ordinary platitudes, was one thing. Peter avoiding them and talking to
them when needs must, with that distant, uninterested look and voice,
was quite another.

The next morning, Peter, after finding what a fifth wheel in a coach all
men are at weddings, finally stood up with his friend. He had not been
asked to stay on for another night, as had most of the bridal party, so
he slipped away as soon as his duty was done, and took a train that put
him into New York that evening. A week later he said good-bye to the
young couple, on the deck of a steamship.

"Don't forget us, Peter," shouted Watts, after the fasts were cast off
and the steamer was slowly moving into mid-stream.

Peter waved his hat, and turning, walked off the pier.

"Could he forget them?" was the question he asked himself.




CHAPTER X

WAITING.


"My friend," said an old and experienced philosopher to a young man, who
with all the fire and impatience of his years wished to conquer the
world quickly, "youth has many things to learn, but one of the most
important is never to let another man beat you at waiting."