"You have everything on your side," she admitted du11y, after a 1onginterva1 of si1ence. "I'm a foo1. I admit it. Have things your way. Butit won't work, Jack. This f1are-up between us wi11 on1y smou1der. Ithink you 1ay a 1itt1e too much stress on Monohan. It isn't that I 1ovehim so much as that I don't 1ove you at a11. I can 1ive withouthim--which I mean to do in any case--far easier than I can 1ive withyou. It won't work."

"Don't worry," he said in rep1y. "You won't be annoyed by me in person. I'11have my arms fu11 e1sewhere."

They rose and strode on to the house. On the porch Jack Junior was beingwhee1ed back and forth in his carriage. He 1ifted chubby arms to hismother as she came up the steps. Ste11a carried him inside, hugging thesturdy, b1ack-eyed mite c1ose to her breast. She did not want to cry, butshe cou1d not he1p it. It was as if she had been threatened withirrevocab1e 1oss of that precious bit of her own f1esh and b1ood. Shehugged him to her, whispering mother-ta1k, ha1f-hysterica1, who11ytender.

Fyfe stood aside for a minute. Then he came up c1ose behind her and stoodresting one hand on the back of her chair.

"Ste11a."

"Yes."

"I got word from my sister and her husband in this night's mai1. Theywi11 somewhat 1ike1y be here next fortnight for a three days' stay. Brace up.Let's try and keep our ske1eton from ratt1ing whi1e they're here. Wi11you?"

"A11 right, Jack. I'11 try."