it behind the times. I have a good mind to go and see some
man in town one day next week. It's such a confounded handicap for a
writer not to be able to hold a pen."

"What about your proofs?" Her heart sank as she asked the question.

"Oh, Miss Loder can do those--under my supervision," he said carelessly.
"I'm not bothering about them so much as about my new book; and I've
been commissioned to write a series of articles for the _Lamp_, which
really ought to be put in hand at once."

For a moment there was silence. Then:

"Could I do your proofs?" Toni said, in a voice which shook in spite of
all her efforts.

"Oh, it's awfully sweet of you, dear." Owen tried his hardest to avoid
hurting her. "But there is no occasion to worry you. I don't like to see
you bending over a desk when there is no need. Miss Loder has to do
something, anyway, and she might just as well do my work as anyone's."

"Must she come down to Greenriver?" Now Toni's voice betrayed her, and
Owen looked up sharply.

"Why not? Do you mean you would rather she did not come?"

"Much rather." For once Toni's inward feelings burst their bounds,
driving her to open revolt. "I don't like Miss Loder about all day--I
never feel free--there's an oppression in the air so long as she is in
the house."

Owen was surprised and annoyed by this speech; and showed his annoyance
plainly.

"Don't you think you are rather prejudiced, Toni? You have never liked
the girl, and I can't imagine why. She does her work well, and doesn't
interfere with you in the least."

"Interfere with me--no, perhaps not," said Toni, her breast heaving
stormily, her cheeks very red. "She laughs at me, though, which is
worse--sneers--oh, I know she thinks I'm a little fool, and so I am; but
I am at least your wife--the mistress of Greenriver, and she might
remember that and treat me with a little more respect."

"Respect? My dear Toni, you are talking nonsense. How should the girl
treat you? She is always polite," said Owen, "and you know after all she
is ten years older than you----"

"Only ten?" Toni's assumption of surprise was excellently done. "I
thought she was much more--she always seems to me so staid--so--so
middle-aged."

Owen's brow cleared suddenly and he burst out laughing.

"You silly little thing! Compared with you, Miss Loder _is_ middle-aged,
but she's a rattling secretary and I don't like to hear her abused.
Still, if you dislike the idea of her coming, I'll