set the whole district humming, didn't he?" said Adela. "They say all
the women fell in love with him at sight. I wish I'd seen him."

Jack broke into a laugh. "You'd certainly have fallen a victim!"

She tossed her head. "I'm sure I shouldn't. I prefer respectable men.
Shall we lay an extra plate in case Mr. Hill turns up?"

"No," said Jack. "Let him come unexpectedly!"

She gave him a shrewd look. "You think Dot will like that best?"

He nodded again. "Be careful! She's coming. Here's Robin!"

Robin came in, wagging his tail and smiling, and behind him came Dot. She
moved slowly, as if dispirited. Jack's quick eyes instantly detected the
fact that she had been shedding tears.

"You're too late, little 'un," he said, with kindly cheeriness. "The work
is all done."

She looked from him to Adela. "I'm sorry I'm late," she said. "I'm afraid
I forgot about supper."

"Oh, you're in love!" joked Adela. "You'll forget to come in at all one
of these days."

The girl gave her a swift look, but said nothing, passing through with
a weary step on her way to her own room.

Robin followed her closely, as one in her confidence; and Jack laid a
quiet hand on his wife's arm.

"Don't laugh at her!" he said.

She stared at him. "Good gracious, Jack! What's the matter? I didn't mean
anything."

"I know you didn't. But this thing is serious. If Fletcher Hill comes
to-night, I believe she'll have him--that is, if she's let alone. But she
won't if you twit her with it. It's touch and go."

Jack spoke with great earnestness. It was evident that the matter was one
upon which he felt very strongly, and Adela shrugged a tolerant shoulder
and yielded to his persuasion.

"I'll be as solemn as a judge," she promised. "The affair certainly has
hung fire considerably. It would be a good thing to get it settled. But
Fletcher Hill! Well, he wouldn't be my choice!"

"He's a fine man," asserted Jack.

"Oh, I've no doubt. But he's an animal with a nasty bite, or I am much
mistaken. However, let Dot marry him by all means if she feels that way!
It's certainly high time she married somebody."

She turned aside to put the teapot on the hob, humming inconsequently,
and the subject dropped.

Jack went to his room to wash, and in a few minutes more they gathered
round the supper-table with careless talk of the doings of the day.

It had always been Dot's favourite time, the supper-hour. In the old days
before Jack's marriage she had l