"Oh, the craft of the male sex."

"The end justifies the means," quoted Archie, Jesuitically; "but oh, I say----" He stopped, and a look of alarm overspread his face.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm afraid I won't be able to come down to Berkshire."

"Why not?"

"Because I have to go to South America next month."

Kaituna froze instantly, and annihilated him with a glacial look, at which he quailed visibly.

"I can't help it, Miss Pethram," he said piteously, "don't look at me like that."

"I'm not looking at you like that," retorted Miss Pethram vengefully. "I--I hope you'll have a pleasant voyage."

"I won't! I hate the sea."

"Then why go?"

"Needs must, when the devil drives."

"That's very coarse."

"But it's very true. I beg your pardon, really; but, you know, it is hard to have to go prancing about the world when you don't want to."

"How long will you be out in South America?"

"I don't know. Perhaps for ever, if I get yellow fever."

"I wish you wouldn't talk like that."

"Man is mortal," said Maxwell, with gloomy relish.

"Man is silly," retorted Kaituna rising to her feet, "so I'm going to ask Mr. Clendon to sing a song."

"You never ask me!" said the young man reproachfully.

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