that I have to take up cudgels for her, or I never can go back and face her; and I have to go back because she needs me. Do make just one try, and then I won't bother you any more."
"All right," said Dick, "I'll do what I can; but somehow I haven't much hope;" and he drove away, turning over in his mind possible methods of approach to the subject, and what he could say to Evalani in mitigation of what seemed to him to be unwarranted interference with her affairs.
And so, that evening, as they sat in the dusk, he spoke casually of having seen Bert Sands that day; dwelling upon her bright and crisp personality and repeating an amusing little incident which she had told him. Then he purposely let the conversation lapse without changing the subject.
Naturally Evalani's thought continued to run along the same channel, and presently she spoke: "Was she very much surprised," she asked, "—the day when she helped you with little David—was she very much surprised—when she saw him?"
"Yes," said Dick. "That was to be expected, of course, when you know what people generally think."
"What did she say?"
"Nothing, that I remember. She just hugged him."
Evalani smiled.
"I wish that you wanted to know Bert Sands,"
