"Cherry's going in to the dentist to-morrow," said Alix.

"Oh, so I am!" Cherry said, in a rather strained voice.

She did not look at Peter, nor did he at her, but they felt each
other's thoughts like a spoken word.

"Had you forgotten?" Alix asked. "I may go with you," she added,
carelessly.

"Oh, do come!" Cherry said, eagerly. "I--I hate so going alone!"

"I've not a thing in the world to do in town, but I'll browse
along those old book stores in Third Street," Alix mused.

But in the morning she had changed her mind. She was a trifle late
to breakfast, and Cherry and Peter had a chance minute or two
alone.

"Cherry," he said then, "I'm going to lunch at the St. Francis.
Will you meet me there?"

"No, I can't!" Cherry whispered, unhappily.

"Well, I'll be there," Peter said, in a dull, steady voice. They
did not look at each other as Cherry began, with trembling white
ringers, to strip the black fine skin from a fig.

A moment later Alix joined them. She had come in from her ducks,