62 RED PEPPER BURNS

shopping district they had lately left. With silent passengers the Imp threaded its Way to the toy shop. In front of it Burns stopped the car. He got out and Went in and came out, the big rocking-horse in the arms of the salesman who followed him.

He looked up at their faces. Bob’s Was one wide-eyed countenance of incredulous joy. The other’s —— if he had seen there satisfaction at hav- ing brought a man to terms he felt he should have despised her; but that Was not what he saw.

There Was, by planning carefully, just room to Wedge the rocking-horse in at Mrs. Lessing’s feet without encroaching on the steering-gear. As they drove off, Bob was bending over and gen- tly stroking the animal’s splendid black mane, with little chuckles and gurgles of joy. Once more Burns looked at Ellen Lessing behind Bob’s back.

“You’re happy now, aren’t you?” he asked in a tone of assurance. “Then, confound it, I must own I’m paid for letting my wise bachelor notions go hang, just for this time!”

“ Thank you,” she answered very gently. “And I’m paid for trying to be reasonable.”

He laughed, suddenly content. Between them