re tearing it to
rags!"

And she dashed in among the dogs, slapping right and left, while a
facetious dachshund seized the tattered bit of lace and muslin and fled
at top speed.

"That is pleasant," observed Nina; "it's her best hat, too--worn to-day
in your honour, Boots. . . . Children! Hands and faces! There is Bridget
waiting! Come, Phil; there's no law against talking at table, and
there's no use trying to run an establishment if you make a mockery of
the kitchen."

Eileen, one bare arm around her brother's shoulders, strolled houseward
across the lawn, switching the shaven sod with her tennis-bat.

"What are you doing this afternoon?" she said to Selwyn. "Gerald"--she
touched her brother's smooth cheek--"means to fish; Boots and Drina are
keen on it, too; and Nina is driving to Wyossett with the children."

"And you?" he asked, smiling.

"Whatever you wish"--confident that he wanted her, whatever he had on
hand.

"I ought to walk over to Storm Head," he said, "and get things
straightened out."

"Your laboratory?" asked Gerald. "Austin told me when I saw him in town
that you were going to have the cottage on Storm Head to make powder
in."

"Only in minute quantities, Gerald," explained Selwyn; "I just want to
try a few things. . . . And if they turn out all right, what do you say
to taking a look in--if Austin approves?"

"Oh, please, Gerald," whispered his sister.

"Do you really believe there is anything in it?" asked the boy.
"Because, if you are sure--"

"There certainly is if I can prove that my powder is able to resist
heat, cold, and moisture. The Lawn people stand ready to talk matters
over as soon as I am satisfied. . . . There's plenty of time--but keep
the suggestion in the back of your head, Gerald."

The boy smiled, nodded importantly, and went off to remove the stains of
tennis from his person; and Eileen went, too, turning around to look
back at Selwyn:

"Thank you for asking Gerald! I'm sure he will love to go into anything
you think safe."

"Will you join us, too?" he called back, smilingly--"we may need
capital!"

"I'll remember that!" she said; and, turning once more as she reached
the landing: "Good-bye--until luncheon!" And touched her lips with the
tips of her fingers, flinging him a gay salute.

In parting and meeting--even after the briefest of intervals--it was
always the same with her; always she had for him some informal hint of
the formality of parting; always so