"I didn't think the fellow was half as drunk as frozen," Peter
concluded, "and I told the policeman it was a case for an ambulance
rather than a station-house. He didn't agree, so I had to go with them
both to the precinct and speak to the superintendent."

"That was before your dinner?" asked Miss De Voe, calmly.

It was a very easily answered question, apparently, but Peter was silent
again.

"It was coming up here," he said finally.

"What is he trying to keep back?" asked Miss De Voe mentally. "I suppose
some of the down-town places are not quite--but he wouldn't--" then she
said out loud: "I wonder if you men do as women do, when they dine
alone? Just live on slops. Now, what did you order to-night? Were you an
ascetic or a sybarite?"

"Usually," said Peter, "I eat a very simple dinner."

"And to-night?"

"Why do you want to know about to-day?"

"Because I wish to learn where you dined, and thought I could form some
conclusion from your menu." Miss De Voe laughed, so as to make it appear
a joke, but she knew very well that she was misbehaving.

"I didn't reply to your question," said Peter, "because I would have
preferred not. But if you really wish to know, I'll answer it."