stranger nor meet his gaze, but stood with downcast eyes;--then looked
at Brian appealingly.

But Brian was as embarrassed as Betty Jo; while the stranger, as he
regarded them, smiled with an expression of insolent understanding.

"I guess I have made another mistake," he said, with a meaning laugh.

"You have," returned Brian, sharply, stepping forward as he spoke; for
the man's manner was unmistakable. "Be careful, sir, that you do not
make another."

Mr. Green spoke quickly, with an airy wave of his hand: "No offense;
no offense, I assure you." Then as he moved toward the door, he added,
still with thinly veiled insolence: "I beg your pardon for intruding. I
understand, perfectly. Good-afternoon, Mr. Burns! Good-afternoon, miss!"

Brian followed him out to the porch; and the caller, as he went down the
steps, turned back with another understanding laugh: "I say, Burns, you
are a lucky devil. Don't worry about me, old man. I envy you, by Jove!
Charming little nest. Come over to the club some evening. Bring the
little girl along, and help us to have a good time. So-long!"

Mr. Harry Green probably never knew how narrowly he escaped being
manhandled by the enraged but helpless Brian.

Brian remained on the porch until he saw the man, in his boat, leave the
eddy at the foot of the garden and row away up the river.

In the house, again, the two faced each other in dismay.