rose and came and stood behind Richard at the window and tapped upon the
pane, waving his hand as the riders looked up. Instantly all three faces
lighted with happy recognition and acknowledgment. Ruth waved and
nodded. Ted pulled off his cap and swung it. Roberta gave a quick
military salute, her gray-gauntleted hand at her hat brim.

Richard smiled with the Judge at the charming sight, and sighed with the
next breath. What a fool he had been to tie himself down to this desk
when other people were riding into the country! Yet--if he hadn't been
tied to that desk he would neither have known nor cared who rode out
from the old Gray stables, or where they went.

The Judge caught the slight escaping breath and smiled again as the
riders passed out of sight. "It makes you wish for the open country,
doesn't it?" said he. "I don't blame you. I should have gone with the
young folks myself if I had been ten years younger. It _is_ a fine day,
isn't it? I've been so absorbed I hadn't observed. Suppose we stop work
at three and let ourselves out into God's outdoors? Not a bad idea, eh?"

"Not bad," agreed Richard with a leap of spirits, "if it pleases you,
sir. I'm ready to work till the usual time if you prefer."

"Well spoken. But I don't prefer. I shall enjoy a stroll down the avenue
myself in this sunshine. What sunshine--for November!"

It was barely three when the Judge released his assistant, two hours
after the riding party had left. As he opened the front door and ran to
his waiting car, Richard was wondering how many miles away they were and
in what direction they had gone. He wanted nothing so much as to meet
them somewhere on the road--better yet, to overtake and come upon them