had to reply untruly, according to the plan made between herself
and Robin. But to her great surprise and relief he said nothing
that conveyed the least hint of the wish he had so long cherished.
He was irritable and drowsy,--now and again his head fell a little
forward on his chest and his eyes closed as though in utter
weariness. Seeing this, the practical Priscilla made haste to get
the supper finished and cleared away.

"You be off to bed, Mister Jocelyn," she said,--"The sooner the
better, for you look as tired as a lame dog that 'as limped 'ome
twenty miles. You ain't fit to be racketing about markets an'
drivin' bargains."

"Who says I'm not?" he interrupted, sitting bolt upright and
glaring fiercely at her--"I tell you I am! I can do business as
well as any man--and drive a bargain-ah! I should think so
indeed!--a hard-and-fast bargain!--not easy to get out of, I can
tell you!--not easy to get out of! And it has cost me a pretty
penny, too!"

Robin Clifford glanced at him enquiringly.

"How's that?" he asked--"You generally make rather than spend!"

Jocelyn gave a sudden loud laugh.

"So I do, boy, so I do! But sometimes one has to spend to make!
I've done both to-day--I've made and I've spent. And what I've
spent is better than keeping it--and what I've made--ay!--what
I've made--well!--it's a bargain, and no one can say it isn't a