It was a quiet drive they were taking through the woods and out along the beach, and somehow in the open air things simplified themselves.

Finally, in the softness and the idle warmth, even an allusion to Monty, whose name usually meant an embarrassing change of subject, began to seem possible.

It was inevitable that Peggy should bring it in; for with her a question of tact was never allowed to dominate when things of moment were at stake.

She cowered before the plunge, but she took it unafraid.
"The doctor says Monty may go out driving to-morrow," she began.

"Isn't that fine ?" Barbara's only response was to touch her pony a little too sharply with the whip.