“I think it’s a wasted sentiment,” Jake said.  “But—­do what seems good to you, my girl!  I shan’t interfere.”

“And you won’t be vexed?” she pleaded.

He smiled his sudden, illumining smile.  “No, I reckon you’ll never vex me any that way again,” he said.

She went close to him.  “Indeed—­no, Jake!  But—­don’t you understand?  I hate to go against your wishes—­your prejudices—­in anything.”

He put out a hand to her.  “You needn’t be afraid of that either,” he said.  “If you do it—­it’s right.”

She clasped the strong hand tightly in both her own.  “That’s the best thing you’ve ever said to me,” she said.  “Are you quite sure you mean it?”

“Sure,” said Jake, and pulled her to him to kiss her once again.

CHAPTER III

BUNNY

When Saltash arrived that evening he found Bunny and Jake sauntering together in the sunset glow along the gravelled terrace in front of the house.  He shot towards them in his car with that characteristic suddenness of his, swerving and coming to a stand before the porch with the confident ease of an alighting bird.  And here, seated in the porch and screened by white clematis, he found Maud.

She rose to greet him, her eyes alight with pleasure.  “Oh, Charlie,” she said, “I have wanted to shake hands with you ever since I heard of your escape.”

He bent and kissed the hand she gave him.  “Gracious as ever!” he commented lightly.  “Had you begun to wear mourning for me, I wonder?  It was a very cold bath, I assure you.  We didn’t enjoy it, any of us.”

“I am sure you didn’t.”  Her eyes still dwelt upon the dark face with its half-mocking smile with a species of maternal tenderness.  “And you lost your yacht too!  That was desperately unlucky.”

He made a comic grimace.  “I am past the age for crying over spilt milk, Maud of the Roses.”  He uttered his old name for her with daring assurance.  “I have had worse losses than that in my time.”

“And still you smile,” she said.

He bowed.  “A smile can conceal so much.”  He turned to his host as he came up behind him.  “Well, Jake, I’ve taken you at your word, you see, and intruded into your virtuous household.  How are Eileen and Molly and Betty and—­last but not least—­the son and heir?”

Maud laughed softly.  “Well done, Charlie!  How clever of you to remember them all!”

“Oh yes, I am quite clever,” said Saltash, as again his hand met Jake’s.  “Too clever sometimes.  I needn’t ask if all goes well with you, Jake.  Your prosperity is obvious, but don’t wax fat on it.  Bunny now—­he’s as lean as a giraffe.  Can’t you do something to him?  He looks as if he’d melt into thin air at a touch.”

“Oh, don’t be an ass!” protested Bunny.  “I’m as strong as a horse anyway.  Jake, tell him not to be an ass!”

“No good, I’m afraid,” said Jake, with his sudden smile.  “Come inside, my lord!  The children are all flourishing, but in bed at the present moment.  The baby—­”