in the window-seat!"

But when the other gentlemen repaired to the drawing-room for the good
round game, Peter stayed behind, with Hilary. He didn't want to talk or
be talked to, only to stay where he was and not to have to sit in the
window-seat.

"The insufferable vulgarity of this class of person on this subject is
really the limit," Hilary remarked plaintively, as if it had jarred him
beyond endurance.

"They're awfully kind, aren't they," said Peter, who looked tired. Then
he laughed to himself. Hilary looked at him enquiringly.

"I suppose you know your own business, Peter. But I must confess I am
surprised. I had literally no idea you had such a step in mind."

"I hadn't any idea either," Peter admitted frankly. "I thought of it
quite suddenly. But I think it is a good plan, you know. Of course," he
added, wording what he read in Hilary's face, "I know my life will cost
me more. But I think it is worth while."

"It's quite entirely your own business," Hilary said again, throwing
responsibility from him with a gesture of the hands. Then he leant back
and shut his eyes.

Peter looked at him as he lay in the arm-chair and smoked; his eyes
rested on the jaded, still beautiful face, the dark lock of hair falling
a little over the tired forehead, the brown velvet smoking coat and large
red silk tie. He knew that he had hurt and puzzled Hilary. And he knew
that Hilary wouldn't understand if he were to explain what he couldn't
ever explain. At the most he would say, "It is Peter all over," and
shrug his shoulders at Peter and Peter's vagaries.

A great desire to smooth Hilary's difficult road, as far as might be,
caught and held Peter. Poor old Hilary! He was so frightfully tired of
life and its struggles; tired of being a Have-Not.

To help the other Have-Nots, to put pleasant things into their hands as
far as might be, seemed to Peter at this moment the thing for which one
existed. It is obviously the business of the Have-Nots to do that for one
another; for the Haves do not know or understand. It is the Have-Nots who
must give and give and give, with emptying hands; for from him that hath
not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Peter went upstairs to the drawing-room to play animal grab.

CHAPTER XIV

PETER, RHODA, AND LUCY

When Mr. Vyvian called at 51 Brook Street one evening and was informed
by the assembled company that Miss Johnson had got engaged to Mr. Peter
Margerison, he sne