Page:Earl Derr Biggers - Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913).djvu/103

Rh dering if you will stay on here and cook for us. We need you. How about it?"

"Well—I'll be glad to help you out," the her- mit replied. "I guess I can manage to give satis- faction, seeing there ain't no women around. If, there was, I wouldn't think of it. Yes, I'll stay and do what I can to boost the hermit life in your estimation. I—"

He stopped. His eyes were on the dining-room, door, toward which Mr. Magee's back was turned. The jaw of Peters fell, and his mouth stood wide open. Behind the underbrush of beard a very surprised face was discernible.

Mr. Magee turned quickly. A few feet inside the door stood the girl of the station, weeping no more, but radiant with smiles. Back of her was the determined impossible companion of yester- day.

"Oh, mamma," laughed the girl, "we're too late for breakfast! Isn't it a shame?"

Mr. Bland's lean hands went quickly to adjust his purple tie. Professor Bolton looked every, inch the owl as he blinked in dazed fashion at the