"Oh, nothing, only he hasn't been here since you got back."

"How did you come to know him?"

"Didn't I take up his name a dozen times in the last month?"

"Get out," said the drummer, lightly. "He hasn't called more
than half a dozen times since we've been here."

"He hasn't, eh?" said the girl, smiling. "That's all you know
about it."

Drouet took on a slightly more serious tone. He was uncertain as
to whether she was joking or not.

"Tease," he said, "what makes you smile that way?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Have you seen him recently?"

"Not since you came back," she laughed.

"Before?"

"Certainly."

"How often?"