spared me because I was his son, and he wouldn't give me the place
until I'd earned it, but I'll get it pretty soon now. I wish you
knew my father, Miss Dandridge. There isn't any sort of search-light
he can't stand, and it isn't his and mother's fault if I can't stand
them, also."

"I don't think they'd be uneasy if any were to be turned on. I
wouldn't. Good night, Tom. Be careful how you meet Madeleine. How
many times have you seen her since she got here?"

"Just once before this afternoon." His face flushed. "Something is
the matter. She's not like herself. Her mother's up to something."

"When you want to see her, come down here and see me. Don't meet on
corners or in the park, and--and the next time you're engaged don't
let a girl think you're going to wait indefinitely. If she isn't
willing to marry you and go to Pungo if necessary, she isn't the girl
for you to marry. Good night."

At the door I turned. Tom was still standing at the foot of the
steps, staring at me, in his face slow-dawning understanding.




CHAPTER XX

As Selwyn and David Guard shook hands, eagerness of desire must have
been in my face, for Selwyn, turning, seemed puzzled by what he saw.
Going into the room adjoining my sitting-room, I left them alone for