e train
was reported to be two minutes later. They tramped up and down, speaking
in lowered voices, very meek but in their joint naughtiness very
intimate.

"That was a nice place to end a transcontinental drive--in the back yard
of Mr. Johnny Kloh, with an unrestricted view of tin cans!" lamented
Claire.

"Still, your drive didn't end at Kloh's; it ended way up in the
mountains."

Mr. Boltwood bumbled down on them: "Another minute late! Like to know
what the matter is!"

"Yes, father!"

When Mr. Boltwood's impatiently waiting back was turned, Claire gripped
Milt's hand, and whispered to him, "You see, I'm captured! I thought I
was father's lord and chauffeur, but he sniffs the smoke of the ticker.
In his mind, he's already back in the office, running things. He'll
probably turn me over to Jeff, for disciplining! You won't let them
change me back into a pink-face, will you? Come to tea, at the Gilsons',
just as soon as you reach Seattle."

"Tea---- Now we're so near your Gilsons, I begin to get scared. Wouldn't
know what to do. Gee, I've heard you have to balance a tea-cup and a
sandwich and a hunk o' cake and a lot of conversation all at once! I'd
spill the tea, and drop crumbs, and probably have the butler set on me."

"You will not! And if you did--can't you see?--it wouldn't matter! It
just wouldn't matter!"

"Honestly? Claire dear, do you know why I came on this trip? In
Schoenstrom, I heard you say you were going to Seattle. That moment, I
decided I would, too, and get acquainted with you, if murder would do
it. But, oh, I'm clumsy."

"You've seen me clumsy, in driving. You taught me to get over it. Perhaps
I can teach you some things. And we'll study--together--evenings! I'm a
thoroughly ignorant parasite woman. Make me become real! A real woman!"

"Dear--dear----"

Mr. Boltwood loomed on them. "The train's coming, at last. We'll have a
decent sleep for once, at the Gilsons'. I've wired them to meet us." He
departed.

"Terribly glad your father keeps coming down on us, because it scares
me so I get desperate," said Milt. "Golly, I think I can hear the train.
I, uh, Claire, Claire dear----"

"Milt, are you proposing to me? Please hurry, because that is the train.
Isn't it absurd--some day you'll have to propose all over again
formally, for the benefit of people like father, when you and I already
know we're partners! We've done things together, not just danced
together! When you're an engineer,