"My uncle," resumed Patty, turning with her wonted sprightliness to
another subject, "always goes out for an hour or two in the middle
of the day to play billiards. I can tell by his face when he comes
back whether he's lost or won; he does so take it to heart, silly
man! Do _you_ play billiards?"

The other shook his head.

"I thought not. You have a serious look."

Hilliard did not relish this compliment. He imagined he had cast
away his gloom; he desired to look like the men who take life with
easy courage. As he gazed through the glass door into the street, a
figure suddenly blocked his prospect, and a face looked in. Then the
door opened, and there entered a young man of clerkly appearance,
who glanced from Miss Ringrose to her companion with an air of
severity. Patty had reddened a little.

"What are _you_ doing here at this time of day?" she asked
familiarly.

"Oh--business--had to look up a man over here. Thought I'd speak
a word as I passed."

Hilliard drew aside.

"Who has opened this new shop opposite?" added the young man,
beckoning from the doorway.