"I'm afraid of a man who's going to be a great city lawyer. And then--oh,
listen!"

Hurried, ostentatiously heavy footsteps sounded in the hall. They stopped
at the door, and some one fumbled noisily at the knob. There was a stage
cough, and Kitty plunged into the room, carefully unnoticing.

"Such an idea for--a hippopotamus comic," she panted; "a darling! Sent
drawings down--messenger--rushed back to sketch--"

Here she paused to take breath.

"--lest I forget."

Snatching off her gloves she resumed her place at the big table, and began
making wild strokes with a crayon on a great sheet of cardboard.

"I just _had_ to do it," said she apologetically over her shoulder;
"but--don't mind me."



CHAPTER III.


THE HORNETS' NEST.

It was dusk when I left Helen. My head was buzzing.