The main difference between people seems to be that one man can come under obligations on which you can rely — is obligable; and another is not. As he has not a law within him, there’s nothing to tie him to.

— EMERSON.

“FATHER,” said Teddy to Lord Newhaven, “Do, do be a horse, and I will ride you in the water.”

“Me, too,” said Pauly.

“I am not anxious to be a horse, Teddy. I’m quite content as I am.”

Lord Newhaven was stretched in an easy but undefensive attitude on the heathery bank, with his hands behind his head. His two sons rushed simultaneously at him and knelt on his chest.

“Promise,” they cried, punching him. “Two turns each.” There was a free fight, and Lord Newhaven promised.

“Honour bright. Two turns each, and really deep.”

“Honour bright,” said Lord Newhaven.

His two sons got off his chest, and Teddy climbed on his back in readiness as his father sat up and began to unlace his boots.

“Higher,” said Teddy over his shoulder, his arms tightly clasped round his father’s neck, as Lord Newhaven rolled up his trousers.

“You young slave-driver, they won’t go up any higher.”

“You did say ‘Honour Bright.’”

“Well, Shylock, I am ‘honour bright.’”

“You had them over your knees last time.”

“I had knickerbockers on, then.”

“Won’t these do the same?”

“They won’t come up another inch.”

“Then one, two, three — off!” shrieked Teddy, digging his heels into the parental back.

The horse displayed surprising agility. It curveted, it kicked, it jumped a little drain, it careered into the water, making a tremendous splashing.

The two boys screamed with delight.

But at last the horse sat down on the bank gasping, wiped its forehead, and, in spite of frenzied entreaties, proceeded to put on its socks and boots.

Lord Newhaven was not to be moved a second time. He lit a cigarette, and observed that the moment for sailing boats had arrived.

The boats were accordingly sailed. Lord Newhaven tilted his hat over his eyes and acted umpire.

“It is not usual to sail boats upside down,” he said, seeing Teddy deliberately upset his.

“They are doing it out there,” said Teddy, who had a reason for most things. And he continued to sail his boat upside down.

Lord Newhaven got up, and swept the water with his eye. His face became keen. Then his glance fell anxiously on the children.

“Teddy and Pauly,” he said, “promise me that you will both play on this one bit of sand, and not go in the water till I come back.”

They promised, staring bewildered at their father.

In another moment Lord Newhaven was tearing through the brushwood that fringed the water’s edge.

As he neared the boathouse he saw another figure trying to shove out the remaining boat.

It was Doll. Lord Newhaven pushed her off and jumped in.

Doll was almost speechless. His breath came in long gasps. The sweat hung on his forehead. He pointed to the black upturned boat.

“This one leaks,” said Lord Newhaven sharply.

“It’s got to go all the same, and sharp,” said Doll, hoarsely.

Lord Newhaven seized up a fishing-tin, and thrust it into Doll’s hands.

“You bale while I row,” he said, and he rowed as he had never rowed before.

“Who is it?” he said, as the boat shot out into the open.

Doll was baleing like a madman.

“Scarlett,” he said. “And he’s over one of the springs. He’ll get cramp.”

Lord Newhaven strained at his oars.

Consciousness was coming back, was slowly climbing upwards, upwards through immense intervals of time and space, to where at last with a wrench pain met it half-way. Hugh stirred feebly in the dark of a great forlornness and loneliness.

“Rachel,” he said, “Rachel.”

His head was gently raised, and a cup pressed to his lips. He swallowed something.

He groped in the darkness for a window, and then opened his eyes. Lord Newhaven withdrew a pace or two, and stood looking at him.

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke, but Hugh’s eyes, dark with the shadow of death, said plainly, “Hast thou found me, oh mine enemy?”

Then he turned them slowly, as an infant turns them, to the sky, the climbing woods, leaning over each other’s shoulders to look at him, to the warm earth on which he lay. At a little distance was stretched a sm............