Two large tears rolled over her face, but she managed to say quite
gaily, "December will soon be here."

"In no time at all," said David.

Jean was carrying a little book, which she now laid on the
dressing-table, and, giving it a push in her brother's direction, "It's
a _Daily Light_," she explained.

David did not offer to look at the gift, which was the traditional
Jardine gift to travellers, a custom descending from Great-aunt Alison.
He stood a bit away and said, "All right."

And Jean understood, and said nothing of what was in her heart.




CHAPTER II

"They have their exits and their entrances."
_As You Like It_.


The ten o'clock express from Euston to Scotland was tearing along on its
daily journey. It was that barren hour in the afternoon when luncheon is
over and forgotten, and tea is yet far distant, and most of the
passengers were either asleep or listlessly trying to read light
literature.