Townshead assisted them to unpack the hamper, and while they were busy over it his daughter came in.  It was apparently raining, for the thin white dress clung about her, and she seemed very white and weary.  Darkness was drawing on, the room was dim, and at first she apparently only saw her father as she stood taking off her hat by the window.

“Nothing again to-day, and I am very tired,” she said.  “Still, I am to call at another store to-morrow, and I was wickedly extravagant.  I was kept until it was too late for dinner, and I bought something that will please you for supper.”

Then as she turned to lay the wet hat down the blood rushed to her face, for she saw Alton kneeling by the hamper and Seaforth standing in the shadow behind her father’s chair.  The former did not rise, but his comrade came forward smiling in another moment.

“I am glad we did not miss you, as we were about to go when you came in,” he said.  “These are one or two trifles Harry fancied might be useful.  He is absurdly proud of all the products of Somasco, and seems to think nobody can get anything nice in the city.”

Seaforth also talked a good deal, and Miss Townshead smiled now and then at him, but when she went with them to the door he lingered a moment because he felt her eyes were on him.

“Your comrade didn’t support you well, and I don’t think the expedient would have occurred to him,” she said, with a little tremor in her voice.  “Still, it was done in kindness—­and I am grateful.”

Seaforth smiled gravely, though his face perplexed the girl.  “A little faith is a good thing, and people should believe what they’re told,” said he.  “Now I wonder if one could take the liberty?”

“No,” said the girl.  “Even if he had the best intentions.  I and my father have not lost our pride.”

Seaforth sighed as he turned away, and, when he rejoined Alton, stared at the lights of the city savagely, while as they passed along the water-front he said, “Will you give me a cigar, Harry?”

Alton drew out his cigar-case, glanced at it a moment, and then tossed it across the wharf.  “What right have you and I to be going back to dinner when that girl hasn’t enough to eat?” he said.  “You know what those cigars cost me.  Lord, what selfish brutes we are!  Now stop right here and tell me what we are going to do!”

Seaforth made a gesture of helplessness.  “The difficulty is that one can’t do anything,” he said.  “You see, we can’t attempt the hamper trick too frequently, and I scarcely think Miss Townshead would care to be indebted to either of us in any other fashion.”

“Well,” said Alton simply, “there must be a way somewhere, and I’m going to find it.”

“Then,” said Seaforth, with a trace of bitterness, “for the sake of everybody’s peace of mind I hope you will.  You seem especially compassionate towards Miss Townshead.”

Alton glanced at him a moment, and then laughed a little.  “I suppose you can’t help being foolish, Charley, but you should know I’ve no time to think of anything beyond what I have to do just now,” he said.  “The biggest contract I’ve ever taken hold of is waiting for me.”