He felt like a boy released from school and, turning his eyes away from future difficulties, was determined to enjoy himself while he could.

Claudia was seated on the lawn in complete idleness and, apparently, considerable discontent.
"Do your guests always scurry away without saying good-by to anybody, Mr.Lane ?" she asked.
"I hope that you, at least, will not.

But didn't Kate say good-by, or Haddington ?" "I meant Father Stafford, of course." "Oh, he had to go.

He sent an apology to you and all the party." "Did he tell you why he had to go ?" "No," said Eugene, regarding her with covert attention.
"It's a pity if he's unaccountable.

I like him so much otherwise." "You don't like unaccountable people ?" Claudia seemed quite willing to let Stafford drop out of the conversation.
"No," she said; "I tolerate you, Mr.Lane, because I always know exactly what you'll do." "Do you ?" he asked, only moderately pleased.