"Oh, no, it's nothing to hear that we're going back to Kilbrannan soon," observed Denis.

"Don't be such a fool, O.B.!" Ted turned on him angrily. "You're not a baby! I tell you, those shares may never pay another dividend!"

"Oh, Teddie!"

The woeful change in her face made him add weakly:—

"But I've never known the Pater to make a mistake over that sort of thing—"

"Oh, Teddie!"

She was radiant again. She started talking; her voice was breathless, almost a song of joy.

Ted said heavily, "It's an awful responsibility."

She stopped in the middle of a laugh.

"Anyway—in any case—" she said, "you—oh, how good you are, Ted!"