dress!" said Philip. "Not even Polly."

When the train pulled out, the elder Ammon went home to find Hart
Henderson waiting.

"Where is Phil?" he demanded.

"He did not feel like facing his friends at present, and I am just
back from driving him to the station. He said he might go to Siam, or
Patagonia. He would leave no address."

Henderson almost staggered. "He's not gone? And left no address? You
don't mean it! He'll never forgive her!"

"Never is a long time, Hart," said Mr. Ammon. "And it seems even longer
to those of us who are well acquainted with Phil. Last night was not the
last straw. It was the whole straw-stack. It crushed Phil so far as she
is concerned. He will not see her again voluntarily, and he will not
forget if he does. You can take it from him, and from me, we have
accepted the lady's decision. Will you have a cup of coffee?"

Twice Henderson opened his lips to speak of Edith Carr's despair. Twice
he looked into the stern, inflexible face of Mr. Ammon and could not
betray her. He held out the ring.

"I have no instructions as to that," said the elder Ammon, drawing back.
"Possibly Miss Carr would have it as a keepsake."

"I am sure not," said Henderson curtly.

"Then suppose you return it to Peacock. I will phone him. He will give
you the price of it, and you might add it to the children's Fresh Air
Fund. We would be obliged if you would do that. No one here cares to
handle the object."

"As you choose," said Henderson. "Good morning!"

Then he went to his home, but he could not think of sleep. He ordered
breakfast, but he could not eat. He paced the library for a time, but it
was too small. Going on the streets he walked until exhausted, then
he called a hansom and was driven to his club. He had thought himself
familiar with every depth of suffering; that night had taught him that
what he felt for himself was not to be compared with the anguish which
wrung his heart over the agony of Edith Carr. He tried to blame Philip
Ammon, but being an honest man, Henderson knew that was unjust. The
fault lay wholly with her, but that only made it harder for him, as he
realized it would in time for her.

As he sauntered into the room an attendant hurried to him.

"You are wanted most urgently at the 'phone, Mr. Henderson," he said.
"You have had three calls from Main 5770."

Henderson shivered as he picked down the receiver and gave the call.

"Is that you, Hart?" came Edith's voice.

"Yes."