conversation that Billy turned to her companion
with a demure:

``I telephoned Aunt Hannah, Mr. Arkwright.
I thought she ought to be--warned.''

``You are very kind. What did she say?--if
I may ask.''

There was a brief moment of hesitation before
Billy answered.

``She said you called yourself `Mary Jane,'
and that you hadn't any business to be a big man
with a brown beard.''

Arkwright laughed.

``I'm afraid I owe Aunt Hannah an apology,''
he said. He hesitated, glanced admiringly at the
glowing, half-averted face near him, then went
on decisively. He wore the air of a man who has
set the match to his bridges. ``I signed both
letters `M. J. Arkwright,' but in the first one
I quoted a remark of a friend, and in that remark
I was addressed as `Mary Jane.' I did not know
but Aunt Hannah knew of the nickname.''
(Arkwright was speaking a little slowly now, as if
weighing his words.) ``But when she answered,
I saw that she did not; for, from something she