a certain amount
of leave to occupy as we each see fit. And, unfortunately, there's only
one thing which seems fit to either of us. And, equally unfortunately,
it's something we can't hold hands and do at the same time. Shall I go
straight from the station to Mrs. Brackett's and wait until you've had
your say, Peter?--not that I want to wait very long," he added.

"That wouldn't be at all fair," said Peter.

"Do you mind," said Aladdin after a pause, "telling me about what your
chances are?"

Peter reddened uncomfortably.

"I'm afraid they're not very good, 'Laddin," he said. "She--she said
she wasn't sure. And that's a good deal more apt to mean nothing than
everything, but I can't straighten my life out till I'm sure."

"My chances," said Aladdin, critically, "shouldn't by rights be anywhere
near as good as yours, but as long as they remain chances I feel just
the same as you do about yours, and want to get things straightened out.
But if I were any kind of a man, I'd drop it, because I'm not in her
class."

"Nonsense," said Peter.

"No, I'm not," said Aladdin, gloomily. "I know that. But, Peter, what is
a man going to do, a single, solitary, pretty much good-for-nothing man,
with three great bouncing Fates lined up against him?"

Peter laughed his big, frank laugh.

"Shall we chuck the whole thing," said Aladdin, "until it's time to go
back to the army?"

"No," said Peter, "that would be shirking; it's got to be settled one
way or another very quickly." He became grave again.

"I think so, too, Peter," said Aladdin. "And I think that if she takes
one of us it will be a great sorrow for the other."

"And for her," said Peter, quietly.

"Perhaps," said Aladdin, whimsically, "she won't take either of us."

"That," said Peter, "should be a great sorrow for us both."

"I know," said Aladdin. "Anyway, there's got to be sorrow."

"I think I shall bear it better," said Peter, "if she takes you,
'Laddin."

A flash of comparison between his somewhat morbid and warped self and
the bigness and nobility of his friend passed through Aladdin's mind. He
glanced covertly at the strong, emaciated face beside him, and noted the
steadiness and purity of the eyes. A little quixotic flame, springing
like an orchid from nothing, blazed suddenly in his heart, and for the
instant he was the better man of the two.

"I hope she takes you, Peter," he said.

They rolled on through the midsummer woods, heavy with bright l