WhenthelittlemiteofbusinesshadbeentransactedandthepairreturnedtotheWyethhousetheyfoundMrs。WyethandMary-’Gustaawaitingthemintheparlor。Thegirlhadthefeelingthatshehadbeenundergoingarathervigorouscross-examination。Mrs。Wyethhadnottalkedagreatdealherselfandhermanner，thoughbrusqueandmatteroffact，waskind；butshehadaskedquestionsaboutMary-
’Gusta’shomelife，aboutCaptainGouldandMr。Hamilton，aboutschoolandfriendsandacquaintances。Andhercomments，whenshemadeany，weredirectandtothepoint。
SheandMr。Keithexchangedlookswhenthelatterenteredtheroom。
Keithraisedhiseyebrowsinquiringly。Shenoddedasifgivingemphaticassenttohisunspokenquestion。
ShadrachandMary-’Gustaleftthehousesoonafterward。WhiletheCaptainandMr。Keithwerewhisperingtogetherinthehall，Mrs。