"Nina coming down?" he asked.

"I suppose so. Why?"

"You couldn't pass the word along that you are going to be engaged
for the next half hour?"

"I might, but I certainly don't intend to."

"You are as hard to isolate as a--as a germ," he complained. "I
gave up a perfectly good golf game to see you, and as your father
generally calls the dog the moment I appear and goes for a walk, I
thought I might see you alone."

"You're seeing me alone now, you know."

Suddenly he leaned over and catching up her hand, kissed it.

"You're so cool and sweet," he said. "I--I wish you liked me a
little." He smiled up at her, rather wistfully. "I never knew any
one quite like you."

She drew her hand away. Something Nina had said, that he knew his
way about, came into her mind, and made her uncomfortable. Back of
him, suddenly, was that strange and mysterious region where men of
his sort lived their furtive man-life, where they knew their way
about. She had no curiosity and no interest, but the mere fact of
its existence as revealed by Nina repelled her.

"There are plenty like me," she said. "Don't be silly, Wallie. I