her. After Wyllard had helped the two women
into the vehicle she looked down at him severely as she gathered up the
reins.

"By this time Allen will have had to put the kiddies to bed," she said.
"Christina, as you might have borne in mind, goes over to Branstock's
every evening. Anyway, you'll drive across and see him about that team
as soon as you can; come to supper."

"I'll try," promised Wyllard with a certain hesitation. Mrs. Hastings
turned to Agatha as they drove away.

"Why did he look at you before he answered me?" she asked, and laughed,
for there was just li