ught Dunham, amused. "Is Arcady getting on the legal
nerves?" "We're a house party," he explained firmly. "We've come over
here for some clothes. We shall be obliged to start back in about an
hour because we have to take you with us, and we don't want to keep you
out too late."

"Hey?" asked the judge.

"Yes," said Sylvia. "Edna asked us to bring either you or Thinkright
back with us."

"Now that's very untactful of you, Miss Sylvia," objected John.
"Supposing she did say either of them. Don't you know, first come,
first served, and moreover that Judge Trent is company?"

"Yes, I've no idea that Thinkright would leave the farm over night at
this busy time, anyway," replied Sylvia. "Where is he? I must see him
before I decide. I'm really not sure about going back. Perhaps, Uncle
Calvin, it will be best for you and Mr. Dunham to go without me."

The lawyer's steely gaze was sunk in the soft blue depths of hers. In
this mood she reminded him of his last parting with Laura. No woman
since that day had clung to his arm.

He grunted a dissent. "John and I see enough of each other as it is,"
he returned.

"The idea of any one seeing enough of John!" was the thought that
flashed through Sylvia's mind. What she said was, "Would you really
rather I went too, Uncle Calvin?"

The sharp eyes under the visor saw the expression in Dunham's face at
the caressing tone.

"Oh, suit yourself, of course," he replied briefly, "suit yourself;"
but he carefully made no motion of his rigid arm which should
discourage Sylvia from leaning upon it, and the three moved off toward
the house.

Minty Foster suddenly appeared, dragging herself shyly between the
trees. "I seen yer comin' past the mill," she said. Her usually stolid
face was so eloquent of satisfaction at meeting Sylvia again that the
girl dropped her uncle's arm, and, stooping, kissed the red cheek.

"Don't you want to go and see if Benny won't give you a sail while he's
waiting for us, Minty?" she suggested.

"Y' ain't goin' back, are yer?" protested the child, round-eyed.

"I'm not quite sure," replied Sylvia. Each new, trifling incident
reassured her, and went to lighten her heart. Here was home and
welcome, whatever had been her mistakes abroad.

Minty ran on to the waterside, and the three resumed their walk. The
chime of little joy-bells and the silvery flourish of melody continued
to come from woodland depths.

"What a pity we haven't time to find that darling