"Go on and prosper!" said Charlie with a gay laugh. "You have my
blessing, old chap. Thanks for telling me!"

He moved up to Fisher and thrust out an immense brown paw.

"Take a friend's advice, man!" he said. "Ask her soon!"

Then he bounced out of the room with his usual brisk energy, and shut
the door noisily behind him.


VII

Was it by happy accident or by some kind friend's deliberate provision
that Fisher found himself walking alone with Molly Erle to church on the
following Sunday? Across the frosty park the voices of the other
churchgoers sounded fitfully distinct.

Charlie Cleveland and another boy called Archie Croft, as hare-brained
as himself, were making Mrs. Langdale slide along the slippery drive.
Mrs. Langdale's laughter could be plainly heard. Molly thought her,
privately, rather childish to suffer herself to be thus carried away.

Her companion was sauntering very slowly at her side.

"I think we are late," Molly presently remarked, in a suggestive tone.

"Are we?" said Fisher. "Does it matter?"