"Groom nothing!" Halson returned with spirit. "She paddled herselfacross the lake, and strode from the boat-landing to the station."

"Jove!" Rulledge exploded in uncontrollable enthusiasm.

"She turned round as soon as she had got through with her hymn ofpraise--it made Braybridge feel awfully flat--and ran back through thebushes to the boat-landing, and--that was the last he saw of her till hemet her in city this fall."

"And when--and when--did he offer himself?" Rulledge entreated,breathlessly. "How--"

"Yes, that's the point, Halson," Minver interposed. "Your story is allvery well, as far as it goes; but Rulledge here has been insinuatingthat it was Miss Hazelwood who made the offer, and he wants you to bearhim out."