The window there was open.

“Cherry must be dressing,” said Winters. “She’s back. I saw her saddle. We have time for a little chat. I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”

“Go ahead. I’m glad our ride didn’t tire you. By the way, what did you think of my Sagi?”

“Beautiful but dumb, as Cherry would say. Quietest place I ever saw. Why, it was positively silent as a grave.”

“Yes. It is a grave. That’s why I dig around there so much,” Heftral replied with a laugh.

Cherry remembered that laugh, though she had heard it very seldom. It was rather rich and pleasant, and scarcely fitted the character she had given him. She had two sudden impulses, one to make them aware of her presence, and another not to do anything of the kind. Second impulses were mostly the stronger with Cherry.

“Heftral, I’m very curious about you. What is there in it for you…in this grave-digging work, I mean?”

“Oh, it’s treasure hunting in a way. I suppose an archaeologist is born. I seldom think of reward. But, really, if I discovered the prehistoric ruin I know is buried here somewhere, it would be a big thing for me.”

“Any money in it?” inquired the New York businessman.

“Not directly. At least not at once. I suppose articles and lectures could be translated into money. It would give me prestige, though.”

“Hum. Well, prestige is all right for a young man starting in life but it doesn’t produce much bread and butter. Do you get a salary, in addition to your remuneration for articles and lectures?”

“You could call it a salary by courtesy. But besides bread-and-butter fare of the simplest kind, it wouldn’t buy stockings for a young lady I know,” returned Heftral, and again he laughed, the same nice infectious laugh.

“Now you’re talking,” Winters responded with animation. “The young lady, of course, being Cherry…Heftral, we’re getting to be good friends. Let’s be confidential. Did you ever ask my daughter to marry you?”

“Lord, no!” ejaculated Heftral.

“Well, that’s a satisfaction. It’s good for a young man to have individuality. I’m glad you’re different from the many…May I ask…forgive my persistence…the awful responsibility of being this girl’s father, you know…weren’t you in love with her?”

There was quite a long silence in which Cherry’s heart beat quickly and her ears tingled. She had never really been sure of Heftral.