Don't you recollect I
never was much on patience? Come, little private secretary, I'm just
about at the end of my rope."

"I think you ought to go upstairs and see your mother," I replied
calmly. "Did she expect you?"

"Sure. Sure, my dear. I 'phoned the mater to vanish. Savvy?" He was
still leaning toward me. "Come, we're alone. I dropped everything on the
spot to come to _you_. Now don't you suppose you can manage to drop that
fancy-work stuff to say you're glad to see me?"

"Please, Breck," I said, moving away from him a little. He was very near
me. "Don't be in such a hurry. Please. You always had to give me time,
you know. Would you mind opening a window? It's so warm in here. And
then explain this surprising situation? I'd thank you if you would."

"It is hot in here," he said, leaning still nearer, "hot as hell, or
else it's the sight of you that makes my blood boil," he murmured.

I moved away again, reeled off some more thread and threaded my needle.

"You don't fall off!" Breck went on. "You don't lose your looks. By gad,
you don't!"

"If you touch the bell by the curtain there," I said, "Perkins will come
and open the window for us."

"Good Lord," Breck exclaimed, "you're the coolest proposition I ever ran
across. All right. Have your own way, my lady. You always have been able
to twist me around your little finger. Here goes." And he strode across
to the front window, pulled the hangings back and threw open a sash. I
felt the cool air on the back of my neck. Breck came back and stood
looking down at me quizzically. I kept on taking stitches. "Keep right
at it, industrious little one," he smiled. "Sew as long as you want to.
_I_ don't mind. I don't have to go out again to get home tonight. I'm
satisfied. Stitch away, dear little Busy Bee." He took out a cigarette
and lit it; then suddenly sat down on the sofa beside me, leaned back
luxuriously, and in silence proceeded to send little rings of smoke
ceilingward. "Lovely!" he murmured. "True felicity! I've dreamed of
this! This is something like home now, my beauty. This is as it ought to
be! I always wear holes in the heels too, my love. And no knots,
kindly."

"Breck," I interrupted finally, "is your mother in this?"

"We're all in it, my dear child."

"Will you explain?"

"Sure, delighted. Sit up on my hind legs and beg if you want me to.
Anything you say. It was this way. I was in London when mater happened
to mention the name of her jewel o