uses, a few minutes back. I was jingling
tunes on them as we passed the school. You heard me jingling 'em!
Dropped them on the road, I suppose, and walked on like a blind bat.
Serves me right to have to turn back to find 'em. Can't lose my keys,
you know. Got to find them somehow, or there'll be the mischief to pay.
You'll have to go on, George, and take Miss Vane with you. There's no
time for conundrums, if you want to get home dry." He looked towards
Ron with questioning eyebrows. "Feel inclined to keep me company? I
don't fancy that walk by my lonesome."

"Of course I do. I should not think of leaving you behind by yourself,
sir," returned Ron eagerly. "We can't have far to go, and we can soon
catch up the others, if we make a sprint for it. Go on, Margot. We'll
be after you in no time."

In the circumstances there was nothing else to be done, nor indeed,
after a long morning spent in wandering about as a party, was Margot
inclined to quarrel with the fate which provided an interesting _tete-a-
tete_ for the walk home. She contented herself with expressing profuse
sympathy for the Chieftain's loss, and with prophesying cheerfully that
the keys were certain to be found, then promptly dismissed the subject
from her mind, and gave herself up to the enjoyment of the moment.

"I really think we are wise not to wait about," George Elgood said, in
accents of self-vindication, as they moved on together. "The glass is
high, but I don't like the look of things, all the same, and for your
sake shall be glad when we are nearer home. Are you pretty warmly
dressed, if the rain should come on?"

"Don't I look it? I couldn't possibly have anything more suitable than
this tweed coat and skirt. It doesn't matter how wet it gets. It won't
spoil."

"I was thinking about your own comfort, not of the clothes. You never
carry an umbrella with you, I notice!"

"I can't be bothered! Showers are such an everyday occurrence up here,
that one would be doing nothing else. I rather like the feel of the
rain on my face, and besides,"--she laughed mischievously, "it's good
for the complexion!"

"Is that so?" he asked gravely, his dark eyes dwelling on the soft,
rounded cheeks, which grew a shade more pink beneath his gaze. Suddenly
his lips twitched, with the one-sided, humorous smile which brought the
youth into his face. "I don't think the need in that direction is so
pressing that it could not be postponed with adv