ever
he braced himself to ask for an explanation, he found himself held back.
There was a boundary he could not pass, a force relentless and
irresistible, that checked him at the very outset. He lacked the
strength to batter down the iron will that opposed him behind that
unaccustomed gentleness. He could only bow miserably to the unspoken
word of command that kept him at a distance.

He was too loyal ever to discuss the matter with Bernard, though he
often wondered how the latter regarded his brother's attitude. At least
there was no strain in their relationship though he was fairly convinced
that Everard had not taken Bernard into his confidence. This fact held a
subtle solace for him, for it meant that Bernard, who was as open as the
day, was content to be in the dark, and satisfied that it held nothing
of an evil nature. This unquestioning faith on Bernard's part was
Tommy's one ray of light. He knew instinctively that Bernard was not a
man to compromise with evil. He carried his banner that all might see.
He was not ashamed to confess his Master before all men, and Tommy
mutely admired him for it.

He marked with pleasure the intimacy that existed between this man and
his sister. Like Stella, though in a different sense, he had grown
imperceptibly to look upon him as a safeguard. He was a sure antidote to
nervous forebodings. The advent of the baby also gave him keen delight.
Tommy was a lover of all things youthful. He declared he had never felt
so much at home in India before.

Peter also was almost as much in the baby's company as was its _ayah_.
The administration of the bottle was Peter's proudest privilege, and he
would walk soft-footed to and fro for any length of time carrying the
infant in his arms. Stella was always content when the baby was in his
charge. Her confidence in Peter's devotion was unbounded. The child was
not very strong and needed great care. The care Peter lavished upon it
was as tender as her own. There was something of a feud between him and
the _ayah_, but no trace of this was ever apparent in her presence. As
for the baby, he seemed to love Peter better than any one else, and was
generally at his best when in his arms.

The Green Bungalow became a favourite meeting-place with the ladies of
the station, somewhat, to Stella's dismay. Lady Harriet swept in at all
hours to hold inspections of the infant's progress and give advice, and
everyone who had ever had a baby seemed to have som