“To be seen? By whom? Is he on show in the town?”

“No—don’t laugh. It’s really important for his future. I must tell you something. He’s taken the modified pledge.”

Her look said, “There! what d’you think of that?”

“Modified!” said Dion, rather doubtfully.

“Never between meals—never.”

“At any rate that’s a step in the right direction.”

“Isn’t it? I took it with him.”

“The modified pledge?”

“Yes,” she said, with great seriousness.

“But you never——! To help him, of course.”