"I think not," said Thirlwell. "Very sorry, of course, but there's only
a week of my holiday left and I have some business in South Ontario.
Then I must go back to the bush."

"That's ridiculous, Jim," Mrs. Allott rejoined. "You know you needn't
go back to the bush at all. Besides, we hoped you had decided to come to
England." She paused and touched Evelyn. "Do you hear what he says?
Can't you persuade him to be sensible?"

Evelyn turned and looked at Thirlwell with a careless smile. She was
very composed, but Mrs. Allott thought she noted a trace of heightened
color.

"Oh, no; it would be useless for me to try. Nobody could persuade Jim to
do what he does not want."

"Aren't you taking something for granted?" asked Allott, who sat with
the others, but had been silent. "Jim hasn't admitted that he doesn't
want to come."

The girl gave Thirlwell a tranquil glance in which there was a hint of
mockery.

"He has only a week left, and I imagine knows better than we do what
will please him best," she replied, and turned to her companion.

"What have you to say to that?" Allott asked Thirlwell, with a twinkle.

"It looks as if Evelyn knew my character--I suppose I am obstinate. But