ess ideals; but he gave Edith the
credit for having proved it to him.

He went to extremes in this swing of the pendulum as in all others, but
the net result was a smoothing down of many of the rough corners, and a
tempering of the aggressive individualism which had often offended.
Cosden sized himself up correctly when he remarked to Edith, "I never
expect to be the finished product Monty is, but I'm going to quit
advertising the fact."

Edith could but admire the persistency with which he worked upon his
disagreeable problem. Her curiosity to see "how deep it went" developed
during the course of several other experiences together, into a complete
willingness to forget past delinquencies, and a real desire to encourage
him in the pursuit of his new course. It interested her to see that the
same forcefulness which had made itself disagreeable before was the very
agent which had accomplished the change she admired; that it was this
same dogged determination which maintained the present poise and gave
him the new dignity.

Marian was delighted by the way her guests grouped themselves, and
everything seemed to play wonderfully into her hands. Edith appropriated
Cosden and appointed herself his hostess; brother Ricky enjoyed himself
hugely motoring around the country in one of the Thatcher automobiles,
and did not ask to be considered except at meals; Philip kept his boy
friends engaged in an absorbing series of outdoor activities which
prevented Billy from interfering with her plans for Merry; Mr. Thatcher
was so engrossed with business matters that he became almost a
negligible quantity, which his guests understood and overlooked;
Huntington so far, Marian rejoiced to admit, had carried himself
admirably, dividing his time between Merry, Hamlen and herself in such a
way as to be really helpful instead of a menace to her plans. Never had
she entertained a group of friends so accommodating, and she was more
deeply appreciative at this time than she cared to state.

Edith and Cosden strolled down a leaf-covered walk, flanked by antique
statuettes, to an attractive pavilion at the end of the vista. Here they
seated themselves after a leisurely walk about the estate. Edith knew
she was taking chances, but as she felt quite capable of defending her
position she saw no reason why she should not enjoy Cosden's continued
devotion.

"I've ordered tea served here," she announced. "We seem to be a little
early."

"I'm in no h