person who showed less anxiety. Yet as a matter of fact, there is
something preying on my mind. Something entirely aside from anything you
could imagine."

"You don't tell me!" said Geoffrey, who did not know whether to be most
amused or infuriated by his companion's conversation.

"I am about to tell you," said McVay graciously, "I am very seriously
worried about my sister. In fact I don't see that there is any getting
away from it; you will have to let me go out for an hour or so and get
her."

"Let you do _what_?"

"Get my sister. She's living in a little hut in your woods, and I am
actually afraid she will be snowed up."

"It seems highly probable."

"Well, then, I must go and get her."

Geoffrey stared at him a moment, and then said: "You must be crazy."

"Maybe I am," answered McVay, as if the suggestion were not without an
amusing side. "Maybe I am, but that is not the point. Think of a girl,
Holland, alone, all night, in such a storm. Now, I put it to you: it is
not a position in which you would leave your sister, is it?"

Geoffrey began a sentence and finding it inadequate, contented himself
with a laugh.