``Why do you ask?'' he said.

``You must answer me directly!''

``No, Mildred; my violin is different
from any other I have ever seen,'' this
hesitatingly and with great effort at
composure.

``In what way is it different?'' she
almost demanded.

``It is peculiarly constructed; it has
an extra string. But why this sudden
interest in the violin? Let us talk of
you, of me, of both, of our future,'' said
he with enforced cheerfulness.

``No, we will talk of the violin. Of
what use is the extra string?''

``None whatever,'' was the quick reply.

``Then why not cut it off?''

``No, no, Mildred; you do not
understand,'' he cried; ``I can not do
that.''

``You can not do it when I ask it?''