irst met him--Mr. Geoffrey?" she enquired
suddenly, still busied with the rebellious curl. Spike started, and
glanced uneasily at her shapely back.

"Say, Hermy," said he, a little huskily, "have you got anything for
supper?"

"Not much, dear, I'm afraid."

"That's a pity!"

"Why?"

"Oh, because I asked him in to supper."

"You asked Mr. Geoffrey--here?" she gasped.

"Surest thing you know. Y' see, I thought you was staying over at
Englewood."

"Oh, Arthur!" she sighed. "And there are only two wretched little chops!
And not a bit of butter! And the rent's due to-morrow--I can't spare a
cent--and me in this shabby old gown! and you broke the best teapot."

"Sounds kind of gay an' festive!" sighed Spike ruefully. "But don't
worry about the eats, dear. Geoff won't mind, an' he'll never notice
your old gown--"

"He seems to notice a great deal," said Hermione doubtfully as she
hastily untied the big apron, "and besides--oh, gracious goodness!"
she cried, as a knock sounded at the front door, "you must let him in,
Arthur--and don't let him know I'm changing my gown!" Saying which, she
vanished into her bedroom while Spike hastened to the door.

"Why--hello, Tony!" he exclaimed, "what's wrong now?"

"My lil Pietro," cried the Italian excitedly, "he no sleep--he burn-a
burn-a all-a da time,--all-a da time cry! You tell-a you sis--she come-a
like-a da las' time den he no cry-a--" But here Tony broke off to
flourish his hat and bow gracefully as he caught sight of Hermione
herself. "Ah, Signorina!" he cried, "my lil Pietro he seeck. You
please-a come see my lil Pietro? He flush-a he cry--he all-a da fire! he
burn-a, burn-a, like-a da fire! You so good, so generosa--you come see
my lil Pietro?"

"Why, of course I will!" said Hermione in her calm, soft voice, "poor
little mite--is he feverish?"

"Si, si Signorina!" answered the anxious young father, "he burn-a,
burn-a all-a da time!"

"Reach me the aconite, boy dear; yes, that's it."

"But what about supper, Hermy?" queried Spike wistfully.

"Oh, well--finish laying the table; I'll be back as soon as ever I can,
dear."

"Oh, Gee!" sighed Spike, as their footsteps died away down the stair,
"she sure is keen on knowing how I met Geoff! And if she ever finds
out--" Spike cowered down into a chair and clasping his head between his
hands sat thus a long while, staring moodily at the floor, striving for
a way out of the difficulty. He was yet wrestling with this