shouted out there was no wood left. I just saw her go out
to buy some."

"Story--story!" she longed to cry. He came quite close to her, stood
over her and whispered:

"Aren't you going to ask me to finish my cigarette in your room?"

She nodded. "You may if you want to!"

In that moment together in the passage a miracle had happened. Her room
was quite changed--it was full of sweet light and the scent of hyacinth
flowers. Even the furniture appeared different--exciting. Quick as a
flash she remembered childish parties when they had played charades, and
one side had left the room and come in again to act a word--just what
she was doing now. The strange man went over to the stove and sat down
in her arm-chair. She did not want him to talk or come near her--it was
enough to see him in the room, so secure and happy. How hungry she had
been for the nearness of someone like that--who knew nothing at all
about her--and made no demands--but just lived. Viola ran over to the
table and put her arms round the jar of hyacinths.

"Beautiful! Beautiful!" she cried--burying her head in the flowers--and
sniffing greedily at the scent. Over the leaves she looked at the man
and laughed.

"You are a funny little thing," said he lazily.

"Why? Because I love flowers?"

"I'd far rather you loved other things," said the strange man slowly.
She broke off a little pink petal and smiled at it.

"Let me send you some flowers," said the strange man. "I'll send you a
roomful if you'd like them."

His voice frightened her slightly. "Oh no, thanks--this one is quite
enough for me."

"No, it isn't"--in a teasing voice.

"What a stupid remark!" thought Viola, and looking at him again he did
not seem quite so jolly. She noticed that his eyes were set too closely
together--and they were too small. Horrible thought, that he should
prove stupid.

"What do you do all day?" she asked hastily.

"Nothing."

"Nothing at all?"

"Why should I do anything?"

"Oh, don't imagine for one moment that I condemn such wisdom--only it
sounds too good to be true!"

"What's that?"--he craned forward. "What sounds too good to be true?"
Yes--there was no denying it--he looked silly.

"I suppose the searching after Fraulein Schafer doesn't occupy all your
days."

"Oh no"--he smiled broadly--"that's very good! By Jove! no. I drive a
good bit--are you keen on horses?"

She nodded. "Love them."

"You must come driving with me--I've got a fine pair