Garrison's profile. "Will I, soothsayer?"

He nodded comprehensively, bitterly.

"You will. One of the equations of the problem will be eliminated, and
thus will be found the answer."

"Which?" she asked softly, heel tapping gravel.

"The unnecessary one, of course. Isn't it always the unnecessary one?"

"You mean," she said slowly, "that you will go away?"

Garrison nodded.

"Of course," she added, after a pause, "the dark, clinging girl is
waiting?"

"Of course," he bantered.

"It must be nice to be loved like that." Her eyes were wide and far
away. "To have one renounce relatives, position, wealth--all, for love.
It must be very nice, indeed."

Still, Garrison was silent. He had cause to be.

"Do you think it is right, fair," continued the girl slowly, her brow
wrinkled speculatively, "to break your uncle's and aunt's hearts for the
sake of a girl? You know how they have longed for your home-coming. How
much you mean to them! You are all they have. Don't you think you are