thought. Then her day might come, and all that you have put out
piecemeal will return at once. Yes, she may appear, and take you, and
possess you, and lead you----"

"She? Why she? and where?"

"To the devil, I imagine," answered Mary composedly, "and as you are
a man one can guess the guide's sex. It's getting dark, let us go
out. This is such a creepy place in the dark that it actually makes
me understand what people mean by nerves. And, Morris, of course
you understand that I have only been talking rubbish. I always liked
inventing fairy tales; you taught me; only this one is too grown
up--disagreeable. What I really mean is that I do think it might be a
good thing if you wouldn't live quite so much alone, and would go out
a bit more. You are getting quite an odd look on your face; you are
indeed, not like other men at all. I believe that it comes from your
worrying about this wretched invention until you are half crazy over the
thing. Any change there?"

He shook his head. "No, I can't find the right alloy--not one that can
be relied upon. I begin to doubt whether it exists."

"Why don't you give it up--for a while at any rate?"

"I have. I made a novel kind of electrical hand-saw this spring, and
sold the patent for 100 pounds and a royalty. There's commercial success
for you, and now I am at work on a new lamp of which I have the idea."

"I am uncommonly glad to hear it," said Mary with energy. "And, I say,
Morris, you are not offended at my silly parables, are you? You know