she seems good hearted. Wonder what colour her hair used to be?"

"I suppose they are all right," said Nan. "They are a little rowdy. They
gave me a headache."

Illogically rehabilitated in his own self-esteem, Keith went on dressing.
He was "on" to Mrs. Morrell; her methods were pretty obvious. Wonder if she
thought she had really fooled him? Next time he would be on guard and beat
her at her own game. She was not a woman to his taste, anyway--he glanced
admiringly at Nan's clean profile against the light--but she was full of
vitality, she was keen, she was brimming with the joy of life.

The long drive over the Peninsula to the sea and back, the episode of the
Spanish people, the rowdy supper party, had one effect, however: it had
made so decided a break in the routine that Keith found himself thrust
quite outside it. He had worked feverishly all the week, at about double
speed; and in ordinary course would have gone on working feverishly at
double speed for another week. Now, suddenly, the thought was irksome. He
did not analyze this; but, characteristically, discovered an irrefutable
reason for not going on with it. They rescued Gringo from Sam's care, and
drove up to the house. On the way Keith said:

"Look here, Nan; do you suppose you and Wing can get on all right this
morning? All the heavy work is done. I really ought to be settling the
office and getting some lines laid for business."

"Why, of course we can get on, silly!" she rejoined. "This isn't your job,
anyway. Of course you ought to attend to your business."

Keith again consulted Palmer, Cook & Co. The same clerk showed him offices.