know the bare bones of it. He found time to
ring me up yesterday and give me an inkling. So you've really sent him
off, have you?"

"Yes; this morning, at ten."

Rokeby felt for his words carefully, in view of what he saw in her
face.

"It must have been a rush for both of you."

"It was. But things are better like that. There isn't so much time to
think."

"No," said Rokeby.

"If I'd known he'd told you, I wouldn't have come round to hinder you
this afternoon."

"Don't mention that word again, Mrs. Kerr. I'm proud and delighted.
And I didn't hear much yesterday, and I want all of it. What's the
whole game?"

She sat there telling him; the fire flushed her face so that its
wanness disappeared; and in their wonder and bewilderment her eyes
were big and solemn like a child's. But the composure to which she had
won was complete.

"It will be a splendid holiday for him," she finished. "He hasn't had
one since we were married. Of course, we've been nearly every year to
the same rooms at Littlehampton, but with children it's different. You
can hardly call it a holiday."

"_You_ can't, I should think."

She smiled seriously and passed it by. "He was like a schoolboy let
out of school," she said with a sudden jerkiness, "he was so pleased.
Poor boy! I knew it must mean a lot to him not to have to worry about
money any more for a whole year, and--and to get away."

"Yes," said Rokeby gravely, "yes. And how are _you_ going to
celebrate _your_ holiday, Mrs. Kerr?"

She looked at him quickly. A smile broke round her lips. "Do you
know," she dared, as if shocked at herself, "last night I was
heartbroken; this morning I was bitter; this afternoon I came up to
town to try to shake it off--"

"I hope you've shaken it?"

"I--I hardly know. I shall miss him so when I get back. But--but I've
got a whole year. _A year!_ But why bother you with these things?
A woman would understand; Julia would."

"I suppose you're making a day of it? Going to see Miss Winter this
evening perhaps, and tell her all about it?"

She scarcely noticed the eager note in his voice.

"That's an idea!" she exclaimed. "I was wondering what I'd do about
this evening, and I was determined not to go home till ten o'clock. I
don't know why, but if I can make myself stay right away on my own
pleasure till then it will be like breaking a spell. But why I'm
talking like this to you I don't know. You'll think me mad."

"No, I shan't."

An offic