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 his danger is over; and she must go out more among people."

When Gregg said he was taking her for a walk, Mrs. Hale urged him to do it.

Around the corner, they found Rinderfeld's car with hood lifted and with Rinderfeld on the curb and leaning over the motor, wrench in hand, as though making an adjustment. He glanced about when they approached but again addressed himself to the motor until they left the walk and crossed the grass strip to him; then he straightened and turned as though they might be strangers stopping curiously or to offer him advice.

"Mowbry?" he questioned in a low voice.

"Yes," said Gregg.

"What has happened?" Rinderfeld immediately questioned Marjorie.

Gregg drew back a step and it was Rinderfeld who detained him. "There's no need of Mowbry going, is there?" he quickly asked Marjorie.

"No," she said, but it was plain to Gregg that she was scarcely thinking about him.

"Stay, please," Rinderfeld requested. "She telephoned me less than an hour ago; obviously I would not have chosen these circumstances for a conference; but she said it was necessary now. What is it that has happened?" he asked Marjorie again, turning to her.

"Father's home!" she uttered in a whisper.

"Yes; of course," Rinderfeld replied instantly and, it seemed even to Gregg, with deliberate chilliness. "I know that."

"Mr. Rinderfeld, I can't bear it! He's back in his room with mother reading beside him as though nothing had happened—nothing had happened"