ke a look at me, if it
wouldn't be too much trouble. I don't WANT to be too fresh--and perhaps
they wouldn't come anyhow--and if it is, please won't you tell me, Miss
Vanderpoel?"

Betty thought of Mount Dunstan as he had stood and talked to her in
the deepening afternoon sun. She did not know much of him, but she
thought--having heard G. Selden's story of the lunch--that he would
come. She had never seen Mr. Penzance, but she knew she should like to
see him.

"I think you might write the note," she said. "I believe they would come
to see you."

"Do you?" with eager pleasure. "Then I'll do it. I'd give a good deal to
see them again. I tell you, they are just It--both of them."

CHAPTER XXVII

LIFE

Mount Dunstan, walking through the park next morning on his way to the
vicarage, just after post time, met Mr. Penzance himself coming to make
an equally early call at the Mount. Each of them had a letter in his
hand, and each met the other's glance with a smile.

"G. Selden," Mount Dunstan said. "And yours?"

"G. Selden also," answered the vicar. "Poor young fellow, what ill-luck.
And yet--is it ill-luck? He says not."

"He tells me it is not," said Mount Dunstan. "And I agree with him."

Mr. Penzance read his letter aloud.

"DEAR SIR:

"This is to notify you that owing to my bike going back on me when going
down hill, I met with an accident in Stornham Park. Was cut about the
head and leg broken. Little Willie being far from home and mother, you
can see what sort of fix he'd been in if it hadn't been for the kindness
of Reuben S. Vanderpoel's daughters--Miss Bettina and her sister Lady
Anstruthers. The way they've had me taken care of has been great.
I've been under a nurse and doctor same as if I was Albert Edward with
appendycytus (I apologise if that's not spelt right). Dear Sir, this is
to say that I asked Miss Vanderpoel if I should be butting in too much
if I dropped a line to ask if you could spare the time to call and see
me. It would be considered a favour and appreciated by

"G. SELDEN,

"Delkoff Typewriter Co. Broadway.

"P. S. Have already sold three Delkoffs to Miss Vanderpoel."

"Upon my word," Mr. Penzance commented, and his amiable fervour quite
glowed, "I like that queer young fellow--I like him. He does not wish to
'butt in too much.' Now, there is rudimentary delicacy in that. And what
a humorous, forceful figure of speech! Some butting animal--a goat, I
seem to see, prefer