“Oh yes. He never stays long away from my mother. I shall be going home myself as soon as I get back from the race.”

“And shall you spend the summer there?”

“Part of it. I always like to do that.”

“Perhaps when you get away you'll come as far as Campobello—with Mr. Boardman,” she added.

“Has Boardman promised to go?” laughed Mavering. “He will promise anything. Well, I'll come to Campobello if you'll come to New London. Do come, Mrs. Pasmer!”

The mother stood watching the two young men from the window as they made their way across the square together. She had now, for some reason; no apparent scruple in being seen to do so.

“How ridiculous that stout little Mr. Boardman is with him!” said Mrs. Pasmer. “He hardly comes up to his shoulder. Why in the world should he have brought him?”

“I thought he was very pleasant,” said the girl.

“Yes, yes, of course. And I suppose he'd have felt that it was rather pointed coming alone.”

“Pointed?”