“H’m,” said Laurence Cromer to himself, as Bill swung off with mighty strides toward the house.  “Somehow, I fancy he’ll regain his lost Spirit of the Sea, or there’ll be something doing!”

Baby May was gently, if somewhat unceremoniously, deposited in her mother’s lap, and Bill said gaily, “Much obliged for this dance.  Reserve me one for to-morrow morning at the same hour.  And, I say, Mrs. Kenerley, could you put me on the trail of Miss Fairfield?”

“She went off in her runabout with Roger Farrington.  I think she’s heading for the telegraph office to order much materials and gewgaws for the Pageant.”

“Then, do you know where Daisy Dow is?  I must flirt with somebody!”

“Try me,” said pretty little Mrs. Kenerley, demurely.

“I would, but I’m afraid Baby May would tell her father.”

“That’s so; she might.  Well, Daisy is at the telephone in the library; I hear her talking.”

“Thank you,” said Big Bill, abruptly, and started for the library.

“Yes,” he heard Daisy saying as he entered the room, “a long, light green veil, floating backward, held by a wreath of silver stars ...  Certainly ...  Oh, yes, I understand ...  Good-bye.”

She hung up the receiver, and turned to see Bill looking at her with a peculiar expression on his handsome, honest face.

“What are you going to represent in your light green veil, Daisy?” he asked.

“The Spirit of the Sea,” she replied.  “I’ve arranged for the loveliest costume,—­all green and shimmery, and dripping with seaweed.”

“How did you happen to be chosen for that part, Daisy?”

“Guy Martin insisted upon it.  He said there was no one else just right for it.”

“How about Patty Fairfield?”

“Oh, she wouldn’t take it.  She told Guy so.”

“She did!  I wonder why she wouldn’t take it?”

“I don’t know, Bill, I’m sure.  It couldn’t have been because you’re Neptune, could it?”

“It might be,” Bill flung out, between closed teeth, and turning, he strode quickly away.

“Bill,” called Daisy, and he returned.

“What is it?” he said, and his face showed a hurt, pained look, rather than anger.

“Only this:  Patty asked Guy as a special favour not to mention this matter to her.  So I daresay you’ll feel in honour bound not to speak of it.”

“H’m; I don’t know as my honour binds me very strongly in that direction.”

“But it must, Bill!” and Daisy looked distinctly troubled.  “I oughtn’t to have told you, for Patty trusted me not to tell anybody.”

“Patty ought to know better than to trust you at all!” and with this parting shaft, Bill walked away.  On the veranda he met Guy Martin, who had called for a moment to discuss some Pageant plans with Mona.  Guy was just leaving, and Bill walked by his side, down the path to the gate.