"No," cried Miss De Voe. "Oh, won't you please? It's no trouble. I'll
not order much."

"Nothing, thank you," said Peter.

"Just a chop or--"

Peter held out his hand.

"No, no. Sit down. Of course you are to do as you please. But I should
be so happy if--?" and Miss De Voe looked at Peter appealingly.

"No. Thank you."

"Nothing, Morden." They sat down again. "Why didn't you dine?" asked
Miss De Voe.

"I didn't care to face the storm."

"Yet you came out?"

"Yes. I got blue, and thought it foolish to stay indoors by myself."

"I'm very glad you came here. It's a great compliment to find an evening
with me put above dinner. You know I had the feeling that you didn't
like me."

"I'm sorry for that. It's not so."

"If not, why did you insist on my twice asking you to call on me?"