he were a saint--Old Nick, more likely!--He has been
endowed with every virtue when he has none, simply because he put the
Squawk to rights." Tommy had seen Joyce that afternoon and went on to
describe his visit. "She was looking topping, so was the kid; which
makes it all the more mysterious, her not turning up. But, my word, she
is pretty! One might be excused for any indiscretion when she makes eyes
at one!"

However, to his disappointment, Honor showed no symptoms of jealousy.
"I'll wager she neglected you for her baby!" She said. "Mrs. Meredith
has no interest in young men."

"She had plenty in me. We grew quite intimate--talked of the weather and
_anopheles_ mosquitoes, and improved the occasion by rubbing _eau de
Cologne_ on the bites."

"How very thrilling! and she forgot all about you the moment you had
left!"

"Everyone forgets all about Tommy the moment he has left," put in Jack,
thinking it about time to remind them of his presence.

He was a handsome young athlete of twenty-five, with the reputation of
having played in the Rugby International. He owned a complexion
inconveniently given to blushing. He and Tommy chummed together in a
three-roomed bungalow near the Police Court and were generally known as
inseparables. Both played polo and tennis with skill and kept the
Station entertained by their high spirits and resourcefulness.

Honor's attention was diverted by an animated discussion among her
elders respecting the duties of a wife and mother in the East.

"A mother is perfectly justified in taking her child home if it cannot
stand the climate," Mrs. Fox was saying.

"I suppose the question to be decided is, whom a woman cares most for,
child or husband--whether she will live away from her husband for the
sake of the child, or from the child for the sake of the husband,
presuming that the climate is not suitable to children," said a guest.

A strident voice was heard to remark that women had no business to marry
men whose careers were in the East, if they meant to live away from them
most of the time. "It's a tragedy for which doctors are mainly
responsible," with a sniff and a challenging glance at Captain Dalton.

"Oh, you doctors!" laughed Mrs. Bright, shaking her finger at him. "See
what mischief you are accountable for!--ruined lives, broken homes!"

"In many cases, it is a charity to part husbands and wives," said the
doctor grimly.

"Hear, hear!" from Mrs. Fox, at which Mrs. Ironsid