o doing he
muttered: "Pleasant vacation in sunny South."

And then was silent. I could not think of anything to say. Having
finished dressing he thrust his hands into his trousers pockets and
began to pace about the disordered room.

"Shall we go out in the sun?" I suggested.

"A dark cave would be more in keepin' with my feelings. Let's stop
here a little and talk. What's the idea anyway?"

"Why, the usual idea, I suppose."

"John to give Lucy a divorce, you and Lucy to marry shortly after, and
Jock and Hurry to go to hell! I think less than nothing of the usual
idea. To begin with, why should John give Lucy a divorce? She's the
one that's done all the harm. I _know_ I'm her brother. It only helps
me to see her character clearer than other people do. Well, say he
isn't the fool I think he is. Say he _won't_ give her a divorce? What
then?"

"Hadn't we better cross that bridge when we come to it?"

"In the usual way, I suppose. No. I'm too old-fashioned to like usual
ways of doing things. Furthermore, I like you and Lucy too much. I
don't want to see her life ruined, and John after all is a manufacturer
of ammunition. How about crossin' the bridge and findin' him on the
other side with a big bang-stick in his hand?"

I shrugged my shoulders, though at heart I was not indifferent to the
picture which Schuyler had conjured up.

"Oh," said he, "what a damned mess! Come, we'll talk to Lucy."

I went with him most unwillingly. And I thought it good fortune that
we did not find her alone, but with Evelyn, Dawson and the children.

Schuyler kissed his sister good morning with warm, brotherly affection
and gave her a playful pat or two on the back.

"All we need," he said cheerfully, "is old John, and a girl apiece for
Archie and me, to be a happy family party."

He made goat's eyes at Evelyn and Dawson. The latter blushed. But the
former returned his glance with a fine and mischievous indifference.

"Now, people," Schuyler continued, "I'm on my vacation. I've plenty of
energy, and I'm open to suggestion. You, Evelyn, do you want to ride
with me or with Dawson?"

"I want to ride with you, but I'm going to play golf with Dawson."

"When?"

"We were just lingering to say good morning."

She rose a little languidly, and I perceived with misgivings that she
and Dawson were really about to depart.

"Well," said Schuyler, "any time you feel like shakin' Dawson, just put
me wise, there's a