"Much more likely he's come about that business of yours. Well, I've told you already and I say it again that nothing will induce me..."
"All right, Father. We can talk about that later. I'll be out in the garden if you want me."
She went out through the French windows, and almost simultaneously the door opened and John and his uncle came in.
John paused in the doorway, gazing eagerly toward the garden.
"Was that Pat?" he asked.
"I beg your pardon," said Colonel Wyvern.
"Was that Pat I thought I caught a glimpse of, going into the garden?"
"My daughter has just gone into the garden," said Colonel Wyvern with cold formality.
"Oh?" said John. He seemed about to follow her but a sudden bark from the owner of the house brought him to a halt.
"Well?" said Colonel Wyvern, and the monosyllable was a verbal pistol shot. It brought John back instantly from dreamland, and, almost more than the spectacle of his host's eyebrows, told him that life was stern and life was earnest.