The beefsteak was already in the dish, and Mrs. Peck was in the act of
pouring the gravy over it when there sounded a light step on the stone
of the passage and Columbine entered.

She had removed her sun-bonnet and donned a dainty little apron. The
soft dark hair clustered tenderly about her temples.

"Oh, Aunt Liza," she said, "if I didn't go and forget that Sally was out
tonight! I'm sorry I'm too late to help with the dinner. But I'll take
it in."

She caught her breath at sight of the massive, silent figure seated
against the wall, but instantly recovered her composure and passed it by
with an upward tilt of the chin.

"You needn't trouble yourself to do that, my dear," rejoined Mrs. Peck,
with a touch of tartness. "I'll wait on Mr. Knight myself. You can lay
the supper in the parlour if you've a mind to be useful. There'll be
four to lay for."

Columbine turned with something of a pounce. "No, there won't! There'll
be three," she said. "If that--oaf--stays to supper, I go without!"

"Good gracious!" ejaculated Mrs. Peck.

Rufus came out of his silence. "That's all right. I'm not staying to
supper," he said.

"But--lor' sakes!--what's the matter?" questioned Mrs. Peck. "Have you
two been quarrelling?"