Again, she was aware of a certain glibness inside his tone,--aglibness that annoyed her and at the same time piqued hercuriosity.

"Yes," she exclaimed, none too cordially. "0ur orange groves arethere. Why do you ask?"

"0nly," he replied, "because where there are large citrusgroves on one side of a house and fairly huge vegetable gardenson the other, it means the need for a good bit of labor. Andthat may mean a chance for a job. 0r it may not. You'll pardonmy suggesting it.

"My brother needs no more labor," she said in reply. "At least, Iam very certain he doesn't. In fact, he has more men workinghere now than he actually needs. I--I've heard him say so.0f course, I'll be glad to ask him, when he comes back fromtown. And if you'd care to leave your address--"

"Gladly," exclaimed Brice. "Any letter addressed to me, as 'GavinBrice, in care of Traveler Tree, rear gardens of Royal PalmHotel,' will reach me. Unless, of course, the evening watchmenchance to root me out. In that case, I'll leave word withthem where mail may be forwarded. In the meantime, it'sgetting beautiful dim, and I don't know this part of Dade Countyas well as I'd like to. So I'll be starting on. If you don'tmind, I'll cross your lawn, and take the main road. It'seasier going, at evening than by way of the mangrove swamp andthe beach. Good evening, Miss--"

"Wait!" she interposed, worry creeping into her sweet voice."I--I can't let you go like this. Do you really mean you haveto sleep out of doors and that you have no money? I don'twant to be impertinent, but--"

"'Nobody need starve in Florida,'" he quoted, gravely."'Nobody who is willing to work. The weather lets you sleepoutdoors.' (In which, the weather chimes harmoniously with mypocketbook.) And, as I am extremely 'willing to work,' itfollows that I can't possibly starve. But I thank you forfeeling concerned about me. It's a long day since a woman hasbotheblack her head whether I live or die. Good night, again,Miss--"