"Keep it all the same. I won't have any pinching."

"There's nothing of the kind. If I don't have my way in this I shall
go back to London."

He put the envelope in his pocket, and stood silent, with eyes fixed
on the river bank.

"How long do you intend us to stay?" asked Eve.

"As long as you find pleasure here."

"And--what am I to do afterwards?"

He glanced at her.

"A holiday must come to an end," she added, trying, but without
success, to meet his look.

"I haven't given any thought to that," said Hilliard, carelessly;
"there's plenty of time. It will be fine weather for many weeks
yet."

"But I have been thinking about it. I should be crazy if I didn't."

"Tell me your thoughts, then."

"Should you be satisfied if I got a place at Birmingham?"