. Go into the study."
Larry looked at her in astonishment. This was indeed a new Jane to him.
Wrathful, imperious, she stood waving him toward the study door. In
spite of his irritation he was conscious of a new admiration for her.
Feeling a little like a boy about to receive his punishment, he passed
into the study.

"Didn't Mrs. Allen give you my message?" he said.

"Your message, Larry?" cried Jane, a light breaking upon her face. "Did
you leave a message for me?"

"I did. I told Mrs. Allen to tell you where I had gone--Helen was so
anxious to go--and that I would be right back." Larry's voice was full
of reproach.

"Oh, Larry, I am so glad," said Jane, her tone indicating the greatness
of her relief. "I knew it was all right--that something had prevented. I
am so glad you came in. You must have thought me queer."

"No," said Larry, appeased, "I knew all the time there must be some
explanation, only I was feeling so miserable."

"And I was miserable, too, Larry," she said gently. "It seemed a pity
that this should happen on our last night." All her wrath was gone.
She was once more the Jane that Larry had always known, gentle, sweet,
straightforward, and on her face the old transfiguring smile. Before
this change of mood all his irritation vanished. Humbled, penitent, and
with a rush of warm affection filling his heart, he said,

"I should have known you were not to blame, but you are always right.
Never once in all these years have you failed me. You always understand
a fellow. Do you know I am wondering how I shall ever do without you?
Have you thought, Jane, that to-morrow this old life of ours together
will end?"

"Yes, Larry." Her voice was low, almost a whisper, and in her eyes an
eager light shone.

"It just breaks my heart, Jane. We have been--we are such good friends.
If we had only fallen in love with each other.--But that would have
spoiled it all. We are not like other people; we have been such chums,
Jane."

"Yes, Larry," she said again, but the eager light had faded from her
eyes.

"Let's sit a bit, Larry," she said. "I am tired, and you are tired,
too," she added quickly, "after your hard day."

For a little time they sat in silence together, both shrinking from the
parting that they knew was so near. Larry gazed at her, wondering to
himself that he had ever thought her plain. Tonight she seemed beautiful
and very dear to him. Next to his mother, was her place in his heart.
Was this th