t.... I'm a little troubled about my father--" He
checked himself. "I could run down to town for a day or two and
return----"

"Is Colonel Mallett ill?" she asked.

"N-no.... These are rather strenuous times--or threaten to be. Of course
the Half-Moon is as solid as a rock. But even the very, very great are
beginning to fuss.... And my father is not young, Kathleen. So I thought
I'd like to run down and take him out to dinner once or twice--to a
roof-garden or something, you know. It's rather pathetic that men of his
age, grown gray in service, should feel obliged to remain in the
stifling city this summer."

"Of course you must go," she said; "you couldn't even hesitate. Is your
mother worried?"

"I don't suppose she has the slightest notion that there is anything to
worry over. And there isn't, I think. She and Naida will be in the
Berkshires; I'll go up and stay with them later--when Geraldine is all
right again," he added cheerfully.

Scott, fidgeting like a neglected pup, came wandering into the hall,
book in hand.

"For the love of Mike," he said impatiently, "what have you two got to
talk about all night?"

"My son," observed Duane, "there are a few subjects for conversation
which do not include the centipede and the polka-dotted dickey-bird.
These subjects Kathleen and I furtively indulge in when we can arrange
to elude you."

Scott covered a yawn and glanced at Kathleen.

"Is Geraldine all right?" he asked with all the healthy indifference of
a young man who had never been ill, and was, therefore, incapable of
understanding illness in others.

"Certainly, she's all right," said Duane. And to Kathleen: "I believe
I'll venture to knock at her door----"

"Oh, no, Duane. She isn't ready to see anybody----"

"Well, I'll try----"

"Please, don't!"

But he had her at a disadvantage, and he only laughed and mounted the
stairs, saying:

"I'll just exchange a word with her or with her maid, anyway."

When he turned into the corridor Geraldine's maid, seated in the
window-seat sewing, rose and came forward to take his message. In a few
moments she returned, saying:

"Miss Seagrave asks to be excused, as she is ready to retire."

"Ask Miss Seagrave if I can say good-night to her through the door."

The maid disappeared and returned in a moment.

"Miss Seagrave wishes you good-night, sir."

So he thanked the maid pleasantly and walked to his own room, now once
more prepared for him after the dep