"That's rude, I suppose," said Desire, suddenly swinging round (a
feat which brought Spence's heart into his mouth). "I don't seem to
acquire the social graces very rapidly, do I?"

"I thought," the professor's tone was somewhat stiff, "that we came
up here for the express purpose of talking."

"Y-es. You did express some such purpose. But--must we? It won't do
any good, you know."

"I don't know. And it will do good. One can't get anywhere without
proper discussion."

The girl sighed. "Very well--let's discuss. You begin."

"My month," said Spence firmly, "is almost up. I shall have to move
along on Friday."

"On Friday?" If he had intended to startle her, he had certainly
succeeded. "Was--was the arrangement only for a month?" she asked in
a lowered voice.

"The arrangement was to continue for as long as I wished. But only
one month's payment was made in advance. With Friday, Dr. Farr's
obligation toward me ends. He is not likely to extend it."

She sat so still that he forgot how slippery the moss was and
thought only of the growing shadow on her face.