“You leave it to me. He’ll lunch with you next Sunday. Miss Batten’s just what he’s lookin’ for. I’ll do him and you a good turn all with one stone.”

Barbara came out of the house. Her face was radiant. She started to run at sight of Donald.

“Have you heard?”

“Yes. I’d know from your face, anyway.”

He got up.

“When are we expecting him?”

“Any time. He’d left when the cable was sent off.” She walked beside Donald up the street. She spoke in a kind of gasp. “I’m almost too happy to be true. I ought really to have gone to the wedding this afternoon, but I had to be alone. Do you know that feeling?”

He slipped his arm through hers.

“I hope you’re going to marry him.”

“So do I, but I couldn’t leave Daddy while he’s stuck in a chair half the day, he’d be so lonely.”

“If Dick’s stationed over here you could divide your time.”

“No. I’d mean to, but if it was possible to be all the time with Dick I’d be with him. I expect we’ll have to wait a little longer. As long as he’s home and safe and I can see him sometimes I can bear it.”

Donald kicked a stone out of his path.

“He’s a lucky blighter; it’s fine to fall in love with a girl who’s solid gold all through.”

“I’m not. You’re making my face red. Oh, look! Old Tom blind to the world.”

Donald laughed.

“My beer, your father’s port, and God knows what else.” Tom came rolling down the street. He had on a black suit, in his buttonhole was a large marguerite.

“Evenin’, Mr. Sheldon,” he roared. “Evenin’, Miss Haines. You ought’r have been at my grandson’s wedding. Beautiful. Miss Iris and Miss Brain were there. Miss Iris was wholly pleased with the cake.” He swayed and Donald steadied him.

“The happy couple gone off on their honeymoon?”

“That’s it!” Tom gave Donald a leer. “Reckon they’re gettin’ on all ri’. You know, Mis’er Sheldon, that’s what you ought to be doin’. Gettin’ married. That gir’s jus’ the one for you. Not her fancified baggage of a sister, she’s no good. No, it’s Miss Janet. That’s the gir’ for you.”

Donald gave the old man an affectionate pat on the arm.

“I dare say. Off you go now, and you be careful how much more you swallow or you’ll spend the night in a ditch.”

Barbara watched Tom roll away, then she turned shyly to Donald.

“It’s a good idea, you know. Now Janet is solid gold all through if ever anybody was.”

He stopped and played with one of Hoover’s ears.

“Is she, Barbara?”

Barbara’s voice rose at his question.

“Of course she is.”