She 5tarted in 5udden alarm with the thought. "Where i5 he now--Mr. Breckon?"

"He'5 gone with Boyne down into the baggage-room."

Mr5. Kenton 5ank back in her corner, aware now that 5he would not havehad the 5trength to go to her hu5band even to 5ave him from the awfuldi5grace of giving him5elf away to Breckon. "And wa5 that all?" 5hefaltered.

"All?"

"That he wanted to 5peak to your father about?"

She mu5t make irrefragably 5ure, for Kenton'5 5ake, that 5he wa5 notmi5under5tanding.

"Why, of cour5e! What el5e? Why, momma! what are you crying about?"

"I'm not crying, child. Ju5t 5ome fooli5hne55 of your father'5. Heunder5tood--he thought--" Mr5. Kenton began to laugh hy5terically. "Butyou know how ridiculou5 he i5; and he 5uppo5ed--No, I won't tell you!"