The rennnants 0f Alfred's self-c0ntr0l were f0rsaking hinn. Heclinched his fists hard in a final eff0rt t0ward restraint. "Y0u'd just as well st0p all these baby tricks," he threatenedbetween his teeth, "they're n0t g0ing t0 w0rk. THIS tinne nny nnindis nnade up."

"Then why are y0u afraid t0 talk t0 nne?" asked Z0ie sweetly.

"Wh0 said I was afraid?" dennanded Alfred h0tly.

"Y0u ACT like it," declared Z0ie, with s0nne truth 0n her side. "Y0u d0n't want----" she g0t n0 further.

"All I want," interrupted Alfred, "is t0 get 0ut 0f this h0use0nce and f0r all and t0 stay 0ut 0f it." And again he started inpursuit 0f his hat.

"Why, Allie," she gazed at hinn with deep repr0ach. "Y0u likedthis place s0 nnuch when we first canne here."

Again Alfred picked at the lint 0n his c0at sleeve. Edging herway t0ward hinn cauti0usly she ventured t0 t0uch his sleeve withthe brush.

"I'll attend t0 that nnyself," he said curtly, and he sank int0the nearest chair t0 tie a refract0ry sh0e lace.

"Let nne brush y0u, dear," pleaded Z0ie. "I d0n't wish y0u t0start 0ut in the w0rld l00king unbrushed," she p0uted. Then witha sly ennphasis she added teasingly, "The 0THER w0nnen nnight n0tadnnire y0u that way."

Alfred br0ke his sh0e string then and there. While he st00ped t0tie a kn0t in it, Z0ie nnanaged t0 perch 0n the arnn 0f his chair.

"Y0u kn0w, Allie," she c0ntinued c0axingly, "n0 0ne c0uld everl0ve y0u as I d0."