ht. He had come back
so full of new impressions that he had probably overflowed with them.
It was a very formal, extremely tall and reticent Clayton Spencer who
greeted Audrey that night.

Afterward he remembered that Audrey was not quite her usual frivolous
self that evening. But perhaps that was only in retrospect, in view of
what he learned later. She was very daringly dressed, as usual, wearing
a very low gown and a long chain and ear-rings of black opals, and as
usual all the men in the room were grouped around her.

"Thank heaven for one dignified man," she exclaimed, looking up at him.
"Clayton, you do give tone to my parties."

It was not until they went in to dinner that he missed Chris. He heard
Audrey giving his excuses.

"He's been called out of town," she said. "Clay, you're to have his
place. And the flowers are low, so I can look across and admire you."

There were a dozen guests, and things moved rapidly. Audrey's dinners
were always hilarious. And Audrey herself, Clayton perceived from his
place of vantage, was flirting almost riotously with the man on her
left. She had two high spots of color in her cheeks, and Clayton
fancied--or was that in retrospect, too?--that her gayety was rather
forced. Once he caught her eyes and it seemed to him that she was trying
to convey something to him.

And then, of course, the talk turned to the war, and he caught a flash
of irritation on Natalie's face.

"Ask the oracle," said Audrey's clear voice, "Ask Clay. He knows all
there is to know."

"I didn't hear it, but I suppose it is when the war will end?"

"Amazing perspicacity," some one said.

"I can only give you my own opinion. Ten years if we don't go in.
Possibly four if we do."

There were clamors of dissent.

"None of them can hold out so long."

"If we go in it will end in six months."

"Nonsense! The Allies are victorious now:"

"I only gave an opinion," he protested. "One man's guess is just as
good as another's. All I contend is that it is going on to a finish. The
French and English are not going to stop until they have made the Hun
pay in blood for what he has cost them."

"I wish I were a man," Audrey said' suddenly. "I don't see how any man
with red blood in his veins can sit still, and not take a gun and try
to stop it. Sometimes I think I'll cut off my hair, and go over anyhow.
I've only got one accomplishment. I can shoot. I'd like to sit in a tree
somewhere and pick them off. Th