"Yes. I should like to know." Miss De Voe still smiled.

"I haven't dined."

"Mr. Stirling! You are joking?" Miss De Voe's smile had ended, and she
was sitting up very straight in her chair. Women will do without eating
for an indefinite period, and think nothing of it, but the thought of a
hungry man fills them with horror--unless they have the wherewithal to
mitigate the consequent appetite. Hunger with woman, as regards herself,
is "a theory." As regards a man it is "a condition."

"No," said Peter.

Miss De Voe touched the bell again, but quickly as Morden answered it,
Peter was already speaking.

"You are not to trouble yourself on my account, Miss De Voe. I wish for
nothing."

"You must have--"

Peter was rude enough to interrupt with the word "Nothing."

"But I shall not have a moment's pleasure in your call if I think of you
as--"

Peter interrupted again. "If that is so," he said, rising, "I had better
go."