"I saw your roadster and thought I might ride home with you. Uncle Pete and I have been having a lovely little visit. It is perfectly charming to see you again like this, Mary. Your flowers are beautiful as ever, aren't they?"
"But, Helen, how do you happen to be wandering about in this neighborhood alone and without your car?" demanded the still bewildered John.
"Don't be silly," she laughed. "I was out for a walk—that is all. I do walk sometimes, you know." She turned to Mary. "Really, to hear this brother of mine, one would think me a helpless invalid and this part of Millsburgh a very dangerous community."
Mary forced a smile, but the light in her eyes was not the light of happiness and her cheeks were still a burning red.
"Don't you think we should go now, John?" suggested Helen.
The helpless John looked from Mary to her father appealingly.
"Better sit down awhile," Pete offered, awkwardly.
John looked at his watch. "I suppose we really ought to go." To Mary he added, "Will you please tell Charlie that I will see him to-morrow?"
She bowed gravely.
Then the formal parting words were spoken, and Helen and John were seated in the car. Mary had moved aside from the gate and stood now very still among her flowers.