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the present to days so long since when he and Grant had roamed the grassy rides about Mellyn together and he had been taught how to handle a gun and saddle a horse and snare rabbits in the nearby woods. Whatever had come between them since could scarcely have wiped out such a lasting memory. There must be something left.
    She wondered about the girl who had come between them, trying to imagine the sort of person she had been until Philip said abruptly:
    “If you’re thinking about Kerry, she’s dead.”
    “I’m sorry,” she faltered, not knowing what else could be said.
    “I thought you must have heard something. Grant told me the Oliver Chilterns were on board and the woman is an inveterate scandal-monger. She’s known Grant and me all our lives, and, of course, she knew about Kerry.”
    That was obviously to be an end to confidences for one day. His voice sank into a deep silence which was not broken till Moira got to her feet.
    “Please don’t think I have been trying to probe into your private affairs, Philip,” she begged gently. “I didn’t mean to ask you about Kerry—or anything else.”
    “Grant would probably have told you,” he said, his eyes following her movements as she tidied the books and magazines into the arm slots of his chair.
    Moira felt that she did not want to discuss Grant at that moment. Her desire to be alone took her to the farthest end of the ship, down three decks and out to the rail where a seaman was adjusting the log, but she was not to escape thus easily. Before the seaman had touched his cap to her in salute and disappeared in the direction of the bridge, Grant Melmore had come striding along the deck to stand beside her.
    “Tomorrow we will reach the Canaries,” he said, coming to the point without preliminary. “Have you made up your mind yet about coming home with us?”
    “I’ll come,” she said at last, “till Philip is well.”
    “Philip will be pleased,” he said drawing out his pipe to light it in the shelter of his white jacket.
    Was that all? Did he feel nothing, nothing at all, about her decision? It was a convenience, something that would benefit Philip, and because of that he was relieved!
    “All this has been most unconventional,” he said, “but believe me, I am very grateful. We’ll try to make you comfortable at Mellyn, and I could promise you a job in the local hospital afterwards, I think.”
    His gratitude stung, like a kind word in the place of love, yet she told herself that she was not in love with him. She was sorry for Philip, that was all.
    “You’ll be going ashore tomorrow,” he said, looking out to the golden Atlantic sunset. “Ports are like an oasis in the desert on these long sea trips.”
    “I would like to see Las Palmas,” Moira confessed. “I’ve been unlucky so far. We got ashore at Madeira coming out, but each time we’ve called at the Canaries I’ve had a serious case in the sick-bay and Doctor Paston has always promised to take someone else. We can’t both be away from the surgery at the same time.”
    “Can I hope to take you ashore, then?” he asked unexpectedly. “I feel that Philip and I owe you something for these past few days.”
    “But what about Philip?” she asked. “Won’t he need you?”
    “He’s agreed to be patient with the stewardess,” he said, so that it was quite obvious that he had discussed his proposition with his brother beforehand and his offer to take her ashore was no impulsive suggestion made from the sheer desire for her company. “She’s quite willing to tackle the job to give you a day off.”
    “She’s a dear!” Moira declared, her eyes shining.
    “I’ll tell Paston that I am taking you ashore.”
    “I’m afraid you won’t be at all popular,” Moira told him lightheartedly. “He imagines it is his prerogative.”
    “To take you ashore?” he asked, frowning.
    “Oh, no!” Obviously she had confused the issue. “What I meant was that Greg thinks no one else