From his obvious desire to eschew the society of his fellow men and women, and from the acid cynicism of his outlook on things in general, it had been gradually assumed amongst them that some happenings in the past had marred his life, poisoning the springs of faith, and hope, and charity at their very fount, and with the tact of real friendship they never sought to discover what he so evidently wished concealed.

“Where is Molly to-day?” Miles’s pleasant voice broke across the awkward moment, giving yet a fresh trend to the conversation that was languishing uncomfortably.

Sara’s gaze ranged searchingly over the little groups of people sprinkled about the lawn.

“Isn’t she here yet?” she asked, startled.  “She was coming back from Oldhampton by the afternoon train, and promised to meet me here.”

Miles looked at his watch.

“The attractions of Oldhampton have evidently proved too strong for her,” he said a little drily.  “If she had come by the afternoon train, she would have been here an hour ago.”

Sara looked troubled.

“Oh, but she must be here—­somewhere,” she insisted rather anxiously.

“Shall I see if I can find her for you?” suggested Trent stiffly.

Sara, sensing his wish to be gone and genuinely disturbed at Molly’s non-appearance, acquiesced.

“I should be very glad if you would,” she answered.  Then turning to Miles, she went on:  “I can’t think where she can be.  Somehow, Molly has become rather—­difficult, lately.”

Herrick smiled.

“Don’t look so distressed.  It is only a little ebullition of la jeunesse.”

Sara turned to him swiftly.

“Then you’ve noticed it, too—­that she is different?”

He nodded.

“Lookers-on see most of the game, you know.  And I’m essentially a looker-on.”  He bit back a quick sigh, and went on hastily:  “But I don’t think you need worry about our Molly’s vagaries.  She’s too sound au fond to get into real mischief.”

“She wouldn’t mean to,” conceded Sara.  “But she is——­” She hesitated.

“Youthfully irresponsible,” suggested Miles.  “Let it go at that.”

Sara looked at him affectionately, reflecting that Trent’s black cynicism made a striking foil to the serene and constant charity of Herrick’s outlook.

“You always look for the best in people, Miles,” she said appreciatively.

“I have to.  Don’t you see, people are my whole world.  I’m cut off from everything else.  If I didn’t look for the best in them, I should want to kill myself.  And I’m pretty lucky,” he added, smiling humorously.  “I generally find what I’m looking for.”

At this moment Trent returned with the news that Molly was nowhere to be found.  It was evident she had not come to Greenacres at all.

Sara rose, feeling oddly apprehensive.

“Then I think I shall go home and see if she has arrived there yet,” she said.  She smiled down at Miles.  “Even irresponsibility needs checking—­if carried too far.”