ad. "I'm not clever enough for that. I do typing
for him sometimes, but even then I'm not really much use."

"You are not an expert, perhaps?"

"Oh, I can use the typewriter all right--I've had heaps of practice. But
when it comes to revising things, sort of making up an article out of
rough notes, I'm no good. To begin with I can never understand what the
things are about, and I always get quotations hopelessly mixed."

"I see." In spite of himself Herrick laughed. "You are not a great
reader, then?"

"No--I hate books," she replied frankly. "Somehow it seems a waste of
time to read when you can be doing nicer things. Besides, my husband
doesn't like to see me reading what he calls trash, and I simply can't
get through the things he gives me!"

"Well, after all life's the most interesting book of all--when one's
young," he said indulgently. "But I'm afraid you'll wish you'd developed
a taste for reading when you get like me, middle-aged and dull."

"But you aren't dull----" she was beginning eagerly, when a loud knock
at the back door of the bungalow interrupted her sentence, and she broke
off hastily.

"That'll be my messenger back," said Herrick, rising. "With garments for
you, I suppose. I'll go and see."

He went out, returning presently with a neatly-strapped suit-case which
he held up with a smile.

"Your maids have packed you a change of raiment," he said, "and have,
moreover, sent a car for you to return in. I gather from the boy that
two of your people squabbled as to which of them should have the
privilege of bringing your things to you, but in the middle of the
discussion the chauffeur, thinking, no doubt, that you were still
wearing your wet garments, got impatient and started off without either
of them!"

Toni had risen, and now stood hesitating a little with her hand on the
suit-case.

"You'll like to change at once, I daresay." He spoke in a business-like
tone. "Will you come into my little guest-chamber? There's a glass
there, and you'll be able to dress comfortably."

She assented, and he took her into yet another of the rooms in his tiny
domain, a small, bare little place which had a rather pathetically
unused look about it.

Here she made a rapid toilet, finding everything she required with the
exception of a hat, which had evidently been forgotten. A brush and comb
had been tucked into a corner, however, and she thankfully brushed her
hair and made it into two thick plaits, which fo