convenient. Canning stretched out an indolent but man's sized hand and
refilled his glass. From across the room Kerr's voice sounded, conveying
enthusiasm founded on the solid rock of patience:

"And this little poem about roses and how cold your nose is--I must
really show you that, ma'am. Spicy, you know! And the witty picture!"

"I'll compromise on an hour," said Canning. "And what hideous foibles
did the visitor charge you with to banish me that long?"

"With being quite heartless."

"Oh."

"With having nothing inside to be kind with. For these reasons he felt
quite sorry for me."

"Ah! Is it possible that you could remember _my_ suggesting, just a
thought before him--"

"I do remember. But, you see, this man is quite crazy. I suspected it
then, but I know it now, for you said so not five minutes ago."

Canning looked at her.

"Your words," said Carlisle, "were that he was off his chump at all
points. I hope mamma isn't listening, for she doesn't like me to use
slang, and will not believe me when I say the men teach it to me."

"Oh!... Was _that_ Vivian!"

Carlisle nodded. "It makes it all quite interesting, doesn't it? To be
felt sorry for by a man who writes really wicked attacks on one's
father's perfectly lovely business. Only I knew all along he wasn't
really quite right.... I hope you've had a very happy trip?"

"Thank you. I don't believe I have, particularly."

"Oh, I'm sorry!... Have you suffered at all from the blues, since you
got well of the cold and escaped at midnight from your little fort?"

Canning continued to look at her.

"I've felt lonely," said he, "when the moon shines bright."

"You?"

A knock fell upon the door, making all look up; and Kerr bustling
forward, first opened the door, and then stepped out into the hall. He
returned in a moment, his round face puckered dubiously.

"It's Johnson," he explained--"chap across the hall, with the better
apartment. Wanted to show it to me now. He's living down the river,
and's going off in half an hour. H'm. Well, guess I better let it go
till the next time he's in."

"Don't mind us, old chap," said Canning, without hesitation.

"If you wanted mamma to look at it with you, Willie? Perhaps--"

Mrs. Heth was already on her feet.

"Nonsense, Willie! Of course get the man while he's here--and _I'm_ here
too! Across the hall?--it won't take us five minutes--"

"All right'm--thank you," agreed Willie, with evident pleasure. He
a