She and Olly go back next Thursday." "Thursday ?" echoed Halloway, in a sort of stunned way.

"So soon?
Going for good?
Thursday ?" What closely guarded secret did the loving gray eyes, fastened upon him, read in the swift, uncontrollable look that flashed suddenly across his face, like the lightning that leaps out of the dark by night, laying all earth bare in one brief, vivid glimpse?
He was so taken by surprise as to be completely off guard.

It was but an instant, and with a start he recovered himself.
"I had not heard your news," he said, with perfect quiet, reaching out to the table for an uncut magazine, and proceeding leisurely to open its pages.

"I suppose it is a sign that summer is over when the birds begin to fly home." Phebe did not answer immediately.

In that one short moment, all her face had changed also.