``I know you are, Otto,'' she replied with tears in her eyes.
``You are indeed my friend. I've counted on you ever since
you--ever since that Sunday.''

``Then you won't think wrong of me if I ask you a question?
You'll know I wouldn't, if I didn't have a good reason, even
though I can't explain?''

``Yes--what is it?''

``Hilda, is--is Mr. Feuerstein coming back?''

Hilda flushed. ``Yes, Otto,'' she said. ``I haven't spoken to
any one about it, but I can trust you. He's had trouble and it
has called him away. But he told me he'd come back.'' She
looked at him appealingly. ``You know that I love him, Otto.
Some day you will like him, will see what a noble man he is.''

``When is he coming back?''

``I didn't ask him. I knew he'd come as soon as he could. I
wouldn't pry into his affairs.''

``Then you don't know why he went or when he's coming?''

``I trust him, just as you'll want a girl to trust you some day
when you love her.''

As soon as he could leave her, he went up town, straight to the
German Theater. In the box-office sat a young man with hair