asking silly questions. I'll tell you as much as it's good for you to
know all in good time. I came mainly because I wanted to. And that's the
reason why I'm going to stay. See?"

She reached up an audacious finger and smoothed the faint frown from his
forehead with her sunny, provocative smile.

"It'll have to be a joint management," she said. "There are so many
things you mustn't do. Now, darling, I've finished the brandy to please
you. So suppose you look out your prettiest suit of pyjamas, and I'll
try and get into them." She broke into a giddy little laugh. "What would
Mrs. Paget say? Can't you see her face? I can!"

She stopped suddenly, struck dumb by a terrible blast of wind that shook
the bungalow to its foundations.

"Just hark to the wind and the rain, Billikins!" she whispered, as it
swirled on. "Did you ever hear anything so awful? It's as if--as if God
were very furious--about something. Do you think He is, dear? Do you?"
She pressed close to him with white, pleading face upraised. "Do you
believe in God, Billikins? Honestly now!"

The man hesitated, holding her fast in his arms, seeing only the
quivering, childish mouth and beseeching eyes.

"You don't, do you?" she said. "I don't myself, Billikins. I think He's
just a myth. Or anyhow--if He's there at all--He doesn't bother about
the people who were born on the wrong side of the safety-curtain. There,
darling! Kiss me once more--I love your kisses--I love them! And now go!
Yes--yes, you must go--just while I make myself respectable. Yes, but