till she did not understand that he
wanted to talk to her for the very comfort of her companionship, to
enjoy the fire, the smell of homemade bread, the atmosphere of shabby,
lovely, everyday plain living.

"We'll decide that later. I came to see just--you. Surprised? I wanted
to ask if there is anything I can do for you. I want to help if I
may."

"I've no exact plans. Just a definite idea of finding a small
apartment and making it as homey as possible. I loathe apartments
usually," she added, impulsively, "but we must have a home and I can't
assume a whole house. We will take our old things and fix them over,
and the worst of them we'll pass on to someone needing them badly
enough not to mind what they are." She was quite frank in admitting
the tortured walnut and the engravings.

"I'm glad you are not going to break up and board--though it's none
of my business. I brought some fruit. Do you mind?" He had been trying
to hide behind the chair a mammoth basket of fruit.

"No. How lovely of you and Mrs. O'Valley!"

"It was not possible for Mrs. O'Valley to come yesterday," he forced
himself to say. "She was very sorry and is going to call on you
later."

"Thank you," Mary answered, briefly.

"You have a nice old place here. Mind if I stroll about and stare? I
have very seldom been in rooms like this one. An orphan asylum, a
ranch, a hall bedroom, star boarder, a club, a better club, the young
palace--is my record. How different you seem in your home, Miss
Faithful. Perhaps it's the dress. I like soft gray----" he caught
himself in time.

Mary was blushing. She called his attention to some wood carving her
father had done. Presently Steve changed the subject back to himself.

"You don't know how I'd like a slice of homemade bread," he pleaded.
"Must I turn up my coat collar and go stand at the side door?"

"I made it because Luke had eaten nothing but pie and cake. You really
don't want just bread?"

"I do--two slices, thick, stepmother size, please."

It seemed quite unreal to Mary as she was finally prevailed upon to
bring in the tea wagon with the bread and jam trimmings to accompany
the steaming little kettle.

"Man alive," sighed Steve, stretching out leisurely, "I came to
console you and I'm being consoled and fed--in body and mind--made fit
for work.... I say, what do you think of letting the Boston merger be
made public at the banquet on----" He began a budget of business
detail upon which Mary c