"I'll write you all the town gossip."

"If you do--!" he threatened her. "You're to write me what you're
doing, and all about yourself. Remember, I'll be counting on you."

And, if their voices were light, there was in both of them the sense
of a pact made, of a bond that was to hold them, like clasped hands,
against their coming separation. It was rather anti-climacteric
after that to have him acknowledge that he didn't know exactly when
he could get away!

She went with him to the door and stood there, her soft hair blowing,
as he got into the car. When he looked back, as he turned the corner,
she was still there. He felt very happy affable, and he picked up
an elderly village woman with her and went considerably out of his
way to take her home.

He got back to the office at half past six to find a red-eyed
Minnie in the hall.




X

AT half past five that afternoon David had let himself into the
house with his latch key, hung up his overcoat on the old walnut
hat rack, and went into his office. The strain of the days before
had told on him, and he felt weary and not entirely well. He had