Mrs. Beck's voice was awed. "Ain't they grand? Do
you know them?"

"No." I put my hands in the pockets of my long coat. "I used to
know one of them, the feeble-minded one. We'd better go over to High
Street and take a car to Benson's. The storm's getting worse. We'll
have to hurry."

The street lamps were being lighted as we reached Scarborough Square,
and at sight of the house, in the doorway of which Mrs. Mundy was
standing, I hurried, impelled by impulse beyond defining. Mrs. Beck
had left me at the corner, and as Mrs. Mundy closed the door behind
me she followed me up the steps.

"I've been that worried about you I couldn't set still long at a
time, and Bettina's been up three times to see that your fire was
burning all right. I knew you didn't have your umbrella or
overshoes. It's a wonder you ain't froze stiff. I'll bring your tea
right up."

"I've had tea, thank you." I held out first one foot and then the
other to the blazing coals, and from the soles of my shoes came
curling steam. "It's a wonderful storm. I'd like to walk ten miles
in it. I don't know why you were worried. I'm all right."

"I know you are, but"--she poked the fire--"but I wish you wouldn't
go so hard. For near two weeks you haven't stopped a minute. You
can't stand going like that. I wish I'd known where to find you.
Mr. Thorne was here this afternoon. He was very anxious to see you."

"Mr. who?" I turned sharply, then put my hands behind me to hide
their sudden twisting. I was cold and tired, and the only human
being in all the world I wanted to see was Selwyn. It was
intolerable, this tormenting something that was separating us. "When
was he here?" I asked, and leaned against the mantel.

"He came about three, but he waited half an hour. He didn't say
much, but he was powerful put out about your not being home. He
couldn't wait any longer, as he had to catch a train--the
four-thirty, I think."

"Where was he going?" I sat down in the big wing-chair and the
fingers of my hands interlaced. "Did he say where he was going?"

"He didn't mention the place, just said he had to go away and might
be gone some time. He'll write, I reckon. He was awful disappointed
at not seeing you. He asked me--" Mrs. Mundy, on her knees,
unbuttoned my shoes and drew them off. "Your feet are near 'bout
frozen, and no wonder. Your stockings are wet clean through, and I'm
letting you sit here in them when I promised him