imposed a certain restraint upon her, and even when he rose from
the table at length with the air of a man about to face the
inevitable, she did not feel it to be wholly removed.

She got up also and watched him fill his pipe with something of her
former embarrassment. She expected him to light it when he had
finished, but he did not. He put it in his pocket, and somewhat
abruptedly turned to her.

"Now!" he said.

She met his look with a brave face. She even smiled--a gallant,
little smile to which he made no response. "Well, now," she said,
"I want you to tell me the quickest way to get to Guy."

He faced her squarely. "I've got to tell you something about him
first," he said.

"Yes?" Her heart was beating very quickly, but she had herself well
in hand. "What is it?"

But he stood mutely considering her. It was as if the power of
speech had suddenly gone from him.

"What is it?" she said again. "Won't you tell me?"

He made a curious gesture. It was almost a movement of flinching.
"You're so young," he said.

"Oh, but I'm not--I'm not!" she assured him. "It's only my face.