as well not to spread the matter much among the
men--they might kick; besides he isn't, of course, a union man."

"There's one thing in his favor," it was Emlie who spoke, "the
management and the men have changed since it occurred, and there are
very few except our home folks that would be apt to mention it--and they
can be trusted where Champney Googe is concerned."

The four went out together.

The grill room of The Greenbush was empty save for Augustus Buzzby who
sat smoking before the dying fire. Old visions were before his eyes--one
of the office on a June night many years ago; the five friends
discussing Champney Googe's prospects; the arrival of Father Honore and
little Aileen Armagh--so Luigi had at last given up hope in that
direction for good and all.

The town clock struck twelve. He sighed heavily; it was for the old
times, the old days, the old life.

VIII

It was several months before Aileen saw him. Her close attendance on
Mrs. Champney and her avoidance of the precincts of The Gore--Maggie
complained loudly to Mrs. Googe that Aileen no longer ran in as she used
to do, and Mrs. Caukins confided to her that she thought Aileen might
feel sensitive about Luigi's engagement, for she had been there but
twice in five months--precluded the possibility of her meeting him. She
excused herself to Mrs. Googe and the Sisters on the ground of her
numerous duties at Champ-au-Haut; Ann and Hannah were both well on in
years and Mrs. Champney was failing daily.

It was perhaps five months after his return that she was sitting one
afternoon in Mrs. Champney's room, in attendance on her while the
regular nurse was out for two hours. There had been no conversation
between them for nearly the full time, when Mrs. Champney spoke abruptly
from the bed:

"I heard last month that Champney Googe is back again--has been back for
five months; why didn't you tell me before?"

The voice was very weak, but querulous and sharp. Aileen was sewing at
the window. She did not look up.

"Because I didn't suppose you liked him well enough to care about his
coming home; besides, it was Octavius' place to tell you."

"Well, I don't care about his coming, or his going either, for that
matter, but I do care about knowing things that happen under my very
nose within a reasonable time of their happening. I'm not in my dotage
yet, I'll have you to understand."

Aileen was silent.

"Come, say something, can't you?" she snapped.