think about him." He laughed. "Oh, I dare say the surroundings help
too--we're all rather children--old Saffron, and the Devil, and Captain
Duggle, and the rest of it! The brain isn't overworked down here; we
like to find an outlet."

"That means you think there's nothing in it really?"

"In what?" retorted old Naylor briskly.

But Mary was equal to him. "My lips are sealed professionally," she
smiled. "But hasn't your son said anything?"

"Admirable woman! Yes, Alec has said a few things; and the young lady
gives it us, too. For my part, I think Beaumaroy's just drifting. He'll
take the gifts of fortune if they come, but I don't think there's much
deliberate design about it. Ah, now you're smiling in a superior way,
Doctor Mary! I charge you with secret knowledge. Or are you puffed up by
having superseded Irechester?"

"I was never so distressed and--well, embarrassed at anything in my
life."

"Well, that, if you ask me, does look a bit queer. Sort of fits in with
Alec's theory."

Mary's discretion gave way a little. "Or with Mr. Beaumaroy's? Which is
that I'm a fool, I think."

"And that Irechester isn't?" His eyes twinkled in good-humored malice.
"Talking of what this and that person thinks of himself and of others,