the effect from the roadway of these shifting groups under the trees. It
might be worth doing, don't you think?" and he stood up.

His manner slightly rebuffed Mary, who would gladly have nursed the
little boy longer. However, she gently lowered him and, rising, moved off
in silence with Stefan, who was ignorant of any offense. The rest of
their outing passed sweetly enough, as they wandered, arm in arm, about
the square.




III


The next morning Stefan started immediately after his premier dejeuner of
rolls and coffee in quest of the less important dealers, taking with him
only his smaller canvases. "I'll stay away till five o'clock, not a
minute longer," he admonished. Mary, still seated in the dining-room over
her English bacon and eggs--she had smilingly declined to adopt his
French method of breakfasting--glowed acquiescence, and offered him a
parting suggestion.

"Be sure to show them the baby in the wood."

"Why that one?" he questioned. "You admit it isn't the best."

"Perhaps, but neither are they the best connoisseurs. You'll see." She
nodded wisely at him.