g to your work again, to the
world to which you belong, of which you are a part and from which, in
spite of all effort and argument, you cannot possibly separate yourself?
You know, I never could take your idea seriously, Jack," she added, with
increasing confidence, addressing him as one would a naughty child. He
only smiled by way of reply, and quietly blew a ring of smoke into the
air.

"I see you are as obstinate and determined as ever," she continued
rather petulantly. "Don't be overconfident though; you might fail, you
know, and failure is always discouraging--it involves such a waste of
time."

"If I do, it will be the first time I have failed." He was about to
continue, but checked himself. They were getting on dangerous ground.
She understood his inference and colored and smiled. For some time
neither spoke. A gold leaf, one of the first heralds of autumn, dropped
silently down from the bough overhead to the center of the table. He
took another sip of tea.

"Jack," she said at length, raising her eyes from her hands in her lap
where she toyed with her fan, "supposing a position were offered you,
one quite worth your while, would you return? Not immediately, but
later on, when you have grown a little tired of playing at the game of
life? In six months, say--or even a year if you like?" Her whole
attitude and expression had changed, and a look of pleading and
expectancy shone from her eyes. Again he smiled. What was she driving
at? he asked himself.

"I'm afraid it will be longer than that, Blanch," he answered. "Besides,
what position could possibly be open to me? You know, my name is struck
from the lists. At least, it ought to be if it isn't."

"Possibly," she answered. "But, if you cared enough, there might be
another chance!"

"What do you mean?" he interrupted, regarding her curiously. In reply,
she quietly drew an official document from her bosom and handed it to
him across the table without a word. He colored, and she saw that his
hand trembled slightly, betraying the emotion he felt as he opened the
envelope and glanced hastily over its contents. "The Ministry to
Turkey--Blanch!" he gasped, regarding her in astonishment.

"Yes," she answered nervously, watching closely the effect the news had
upon him. "I received it a week ago. The President knows how clever you
are, Jack, and has promised to keep the position open for you if you
will consent to accept it. You know, he always had a warm place i