And now, by accident, as it were, the death of Adelaide Melhuish thrust itself into their conversation.

Perhaps it was her fault.
"No," she said candidly.

"No one who has known you for seven years, Mr.
Siddle, could possibly accuse you of spreading scandal." "Seven years! Is it so long since I came to Steynholme?
Sometimes, it appears an age, but more often I fancy the calendar must be in error.
Why, it seems only the other day that I saw you in a short frock, bowling a hoop." "A tom-boy occupation," laughed Doris.

"But dad encouraged that and skipping, as the best possible means of exercise." "He was right.

Look how straight and svelte you are! Few, if any, among our community can have watched your progress to womanhood as closely as I.You see, living opposite, as I do, I kept track of you more intimately than your other neighbors." Siddle was trimming his sails cleverly.