the place on the step just vacated by Joe. "You'd better cool off out
here. The house is like an oven. I think I should have warned you of that
before you took the room. These little houses with low roofs are fearfully
hot."

The new roomer hesitated. The steps were very low, and he was tall.
Besides, he did not care to establish any relations with the people in the
house. Long evenings in which to read, quiet nights in which to sleep and
forget--these were the things he had come for.

But Sidney had moved over and was smiling up at him. He folded up
awkwardly on the low step. He seemed much too big for the house. Sidney
had a panicky thought of the little room upstairs.

"I don't mind heat. I--I suppose I don't think about it," said the roomer,
rather surprised at himself.

Reginald, having finished his chestnut, squeaked for another. The roomer
started.

"Just Reginald--my ground-squirrel." Sidney was skinning a nut with her
strong white teeth. "That's another thing I should have told you. I'm
afraid you'll be sorry you took the room."

The roomer smiled in the shadow.

"I'm beginning to think that YOU are sorry."

She was all anxiety to reassure him:--