he laughed, at the same time mapping his program. “Between now and dinner I’ve got to do a hundred and twenty miles. I’m taking the racer, and it’s going to be some dust and bump and only an occasional low place. I haven’t the heart to ask you along. You go on and take it out of Duddy and Fuddy.”

Paula sighed, but so poor an actress was she that in the sigh, intended for him as a customary reluctant yielding of his company, he could not fail to detect the relief at his decision.

“Whither away?” she asked brightly, and again he noticed the color in her face, the happiness, and the brilliance of her eyes.

“Oh, I’m shooting away down the river to the dredging work — Carlson insists I must advise him —