twelve, and we're both losing our much needed beauty sleep. I must
really tear myself away." She put her arm around Alice and kissed
her. "The same dear little wise, responsible Alice who would like to
put the earth into woolens with a mustard plaster on its chest. But
it takes all sorts to make up a world, you know, and it would be
rather drab without a few butterflies. Don't throw bricks at me
until I've fluttered a bit more, Ally. My colors won't last long,
and I know what old age means, better than most. If I were in love
as you are, my man's rules would be the ones I'd go by all the time;
but I'm not in love, and I don't want to be--yet; and I'm only a
kid, and I think I have the right to my fling. This marriage of mine
is just a part of the adventure that Martin and I plunged into as a
great joke, and he knows it and he's one of the best, and I'm
grateful to him, believe me. Good night. God bless you!"

She stood for a moment on the top step to taste the air that was
filled with the essence of youth. Across a sky as clear as crystal a
series of young clouds were chasing each other, putting out the
stars for a moment as they scurried playfully along. It was a joy to
be alive and fit and careless. Summer was lying in wait for spring,
and autumn would lay a withering hand upon summer, and winter with
its crooked limbs and lack-luster eyes was waiting its inevitable
turn.

"A short life and a merry one!" whispered Joan to the moon, throwing
it a kiss.

A footman, sullen for want of sleep, opened the door of the
limousine. Some one was sitting in the corner with his arms crossed
over his chest.