couldn’t afford it. Suddenly she laughed in Dr. Redfern’s face.

“Excuse me. It’s so — amusing,” said poor Valancy.

“Isn’t it?” said Dr. Redfern, seeing a joke — but not exactly hers. “Now, you seem like a sensible young woman, and I dare say you’ve lots of influence over Bernie. Can’t you get him to come back to civilisation and live like other people? I’ve a house up there. Big as a castle. Furnished like a palace. I want company in it — Bernie’s wife — Bernie’s children.”

“Did Ethel Traverse ever marry?” queried Valancy irrelevantly.

“Bless you, yes. Two years after Bernie levanted. But she’s