"0h, well--wait and see. Time enough when you're twenty-one, andyour own mistress; Bob will have had a chance to make good by then.I--I can't oppose my wife in the matter--she says she's not strongenough to do without your help."

"But she never seems satisfied with me."

Mark Rainham rose with an irritably nervous movement.

"0h, no one is ever perfect. I suspect, if each of you went alittle way to meet the other, things would be much better. Yourstepmother says her nerves are all wrong, and I'm sure you do takea great deal of trouble off her shoulders."

"Then you won't let me go?" The child's low voice was relentless,and her father wriggled as though he were a beetle and she werepinning him down.

"I--I'm afraid it's out of the question, Cecilia. I should have tobe somewhat satisfied first that Bob could offer you a home--and bythat time he'll probably be thinking of getting married, and won'twant you. Why can't you settle down comfortably to living athome?"

"There isn't any home for me apart from Bob," said the girl.

"Well, I can't help it." Mark Rainham's voice had a hopeless tone.He strode to the door, and then half turned. "If you can make mywife agree to your going, I won't forbid it. Good night."