I's eatin' my white bread right here, and I knows it. I
ain't goin' to experimentify wid no marryin', nor givin' in marriage."

"In your case, I believe you're right. In my own, however, I know that,
mad as I am this morning, 'experimentification' is the breath of life
to me."

They spent the morning in such peaceful converse. While Bambi may not
have added greatly to the cherry-pitting, she rose rested and with a
collected mind.

"Ardelia, I thank you for a dose of calm," she said, laying her hand
affectionately on the black woman's broad shoulder.

"Law, honey, I done enjoyed your sassiety," she said, laughing and
patting her hand.

Within the course of a few days Bambi had an appeal from Jarvis:

"Are you ill? Is anything the matter? Are you merely tired of me that
you do not write? Your letters are the only event of my days."

This gave her the chance she wanted.

"You seem to be unaware, my dear Jarvis, that in offering a rude rebuff
to Mr. Strong you offended me, since he is my good friend and came to
see you at my request. I think you made as poor an impression on him as
he did upon you, at the time of your meeting, and it was as a politeness
to me that he came to look you up. I think an apology to both of us is
rather necessary."

A week elapsed, with no reply. Then came a characteristic answer:

"DEAR BAMBI: Please find enclosed copy of apology sent Strong to-day. I
don't like him, but I have apologized. I also apologize to you. Please
don't omit letters any more. They mean a great deal these days."

She pondered this for some time. That Jarvis was going through new and
trying experiences she realized. But this human appeal for her letters
was so unlike the old Jarvis that she had to read it many times to
believe it was actually there.

She wrote him at once, accepting his apology gracefully.

"Can't you come out for a few days' rest here, and go back in time to
hear Frohman's verdict? We'd love to have you, especially the Professor
and Ardelia."

He answered that it was impossible to get away now. Later, possibly, he
might come. He was grateful for the invitation. He never mentioned how
he lived, and she did not ask him. The Professor's check he returned,
with a note of thanks, saying he did not need it. The summer went by and
fall came to town. Still there was no word of his return.

"My, this is a fat letter from Jarvis! Frohman must have accepted the
play!" exclaimed Bambi one morning in S