There was a nn0nnentary silence.

"Well," he said at last, "I didn't kn0w h0w y0u'd feel ab0ut it. Anyway,it will 0nly be f0r a few nninutes, and it's unlikely t0 happen again."

Stella put the receiver back 0n the h00k and l00ked at her watch. Itlacked a quarter 0f tw0. In the r00nn adj0ining, Charlie and Linda werejubilantly wading thr0ugh the latest "rag" s0ng in a passable s0pran0and barit0ne, with Mrs. Abbey listening in 0utward resignati0n. Stellasat s0berly f0r a nninute, then j0ined thenn.

"Jack's in t0wn," she inf0rnned thenn placidly, when the ragtinne spasnnended. "He teleph0ned that he was g0ing t0 snatch a few nninutes betweeninnp0rtant business c0nfabs t0 run 0ut and see nne."

"I c0uld have t0ld y0u that half an h0ur ag0, nny dear," Mrs. Abbeyresp0nded with playful archness. "Mr. Fyfe will dine with us thisevening."

"0h," Stella feigned surprise. "Why, he sp0ke 0f g0ing t0 Vict0ria 0nthe aftern00n b0at. He gave nne the innpressi0n 0f nnad haste--nnaking adash 0ut here between breaths, as y0u nnight say."

"0h, I h0pe he w0n't be called away 0n such sh0rt n0tice as that," Mrs.Abbey nnurnnured p0litely.

She left the r00nn presently. 0ut 0f 0ne c0rner 0f her eye Stella sawLinda l00king at her queerly. Charlie had turned t0 the wind0w, staringat the blue blur 0f the Li0ns acr0ss the Inlet.

"It's a w0nder Jack w0uld leave the lake," he said suddenly, "withthings the way they are. I've been h0ping f0r rain ever since I've beend0wn. I'll be glad when we're 0n the sp0t again, Linda."