“That will do!” said Elnora.  “Spare me the enumeration of how I will regret it.  I shall regret nothing.  I shall not act until I know there will be nothing to regret.  I have decided on my course.  You may return to your friends.”

“What do you mean?” demanded Edith Carr.

“That is my affair,” replied Elnora.  “Only this!  When your opportunity comes, seize it!  Any time you are in Philip Ammon’s presence, exert the charms of which you boast, and take him.  I grant you are justified in doing it if you can.  I want nothing more than I want to see you marry Philip if he wants you.  He is just across the fence under that automobile.  Go spread your meshes and exert your wiles.  I won’t stir to stop you.  Take him to Onabasha, and to Chicago with you.  Use every art you possess.  If the old charm can be revived I will be the first to wish both of you well.  Now, I must return to my visitors.  Kindly excuse me.”

Elnora turned and went back to the arbour.  Edith Carr followed the fence and passed through the gate into the west woods where she asked Henderson about the car.  As she stood near him she whispered:  “Take Phil back to Onabasha with us.”

“I say, Ammon, can’t you go to the city with us and help me find a shop where I can get this pinion fixed?” asked Henderson.  “We want to lunch and start back by five.  That will get us home about midnight.  Why don’t you bring your automobile here?”

“I am a working man,” said Philip.  “I have no time to be out motoring.  I can’t see anything the matter with your car, myself; but, of course you don’t want to break down in the night, on strange roads, with women on your hands.  I’ll see.”

Philip went into the arbour, where Polly took possession of his lap, fingered his hair, and kissed his forehead and lips.

“When are you coming to the cottage, Phil?” she asked.  “Come soon, and bring Miss Comstock for a visit.  All of us will be so glad to have her.”

Philip beamed on Polly.  “I’ll see about that,” he said.  “Sounds pretty good.  Elnora, Henderson is in trouble with his automobile.  He wants me to go to Onabasha with him to show him where the doctor lives, and make repairs so he can start back this evening.  It will take about two hours.  May I go?”

“Of course, you must go,” she said, laughing lightly.  “You can’t leave your sister.  Why don’t you return to Chicago with them?  There is plenty of room, and you could have a fine visit.”

“I’ll be back in just two hours,” said Philip.  “While I am gone, you be thinking over what we were talking of when the folks came.”

“Miss Comstock can go with us as well as not,” said Polly.  “That back seat was made for three, and I can sit on your lap.”

“Come on!  Do come!” urged Philip instantly, and Tom Levering joined him, but Henderson and Edith silently waited at the gate.

“No, thank you,” laughed Elnora.  “That would crowd you, and it’s warm and dusty.  We will say good-bye here.”