another,--to----"

"Yes, but I like to talk about it,"
interposed Freeman, earnestly. "I haven't had
a chance to open my heart, you know, for at
least six months. And though you and I
haven't known each other long, I believe
you to be capable of appreciating what a
man feels when he is on his way to meet
some one who----"

"Thank you! You are most considerate!
But I shall be additionally obliged if you
would tell me in what respect I can have so
far forgotten myself as to lead you to think
me likely to appreciate anything of the
kind. I assure you, Mr. Freeman, I have
never cared for any one; and nothing I
have seen since I left home makes it probable
that I shall begin now."

"I am sorry to hear that," said Freeman,
slowly drawing another cigarette out of his
bundle, and beginning to re-roll it with a
dejected air.

"Indeed!"

"Yes: the fact is, I had hoped that you
had begun to have a little friendly feeling