Mr. Farrer stroked her hand. "The only thing I'm afraid of is your
father," he said, softly.

"Oh!" said the girl, clasping her hands together. "You have guessed
it."

"Guessed it?" said Mr. Farrer.

Miss Ward nodded. "I happened to pass his door this morning," she said,
in a low voice. "It was open a little way, and he was standing up and
measuring one of mother's nightgowns against his chest. I couldn't
think what he was doing it for at first."

Mr. Farrer whistled and his face hardened.

"That's not fair play," he said at last. "All right; I'll be ready for
him."

"He doesn't like to be put in the wrong," said Miss Ward. "He wants to
prove that you haven't got any courage. He'd be disappointed if he
found you had."

"All right," said Mr. Farrer again. "You're an angel for coming to tell
me."

"Father would call me something else, I expect," said Miss Ward, with a
smile. "Good-bye. I want to get back before he wakes up."

She was back in her chair, listening to her father's slumbers, half an
hour before he awoke.