He saw Mr. and Mrs.
Blithers well down in front, and for a second his heart seemed to
stand still. Would she be with them? It was with a distinct sensation
of relief that he realised that she was not with the smiling
Americans.
Mr. Blithers waved his hat and, instead of shouting the
incomprehensible greeting of the native spectators, called out in
vociferous tones:
"Welcome home! Welcome! Hurrah!"
As the coach swerved into the circle and entered the great, tree-
lined avenue, followed by the clattering chorus of four thousand
horse-shoes, Mrs. Blithers after a final glimpse of the disappearing
coach, sighed profoundly, shook out her handkerchief from the
crumpled ball she had made of it with her nervously clenched fingers,
touched her lips with it and said:
"Oh, what a remarkably handsome, manly boy he is, Will."
Mr. Blithers nodded his head proudly. "He certainly is. I'll bet my
head that Maud is crazy about him already. She can't help it, Lou.
That trip on the _Jupiter_ was a God-send."
"I wish we could hear something from her," said Mrs.
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