cranium since that night of the carnival ball. I never saw him so crazy
about a girl as he is about you."

"Yes, he is!" scoffed Nance, derisively, but she let Monte run on at
length, painting in burning terms the devastating extent of Mac's
passion, his despair at losing her, his delight at finding her again, and
his impatience for an interview.

When Monte finished she looked at him sidewise out of her
half-closed eyes.

"Tell him I've gone on a visit to my rich aunt out to the sea-shore
in Kansas."

"Give him another show," coaxed Monte. "We were all a bit lit up that
night at the ball."

"No, we weren't either!" Nance flashed. "I hadn't had a thing, but one
glass of beer, and you know it! I hate your old fizz-water!"

"Well, make it up with Mac. He's going back to college next month, and
he's wild to see you."

"Tell him I haven't got time. Tell him I'm studying instrumental."

Nance was fencing for time. Her cool, keen indifference gave little
indication of the turmoil that was going on within. If she could manage
to see Mac without letting him know where she lived, without Dan's
finding it out--