nt major chords.

"What a disgustingly sentimental thing that is!" he said sharply. "After
our summer at Monomoy in the sea air, we need an atmosphere of ozone,
not of laughing gas."

And he played the prelude of _Die Beiden Grenadieren_.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Arlt dropped in at Thayer's rooms, the next afternoon, and sat looking
on while his friend put himself into his evening clothes, preparatory to
dining with Miss Gannion.

"I walked up here with Mr. Dane," he observed, after a thoughtful
interval. "What an American he is!"

"American?"

"Yes. No other country but yours can produce such people. France tries
it, and fails. A Frenchman takes his frivolity in earnest. Mr. Dane is
like that little _Scherzo_ by Faulkes, the one that frisks on and on,
and all of a sudden comes to an end with a loud _Ha ha_ over its own
absurdity. Mr. Dane delights in his own talk, just as you delight in
your singing."

"He is not self-conscious," Thayer objected quickly.

"Neither are you. Each of you has a gift, and you each delight in using
it. That is not saying that you either of you regard it as the only gift
in the world. Instead, having it, you make the most of it, to let it
grow and to put it in the way of giving pleasure to other people."

Thayer smiled, in spite of himself.

"To paraphrase you, Arlt, what a German you are! Nobody else would
attempt to philosophize concerning Bobby Dane."

"Why not? He is worth it, for he has other gifts than his wit."

"Did he say anything about Lorimer?" Thayer asked abruptly.

"He spoke of him once or twice."

"Anything especial?"

"N-o."

There had been a slight hesitation. The next instant, Arlt felt Thayer's
keen eyes upon him.

"Is anything wrong with Lorimer?"

"What should there be?"

"Nothing should be. I asked if anything is."

"Mr. Dane would hardly discuss his friends with me." Arlt's tone was
noncommittal.

"Now, see here, Arlt, don't get obstinate. We both know Lorimer's
failing. Have you heard anything new about him?"

Arlt stared hard at the carpet.

"Mr. Lorimer was very good to the mother and Katarina," he said, in his
slow, deliberate English.

"That may be. Mr. Lorimer has been good to a great many people, and we
aren't going to forget it. That doesn't keep us from knowing his
weakness."

"No," Arlt said simply; "but it might keep us from discussing it."

Thayer's lips shut closely for an instant. He felt a rebuke which Arlt
would neve