being made a fuss over, gave a brief account of the fire--omitting mention
of his narrow escape--and insisted that she go to bed. After a few moments
she obeyed, and immediately fell asleep. Keith bathed himself and changed,
made a cup of coffee, and wandered about rather impatiently waiting for
time to go downtown. Wing Sam appeared, the morning paper came. The sun
gained strength, and finally tempted him outside.

For some time he prowled around, examining Nan's efforts at gardening.
There was not much to show as yet, but Keith had already the eye of faith
so essential to the Californian, and saw plainly trees, shrubs, and flowers
where now only spears of green were visible. The Morrells' garden next door
was already well grown, and he cast on it an appraising eye. No sign of
life showed about the place except a thread of smoke from the kitchen
chimney. It was still early.

Nevertheless, five minutes later Mrs. Morrell opened the side door and
stepped forth. She had on a wide leghorn hat, and carried a basket and
scissors as though to gather flowers. Immediately she caught sight of Keith
and waved him a gay greeting. He vaulted the fence and joined her.

"Aren't these early morning hours perfect? Isn't this glorious sunshine?"
she greeted him.

As a matter of fact Mrs. Morrell seldom rose before noon, and detested
early morning hours and glorious sunshine. She was inclined to consider the
usual remarks in their praise as sheer affectation. But she adored fires,
and often went to them when they promised well enough. Sometimes she
attended in company with certain of her men friends; and sometimes alone,
cloaked as a man. She liked the destruction and stimulation of them. She
had been to the fire just extinguished, and seeing Keith in the garden, had