of greys. Will
you?"

"Pretty I'd look perched behind greys in my one and only hat," thought
she. Aloud: "I'd love to." Her easy acceptance pleased him.

"How about to-morrow?" he suggested. "Suppose you have lunch with me
to-morrow and I take you driving."

After all--this was just a game. "Yes, I'm not busy to-morrow," she
said.

A little pause--then the strange man patted his leg. "Why don't you come
and sit down?" he said.

She pretended not to see and swung on to the table. "Oh, I'm all right
here."

"No, you're not"--again the teasing voice. "Come and sit on my knee."

"Oh no," said Viola very heartily, suddenly busy with her hair.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to."

"Oh, come along"--impatiently.

She shook her head from side to side. "I wouldn't dream of such a
thing."

At that he got up and came over to her. "Funny little puss cat!" He put
up one hand to touch her hair.

"Don't," she said--and slipped off the table. "I--I think it's time you
went now." She was quite frightened now--thinking only: "This man must
be got rid of as quickly as possible."

"Oh, but you don't want me to go?"

"Yes, I do--I'm very busy."

"Busy. What does the pussy cat do all day?"

"Lots and lots of things!" She wanted to push him out of the room and
slam the door on him--idiot--fool--cruel disappointment.

"What's she frowning for?" he asked. "Is she worried about anything?"
Suddenly serious: "I say--you know, are you in any financial difficulty?
Do you want money? I'll give it to you if you like!"

"Money! Steady on the brake--don't lose your head!"--so she spoke to
herself.

"I'll give you two hundred marks if you'll kiss me."

"Oh, boo! What a condition! And I don't want to kiss you--I don't like
kissing. Please go!"

"Yes--you do!--yes, you do." He caught hold of her arms above the
elbows. She struggled, and was quite amazed to realise how angry she
felt.

"Let me go--immediately!" she cried--and he slipped one arm round her
body, and drew her towards him--like a bar of iron across her back--that
arm.

"Leave me alone! I tell you. Don't be mean! I didn't want this to happen
when you came into my room. How dare you?"

"Well, kiss me and I'll go!"

It was too idiotic--dodging that stupid, smiling face.

"I won't kiss you!--you brute!--I won't!" Somehow she slipped out of his
arms and ran to the wall--stood back against it--breathing quickly.

"Get out!" she stammered. "Go on now, clear out!"