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Adela was not ill-tempered as a rule. She smiled at him. “Good man, Jack! No one can say you’re an idler, anyway. I’ve got rather a nice supper for you. I shouldn’t wonder if Fletcher Hill turns up to share it. I hear he is on circuit at Trelevan.”

“I heard it, too,” said Jack. “He’s practically sure to come.”

“He’s very persistent,” said Adela. “Do you think he will ever win out?”

Jack nodded slowly. “I’ve never known him fail yet in anything he set his mind to–at least, only once. And that was a fluke.”

“What sort of a fluke?” questioned Adela, who was frankly curious.

“When Buckskin Bill slipped through his fingers.” Jack spoke thoughtfully. “That’s the only time I ever knew him fail, and I’m not sure that it wasn’t intentional then.”

“Intentional!” Adela opened her eyes.

Jack smiled a little. “I don’t say it was so. I only say it was possible. But never mind that! It’s an old story, and the man got away, anyhow–disappeared, dropped out. Possibly he’s dead. I hope he is. He did mischief enough in a short time.”

“He set the whole district humming, didn’t he?” said Adela. “They say all the women fell in love with him at sight. I wish I’d seen him.”

Jack broke into a laugh. “You’d certainly have fallen a victim!”

She tossed her head. “I’m sure I shouldn’t. I prefer respectable men. Shall we lay an extra plate in case Mr. Hill turns up?”

“No,” said Jack. “Let him come unexpectedly!”

She gave him a shrewd look. “You think Dot will like that best?”

He nodded again. “Be careful! She’s coming. Here’s Robin!”

Robin came in, wagging his tail and smiling, and behind him came Dot. She moved slowly, as if dispirited. Jack’s quick eyes instantly detected the fact that she had been shedding tears.

“You’re too late, little ‘un,” he said, with kindly cheeriness. “The work is all done.”

She looked from him to Adela. “I’m sorry I’m late,” she said. “I’m afraid I forgot about supper.”

“Oh, you’re in love!” joked Adela. “You’ll forget to come in at all one of these days.”

The girl gave her a swift look, but said nothing, passing through with a weary step on her way to her own room.

Robin followed her closely, as one in her confidence; and Jack laid a quiet hand on his wife’s arm.

“Don’t laugh at her!” he said.

She stared at him. “Good gracious, Jack! What’s the matter? I didn’t mean anything.”

“I know you didn’t. But this thing is serious. If Fletcher Hill comes to-night, I believe she’ll have him–that is, if she’s let alone. But she won’t if you twit her with it. It’s touch and go.”

Jack spoke with great earnestness. It was evident that the matter was one upon which he felt very strongly, and Adela shrugged a tolerant shoulder and yielded to his persuasion.

“I’ll be as solemn as a judge,” she promised. “The affair certainly has hung fire considerably. It would be a good thing to get it settled. But Fletcher Hill! Well, he wouldn’t be my choice!”

“He’s a fine man,” asserted Jack.

“Oh, I’ve no doubt. But he’s an animal with a nasty bite, or I am much mistaken. However, let Dot marry him by all means if she feels that way! It’s certainly high time she married somebody.”

She turned aside to put the teapot on the hob, humming inconsequently, and the subject dropped.

Jack went to his room to wash, and in a few minutes more they gathered round the supper-table with careless talk of the doings of the day.

It had always been Dot’s favourite time, the supper-hour. In the old days before Jack’s marriage she had looked forward to it throughout the day. The companionship of this beloved brother of hers had been the chief joy of her life.

But things were different now. It was her part to serve the meal, to clear the table, and to wash the dishes Jack and Adela were complete without her. Though they always welcomed her when the work was done, she knew that her society was wholly unessential, and she often prolonged her labours in the scullery that she might not intrude too soon upon them. She was no longer necessary to anyone–except to Robin the faithful, who followed her as her shadow. She had become Number Three, and she was lonely–she was lonely!