"It's still distinctly understood that I am not engaged to
him, and I'm not going to be surprised into kissing him when he comes
down like a wolf on the fold." Now: "Jeff Saxton! Here! Makes me
homesick for the Heights. And nice shops in Manhattan, and a really good
play--music just before the curtain goes up." Now: "Ohhhhhh geeeeee
whizzzzzz! I wonder if he'll let us go any farther in the car? He's so
managerial, and dad is sure to take his side. He tried to scare us off
by that telegram to Fargo." Now: "He'd be horrified if he knew about
that bum brake. Milt didn't mind. Milt likes his womenfolks to be
daring. Jeff wants his harem admiring and very reliable."

She crouched on the shore, a rather forlorn figure. The peaks of the
Mission Range, across the violet-shadowed mirror of Flathead Lake, were
a sudden pure rose, in reflection of sunset, then stony, forbidding.
Across the road, on the Barmberry porch, she could hear her father
saying "Ah?" and "Indeed?" to James's stories.

Up the road, a blaring horn, great lights growing momently more
dazzling, a roar, a rush, the halting car, and out of its blurred bulk,
a trim figure darting--Jeff Saxton--home and the people she loved, and
the ways and days she knew best of all. He had shouted only "Is
Miss----" before she had rushed to him, into the comfort of his arms,
and kissed him.

She backed off and tried to sound as if it hadn't happened, but she was
quavery: "I can't believe it! It's too ridiculously wonderful to see
you!" She retreated toward the Barmberry porch, Jeff following, his two
hands out. They came within the range of the house lights, and Mr.
Boltwood hailed, "Ah! Geoffrey! Never had such a surprise--nor a more
delightful one!"

"Mr. Boltwood! Looking splendid, sir! New man! William Street better
look to its laurels when you come back and get into the game!"

Then, on the lamp-lighted porch, the two men shook hands, and looked for
some other cordial thing to do. They thought about giving each other
cigars. They smiled, and backed away, and smiled, in the foolish,
indeterminate way males have, being unable to take it out in kissing.
Mr. Boltwood solved the situation by hemming, "Must trot in and wash.
See you very soon." Mr. James Barmberry and the squad of lesser
Barmberrys regretfully followed. Claire was alone with Jeff, and she was
frightened. Yet she was admitting that Jeff, in his English cap and
flaring London top-coat, his keen smile and his ex