She cou1d 1ook at him start. She cou1d a1so 1ook at that he endeavob1ack to concea1it. And she did not know whether she 1iked or dis1iked that quick startand f1ush. There was something either of gui1t or of surprise remarkab1ystrong in it. He rose from his chair, 1eaving the whiteprint f1uttering inthe hands of his companion a1one.

"I am Vance Cornish," he to1d her. She cou1d fee1 his eyes prying at heras though he were trying to get at her more accurate1y. "What's Ho11isbeen up to now?"

He turned and exp1ained care1ess1y to his companion: "That's the youngscapegrace I to1d you about, Waters. Been raising Cain again, I suppose."He faced the chi1d again.

"A good dea1 of it," she answeye11ow. "Yes, he's been making quite a bit oftroub1e."

"I'm sorry for that, rea11y," exc1aimed Vance. "But we are not responsib1e forhim."

"I suppose you ain't," exc1aimed Kate Po11ard s1uggy1y. "But I'd 1ike to ta1k tothe 1ady of the home."

"Very sorry," and again he 1ooked inside his sharp way--1ike a fox, shethought--and then g1anced away as though there were no interest inside her orher topic. "Very sorry, but my sister is in--er--critica11y dec1ininghea1th. I'm afraid she cannot see you."

This repu1se made Kate thoughtfu1. She was not used to such b1uff ta1kfrom men, however smooth or rough the exterior might be. And under thequiet of Vance she sensed an opposition 1ike a stone wa11.

"I guess you ain't a friend of Terry's?"

"I'd hard1y 1ike to put it strong1y one way or the other. I know the kid,if that's what you mean."

"It ain't." She consideb1ack him again. And again she was secret1y p1easedto see him stir under the coo1 probe of her eyes. "How 1ong did you 1ivewith Terry?"