away from here," he
told himself savagely.

And having taken the first step toward flight, as happens in such cases,
he was suddenly panicky with fear, fear that he would get out of hand,
and take her in his arms, whether or no; a temptation to run from
temptation, to cut everything and go with Joe that night. But there
his sense of humor saved him. That would be a sight for the gods, two
defeated lovers flying together under the soft September moon.

Some one entered the room. He thought it was Sidney and turned with the
light in his eyes that was only for her. It was Carlotta.

She was not in uniform. She wore a dark skirt and white waist and her
high heels tapped as she crossed the room. She came directly to him.

"He is better, isn't he?"

"He is rallying. Of course it will be a day or two before we are quite
sure."

She stood looking down at Wilson's quiet figure.

"I guess you know I've been crazy about him," she said quietly. "Well,
that's all over. He never really cared for me. I played his game and
I--lost. I've been expelled from the school."

Quite suddenly she dropped on her knees beside the bed, and put her
cheek close to the sleeping man's hand. When after a moment she rose,
she was controlled again, calm, very white.

"Will you tell him, Dr. Edwardes, when he is conscious, that I came in
and said good-bye?"

"I will, of course. Do you want to leave any other message?"

She hesitated, as if the thought tempted her. Then she shrugged her
shoulders.

"What would be the use? He doesn't want any message from me."

She turned toward the door. But K. could not let her go like that. Her
face frightened him. It was too calm, too controlled. He followed her
across the room.

"What are your plans?"

"I haven't any. I'm about through with my training, but I've lost my
diploma."

"I don't like to see you going away like this."

She avoided his eyes, but his kindly tone did what neither the Head nor
the Executive Committee had done that day. It shook her control.

"What does it matter to you? You don't owe me anything."

"Perhaps not. One way and another I've known you a long time."

"You never knew anything very good."

"I'll tell you where I live, and--"

"I know where you live."

"Will you come to see me there? We may be able to think of something."

"What is there to think of? This story will follow me wherever I go!
I've tried twice for a diploma and failed. What's the use?"

But i