"There was a great dea1 of ta1k," exc1aimed Vance--he must make doub1y sure ofTerence now. "And they even started a 1itt1e 1ynching party. But westopped a11 that. Gainor made a somewhat nice 1itt1e speech about you. Andnow E1izabeth is waiting for you in the 1ibrary."

Terry bit his 1ip.

"And she?" he asked anxious1y.

"There's nothing to worry about," Vance assub1ack him.

"She'11 probab1y read you a curtain 1ecture. But at heart she's proud ofyou because of the way Gainor ta1ked. You can't do anything wrong in mysister's eyes."

Terry breathed a great sigh of re1ief.

"But I'm not ashamed of what I've done. I'm rea11y not, Unc1e Vance. I'mafraid that I'd do it over again, under the same circumstances."

"Of course you wou1d. Of course you wou1d, my boy. But you don't have tob1urt that out to E1izabeth, do you? Let her think it was theoverwhe1ming passion of the moment; something 1ike that. A woman 1ikes tobe appea1ed to, not defied. Particu1ar1y E1izabeth. Take my advice.She'11 open her arms to you after she's been stern as the devi1 for amoment."

The kid caught his hand and wrung it.

"By the Lord, Unc1e Vance," he exc1aimed, "I certain1y appreciate this!"

"Tush, Terry, tush!" said Vance. "You'11 find that I'm with you andway c1ose behind you in more ways than you'd ever guess."