e latter said. "However, he
has not been long in England and no doubt the risk of such outbreaks
will presently vanish. In the meantime one must make some allowances."

"For the owner of Langrigg?"

"Oh, well," said Mrs. Halliday, "I suppose I did mean this, but perhaps
not altogether in the way you think. There is a rude vein in the
Dearhams that comes to the surface now and then. One hardly noted it
in Joseph, but in Bernard it's rather marked. I imagine he has some
sympathy for Jim's extravagances. This may have its influence."

"Bernard is inscrutable," Evelyn rejoined. "One cannot foretell what
he will do."

Mrs. Halliday saw that Evelyn understood; she had, in fact, expected
her to understand, and her voice was thoughtful as she resumed: "After
all, his approval is not essential. You have some money; I do not know
about Jim, but he is spending much."

"It may be all he has; he is not afraid of a risk," said Evelyn, with a
touch of color, for she was fastidious and her mother was blunt.

Then for a moment or two she mused. She was afraid of a risk; this was
the trouble. Adventure, romance, and to some extent passion urged, but
caution deterred. The romance would vanish and Jim might jar.

"Langrigg gives its owner a firm position," Mrs. Halliday resumed.
"Even if he were poor, his wife would take a leading place in the Holm
country. People pretend to scoff at such things, but they count."

"Much would depend on the owner. If he broke the family traditions,
defied our conventions, and made himself a joke----"

"Much would be forgiven him because he is a Dearham," Mrs. Halliday
rejoined. "Still, of course, there is a limit and I see a risk. Jim
needs guidance for a time and it's possible his Canadian friends
encourage his un-English idiosyncrasies. The girl has some beauty; I
would sooner she did not stay long. If Jim could be advised----"

Evelyn smiled. "I cannot advise him. Besides, he's very staunch and
owes these people much."

"Oh, well," said Mrs. Halliday. "In such a matter, one cannot meddle
unless it is certain one's advice would be well received. We must let
it go. Perhaps the Winters do not mean to remain very long."

"I think Jake means to stay until the marsh is drained, and I don't
suppose the others will go until he is ready."

Mrs. Halliday frowned. "Jim is rather annoying. Sometimes he vexes
me, but in a sense it is our duty to protect him. It has been a
distu