call heem 'Don Mike' now. Before, yes; but now he is 'Don Miguel,'
like hees father. Same, too, like hees gran'father."

Throughout this colloquy, Carolina had been busy exculpating herself
from possible blame due to her failure to have prepared for the
prodigal the sort of food she knew he preferred.

Farrel had quite a task pacifying her. At length he succeeded in
gently dismissing both servants, and followed Kay toward the patio.

The girl entered first, and discovered that her family and their guest
were not on the veranda, whereat she turned and gave her hand to Farrel.

"The butler will bring you some dinner to your room. We breakfast at
eight-thirty. Good-night."

"Thank you," he replied. "I shall be deeper in your debt if you will
explain to your father and mother my apparent lack of courtesy in
failing to call upon them this evening."

He held her hand for a moment. Then he bowed, gracefully and with
studied courtesy, cap in hand, and waited until she had turned to leave
him before he, in turn, betook himself to his room.




IX

It was as he had left it. He smiled sadly as he noted his civilian