on the
fender. Bettina, during the doctor's examination of Justin's hand, had
seated herself in her low chair on the hearth, and now her eyes were
fixed steadily on the flames.

"It's a shivery, shaky sort of day," said Justin, surveying the teapot
longingly, and Anthony laughed. "He wants his tea, Bettina," he said,
"and a place by your fire. It's another of his pussy-cat traits--so if
you'll be good to him, I'll have another cup, and he shall tell us about
his hydro-aeroplane."

Justin, standing in front of the fire, was like a young god fresh from
Olympus. His nose was straight, his mocking eyes a golden-brown, and,
with his cap off, his upstanding shock of hair showed glittering lights.
In deference to the prevailing fashion, his fair little mustache was
slightly upturned at the corners. He had doffed his rain coat, and
appeared in a brown Norfolk suit with leather leggins that reached his
knees.

"I'm afraid I've intruded upon your hospitality," he said to Bettina, as
she handed him a steaming cup, "but I'm always falling into pleasant
things--and I haven't the will power to get out when I should, truly I
haven't. But it isn't my fault--it's just a part of my pussy-cat
inheritance."

"He can afford to say such things," Anthony remarked; "he's really more
like a bird than a pussy cat. You should see him up in the air."

Justin's eyes flashed. "You should see me coming down on the water after
a flight. By Jove, Anthony, that's the most wonderful little machine.
I've called her 'The Gray Gull' because she not only flies but
swims--cuts through the water like a motor boat."

As he talked his eyes were on Bettina. "You beauty, you beauty," was
the thought which thrilled him.

When, at last, he stood up, he apologized somewhat formally. "I've
stayed too long," he said, "but Anthony must make my excuses. I was down
there in Purgatory--and he showed me--Paradise."

The doctor looked at him sharply. He knew Justin as a man of the
world--gay, irresponsible--and Bettina had no one to watch over her.

"I'll take you as far as the shops," he said, crisply, "and then I must
get at once to my old man with the pneumonia."

As the two men rode away in the doctor's small covered car, Justin
asked, "Where did you discover her?" Anthony, his eyes fixed on the
muddy road ahead of them, gave a brief outline: "Professionally. The
mother died in those rooms. The girl is alone, except for Miss Matthews
and the old Lane sisters