r, I
thought it would be nice to have the other painted and fixed up and give
it to Philip for a present."

"Splendid!" said Kate. "It will be the greatest sort of help to him in
his parochial visits--if you can persuade him to accept it. I've been
trying for months to give him a decent horse to take the place of old
Tom. What made you think of it?"

Jemima looked rather embarrassed. "Why, you see I have not been
very--nice to Phil, lately. Not friendly, at least, as I used to be. But
he's gone on just the same, as if nothing were the matter, just as
dignified, and kindly; marrying us so beautifully, and sending us those
rare candelabra, and all ... I like that way of acting, Mother, and I
like Philip. So I thought it would be nice to give him the Ark as--as a
sort of apology, you see."

Kate and James Thorpe exchanged a glance of mutual congratulation.
Evidently the incipient feud was a thing of the past. Marriage was
already rubbing off some of Jemima's edges.

"In that case," said Kate warmly, "I am sure Philip will accept the Ark,
daughter. He would never refuse an apology.--Jacky, why don't you go and
telephone him that the Thorpes are here, and that he is expected for
supper?"

Jacqueline slipped out of the room very gratefully. The tears had been
welling up behind her eyes so fast that she was afraid some of them
would spill over. She wanted desperately to be alone until she had
accustomed herself to the thought of Channing with another woman. A
blonde, pretty person, Jemima had said.--At least she did not sound like
a person who could help him to write books!

CHAPTER XXXIX

As soon as they were alone, Jemima demanded explanations of her mother.
"What has happened to Jacky? Why, she's all eyes! I never saw such a
change! Her smile makes you want to cry, somehow.--Mother, it can't
be--Channing?"

"I am afraid it is--" sighed Kate.

"Then she really cared for him? Why, but that's incredible! Such a man,
Mother! James has told me a good deal about him. He's a sort of male
vampire, always needing a woman to pet and admire him--any sort of
woman. And our Jacqueline!" Her lips set. "Humph! If the child still
cares for him, I'll see that she hears the whole truth about him.
Jacky's not lacking in pride."

"I hope and pray it is only her pride that is suffering now," said Kate,
and took Jemima fully into her confidence. It was a great relief to talk
it over with somebody. She realized how she had m