my own car. And I'd picked out the places we'd
go to for the next four Sundays--yes, and a lot of other things too."

"How did you find the time?"

"I had plenty of time last night, after we went to bed and you kept me
awake by doing your grand combined kicking and contortion act. You
take it from me--every time you get one of your restless fits, you
smash all world's records for landing sudden and violent kicks in
unexpected places."

Fanny laughed good-humoredly.

"Can I help it if I'm a little nervous once in a while?" she said.

"Of course not, and I don't blame you for it, but that doesn't give me
back my sleep, does it?" Taking out his watch he added: "I've got to
skin. I'll be a bit late as it is and McLoughlin's sure to be there
waiting for me with a few pleasant words."

He stooped to kiss his wife.

"Good-bye, dear!" he said. "Get home early so as to be sure the
dinner's all right, won't you?"

"Yes, dear."

Hurriedly he went on:

"If it's O.K. about the car, have Virgie's chauffeur drive you home
and leave it in front of the building where the neighbors can get a
peek at it. I'll arrange about the garage when I get back."

"Very well."

Waving his hand, he made his way toward the door:

"Then good-bye. If we don't get that machine now after it being
promised to us, after all the figuring I've done on it, it'll be hell,
that's what it'll be--just hell!"

He disappeared and Fanny rose from her seat to go in search of her
sister. She looked for her in the adjoining room but she was not
there. Wondering where she could be, she went out into the hall and
called:

"Virgie--Virgie!"

Virginia entered from the bedroom where she had been busy packing some
things. Running up to her, Fanny said quickly:

"You know I didn't mean what I said about leaving him."

Virginia looked steadily at her without answering. There was a
moment's pause during which each sister looked at the other, as if
trying to read her most secret thoughts. Finally, the younger one
said:

"You didn't really?"

"No--honest, I didn't. I don't think I could leave him, no matter what
he did. I love him! And you love Robert, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Well, a woman couldn't deliberately leave the man she loves, could
she?"

Virginia made no reply and, anxiously, Fanny demanded again.

"Could she?"

Virginia nodded. Slowly she said:

"I think a woman might--and be justified in it."

"Even if she loved him?"

"No matter