hing she asked me."

"I'll tell her--she will be so pleased, I know. She asked about you
yesterday. I'll let you know as soon as I can."

Belden, a little later, hurried downstairs, with a confused idea of
thanking her. On the threshold of the library he paused, amazed.
Dr. Hitchcock sat before a small green baize table, studying five
playing-cards held fan-shape in his left hand. Opposite him sat Miss
Strong, holding the pack expectantly.

"You can give me two, my dear, I think," he said as Belden entered.
Looking up, he smiled apologetically.

"I dare say you are surprised," he suggested, "but I have been much
exasperated, Mr. Belden, and a long experience has taught me that
nothing so quickly clears the mind as throwing a few hands of poker.
Miss Strong--an invaluable person--is kindly assisting me. Did I say
three? Yes, of course. Thank you. We are playing for beans only, you
see."

Belden watched them curiously. She sat as imperturbably as by Caddy's
bedside, her eyes fixed thoughtfully on her cards.

"--And raise you three," she said.

"Five more. You will excuse me, Belden, but your aunt, Mrs. Wetherly, is
a somewhat unusually irritating woman. I'll see you, Miss Strong--ah,
yes, two pair, queens up."

"What has she done?"

"She insists that Mrs. Moore shall not only see Mr. Burchard, to which
I have not the least objection, but that he shall hold a communion
service, directly, there. Now, if your sister had asked for this
herself, it would be another matter, but unless this is the case I
always regard it as a depressing agent. It is a strain, in any case."

"I think Mrs. Moore will go through with it very easily, doctor," Miss
Strong interposed, slipping the cards into their leather envelope and
gathering up the beans. "She will be fresh from her nap, and it will
be very short. She has promised Mrs. Wetherly, you know, and it would
distress her more to break it--"

"All right, all right. Have it your way. Much obliged."

He took the cards from her and went out.

"My aunt is very trying," Belden began.

"Oh, many people feel so about it," she assured him, "especially High
Church people. She only did what she thought right."

He drew a breath of relief.

"You'll see she's not too tired?" he asked; and as he went to luncheon
he wondered at the comfort he derived from her mute nod.

He was roused from the table, where the dishes left by them were
untouched for the most part, by a disturbance in