"Of course you know by this time that your mother's very sharp," said Fleda. "But why on earth?" Mrs. Gereth's sad eyes were fixed on her.!

"Why, rather, Miss Vetch!" Owen declared. "I've done every blessed thing she wished. I rushed down to Ricks, as you saw, with fire and sword, and the day after that I went to see her at Waterbath." At this point he checked himself, though it was just the point at which her interest deepened. A different look had come into his face as he put down his empty teacup. "But why should I tell you such things, for any good it does me? I gather that you've no suggestion to make me now except that I shall request my solicitor to act. Shall I request him to act?" Sadly and submissively Fleda shook her head; the slow tears had come into her eyes. "I can't. I don't understand—I don't understand!" she broke out.

"I know what Mrs. Brigstock herself told me." "Quite proper," said Mrs. Gereth austerely. Then to Fleda: "Please go to him." Fleda remembered that she had seen them only once. "Did you see them?" she then ventured to ask.