with what it permits, and committed an unpardonable sin.

It happened towards the end of his visit--another airless day of
that mild January. Mr. Dawes was playing against a scratch team
of cads, and had to go down to the ground in the morning to
settle something. Rickie proposed to come too.

Hitherto he had been no nuisance. "You will be frightfully
bored," said Agnes, observing the cloud on her lover's face. "And
Gerald walks like a maniac."

"I had a little thought of the Museum this morning," said Mr.
Pembroke. "It is very strong in flint arrow-heads."

"Ah, that's your line, Rickie. I do envy you and Herbert the way
you enjoy the past."

"I almost think I'll go with Dawes, if he'll have me. I can walk
quite fast just to the ground and back. Arrowheads are wonderful,
but I don't really enjoy them yet, though I hope I shall in
time."

Mr. Pembroke was offended, but Rickie held firm.

In a quarter of an hour he was back at the house alone, nearly
crying.

"Oh, did the wretch go too fast?" called Miss Pembroke from her
bedroom window.