, through
which she had permitted herself to peep. As the postern gate closed on
the erect figure of the Boy, she dropped the blind and turned away, an
unwonted tear running down the furrows of her hard old face.

"Lord love 'im!" she said. "He'll get what he wants in time. There's
not a woman walks this earth as couldn't never refuse _'im_ nothing."

With which startling array of negatives, old Martha compiled one
supreme positive in favour of the Boy, leaving altogether out of
account--alas!--the Professor.

Then she wiped her eyes with her apron, and chid her nose harshly for
an unexpected display of sentiment.

* * * * *

And the Boy tramped back to his hotel with his soul full of glory,
knowing his first march round had been to some purpose. The walls of
the beloved Citadel had trembled indeed.

* * * * *

"_And the evening and the morning were the first day._"

* * * * *

THE SECOND DAY

MISS CHARTERIS TAKES CONTROL

The Boy arrived in flannels, his racket under his arm. He came in, as
usual, through the little green gate in the red-brick fruit-wall at the
bottom of the garden. From the first, he had taken this privilege,
which as a matter of fact had never been accorded to anybody.

The Professor always entered by the front door, placed his umbrella in
the stand, wet or shine; left his goloshes on the mat: hung up his cap
and gown, and followed Jenkins into the drawing-room. Though he had
called regularly, twice a week, during the last dozen years--first on
his old friend and tutor, Professor Charteris; after his death, on his
widow and daughter; and, when Miss Charteris was left alone, on herself
only--he never failed to knock and ring; nor did he ever enter
unannounced.

The Boy had dashed in at the garden gate on the occasion of his second
visit, and appeared to consider that he had thus created a precedent
which should always be followed.

Once, and once only--on her thirtieth birthday--the Professor had
brought Miss Charteris a bouquet; but, being very absent-minded, he
deposited the bouquet on the mat, and advanced into the drawing-room
carrying his goloshes in his left hand. Having shaken hands with his
right, he vaguely presented the goloshes. Miss Charteris, never at a
loss where her friends were concerned, took the Professor's goloshes
from his hand, carried them out into the hall, found the bo