steadily, blankly.

“I’m sorry genuinely, Armstrong, but I can’t tell you now. Don’t misunderstand, please. 31 I’d tell you if I were not under obligation; but I’m not at liberty yet to say.” His glance left the other’s face. “I trust you understand.”

“Yes, certainly.” The voice was short. “No offence, I’m sure.”

That there was offence was obvious, yet Roberts made no further comment or explanation.

For perhaps a minute there was silence; in characteristic change of thought absolute Armstrong shifted.

“As long as we’re in the confidant business,” he digressed, “there’s still one question I’d like to ask, Darley. Elice and I have been intimate now for a number of years. I’ve asked you repeatedly to call with me and you’ve always refused. Even yet you’ve barely met her. I quote you by the yard when I’m with her, and, frankly, she’s—curious why you stay at arm’s length. Between yourself and myself why is it, Darley?”

Roberts laughed; an instant later the light left his face.

“You know I have few women acquaintances,” he said.

“I know, but this particular case is different.”

“And those I do have,” completed the other, “are all securely married.” 32

Armstrong colored.

“I don’t mean that,” smiled Roberts, “and you know I don’t. I’m not fool enough to fancy I’m a charmer. The explanation, I believe, is in my ancestry. I think they must have been fishes too, and instinct warns me to avoid bait. It’s my own peace of mind I’m considering and preserving, friend Armstrong.”

“Peace of mind!” the other laughed. “From you that’s good, Darley. But the tape line—”

“Can’t you find it?”

“I confess—You think there is a time then, after all, when it pays?”

“Do you fancy I show signs of feeble-mindedness?”

“No, emphatically not; but—Jove, you are human then after all! I begin to have hope.”

Roberts stifled a yawn, a real yawn.

“I think I’ll turn in,” he said.

“Just a moment, Darley. I feel as though I’d discovered a gold mine, and I want to blaze its location before departing. Just when, with your philosophy, do you contemplate taking this important leap among the attached?”

Roberts looked at his companion in silence.

“Pardon me, Darley,” swiftly, “that was flippant, I admit, but I’m really serious.” 33

“Serious? I’ll take you at your word. It’ll be when I mean business, not pastime. Stretch the tape if you wish. There are some things it doesn’t pay to play with. It’ll be when I can give a woman the things, the material things, she wants and demands to make her happy and contented. The world is artificial, and material things are its reflection. When I can make the woman who chooses to marry me pass current anywhere, when I can be the means of giving her more pleasure, more opportunity, more of the good things of life than she has known before, then, when I know, not hope, this,—and not a minute before—Does that answer your question?”

“Yes; that’s clear enough, I’m sure—the implication, too, for that matter.” The speaker yawned, unnecessarily it seemed, for his look was keen. “By the way, though, you haven’t given me a satisfactory explanation for avoiding Elice. She’s attached practically, not unattached; and I personally want you to know her. I think it would make you understand some things you don’t understand now. You might even approve of—dangling. What do you say, will you go out with me some evening or will you have another engagement as usual? I shan’t suggest it again, Darley.” 34

Standing, as he had risen a moment before, Darley Roberts looked down at the speaker steadily, the distinctive half-smile of tolerant analysis upon his lips. He laughed outright as though to clear the atmosphere.

“Certainly I’ll go, Armstrong, if you wish. It never occurred to me before that you took it that way. I had supposed that you and Elice were an example of two being a company and three making a crowd; also, to change the simile, that previously your invitations were the proverbial crumbs of charity. I’ll be pleased to go any time you wish.”

“All right.” Armstrong too had risen. “How about Sunday evening next week? Elice will be back Saturday.”

“A week from Sunday; I shall not forget.”

With the attitude of a big healthy animal, a bit sleepy now, Roberts stretched himself luxuriously, then started for his own room adjoining, calling back, “Good-night.”

Armstrong watched him in silence until the other’s hand was on the knob.

“Good-night,” he echoed absently.