You don't have to know every blessed thing that I do, do you?"
demanded Dan Dalzell, in an almost offended tone.

"No; and I have no right to know anything that you don't tell me
willingly. Are you ready to give me any explanation of tonight's
foolishness?

"Seeing that you kept awake for me, and were on hand to let me in,
I suppose I'll have to," grumbled Dan.

"Well, then?

"Dave, for the first time tonight, I struck my flag."

"Struck to whom?"

"Oh---a girl, of course," grunted Dan.

"You? A girl?" repeated Dave in amazement.

"Yes; is it any crime for me to get acquainted with a girl, and
to call on her at her home?"

"Certainly not. But, Dan, I didn't believe that you ever felt
a single flutter of the pulse when girls were around. I thought
you were going to grow up into a cheerful, happy old bachelor."

"So did I," sighed Dan.