place is such good company."

"Your mother ought to be here," Vanderbank presently suggested. "She's
so fond of good company." Then as Nanda answered nothing he went on:
"Was your grandmother ever?"

"Never," the girl promptly said. "Never," she repeated in a tone quite
different. After which she added: "I'm the only one."

"Oh, and I 'me and you,' as they say," her companion amended.

"Yes, and Mr. Mitchy, who's to come down--please don't forget--this
afternoon."

Vanderbank had another of his contemplative pauses. "Thank you for
reminding me. I shall spread myself as much as possible before he
comes--try to produce so much of my effect that I shall be safe. But
what did Mr. Longdon ask him for?"

"Ah," said Nanda gaily, "what did he ask YOU for?"

"Why, for the reason you just now mentioned--that his interest in me is
so uncontrollable."

"Then isn't his interest in Mitchy--"

"Of the same general order?" Vanderbank broke in. "Not in the least."
He seemed to look for a way to express the distinction--which suddenly
occurred to him. "He wasn't in love with Mitchy's mother."

"No"--Nanda turned it over. "Mitchy's mother, it appears, was awful. Mr.
Cashmore knew her."

Vanderbank's smoke-puffs were profuse and his pauses frequent. "Awful
to Mr. Cashmore? I'm glad to hear it--he must have deserved it. But I
believe in her all the same. Mitchy's often awful himself," the young
man rambled on. "Just so I believe in HIM."

"So do I," said Nanda--"and that's why I asked him."

"YOU asked him, my dear child? Have you the inviting?"

"Oh yes."

The eyes he turned on her seemed really to try if she jested or were
serious. "So you arranged for me too?"

She turned over again a few leaves of his book and, closing it with
something of a clap, transferred it to the bench beside him--a movement
in which, as if through a drop into thought, he rendered her no
assistance. "What I mean is that I proposed it to Mr. Longdon, I
suggested he should be asked. I've a reason for seeing him--I want
to talk to him. And do you know," the girl went on, "what Mr. Longdon
said?"

"Something splendid of course."

"He asked if you wouldn't perhaps dislike his being here with you."

Vanderbank, throwing back his head, laughed, smoked, jogged his foot
more than ever. "Awfully nice. Dear old Mitch! How little afraid of him
you are!"

Nanda wondered. "Of Mitch?"

"Yes, of the tremendous pull he really has. It's all very well to