appeared. They were looking for him, he knew; and for the moment he
could have cursed that in him which drew women. Their casual edging
across the sidewalk to the curb, as they drew near, apprised him of
discovery. They slowed down, and were in the thick of the crown as they
came up with him. One of them brushed against him and apparently for the
first time noticed him. She was a slender, dark girl, with black,
defiant eyes. But they smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"Hello," he said.

It was automatic; he had said it so often before under similar
circumstances of first meetings. Besides, he could do no less. There
was that large tolerance and sympathy in his nature that would permit him
to do no less. The black-eyed girl smiled gratification and greeting,
and showed signs of stopping, while her companion, arm linked in arm,
giggled and likewise showed signs of halting. He thought quickly. It
would never do for Her to come out and see him talking there with them.
Quite naturally, as a matter of course, he swung in along-side the dark-
eyed one and walked with her. There was no awkwardness on his part, no
numb tongue. He was at home here, and he held his own royally in the
badinage, bristling with slang and sharpness, that was always the
preliminary to getting acquainted in these swift-moving affairs. At the
corner where the main stream of people flowed onward, he started to edge
out into the cross street. But the girl with the black eyes caught his
arm, following him and dragging her companion after her, as she cried:

"Hold on, Bill! What's yer rush? You're not goin' to shake us so sudden
as all that?"

He halted with a laugh, and turned, facing them. Across their shoulders