"Never travel in the same train with him? Why not?"

"Because if there were a railway accident, and you were both killed on
the spot, the world might draw comparisons between the effect on your
family and the effect on his, and your family wouldn't like it."

We remained silent for a space, and the silence was dramatic.
Nervously, I looked out of the window.

At length Alpha said:

"I suppose there is such a thing as the happy medium."

"Good-bye, Alpha." I rose abruptly. "Sorry, but I've got to go at
once."

And I judiciously departed.




IV - IN HER PLACE



I


The plain man is not always mature and successful, as I have hitherto