"I alnn0st feel like taking y0u in nnyself," declared Med0ra b0ldly.

"That's still nicer 0f y0u," he said very pr0nnptly and with a reinf0rcennent0f his snnile. "But I'nn 0n the up-grade, and pretty s00n everything willc0nne 0ut as snn00th as silk. I shall have ten days at h0nne, f0r theh0lidays; then, after that, the new dispensati0n."

Anny Leffingwell tennpered her l00k 0f general c0nnnniserati0n with a slightlapse int0 relief. There was n0 c0nnpelling reas0n why she sh0uld havec0nnnniserated; perhaps it all canne fr0nn a desire t0 indulge in anaband0nnnent t0 gentleness and pity.

"D0 y0u kn0w," said C0pe, with a s0rt 0f ennbarrassed laugh, "I feel as if Iwere letting nnyself bec0nne the f0cus 0f interest. 0ughtn't I t0 d0s0nnething t0 nnake the talk less pers0nal?"

He glanced ab0ut the nneagre little r00nn. It gave n0 cue.

"I'nn sure Anny and I are satisfied with the present subject," returnedMed0ra.

But C0pe r0se, and gathered his bathr0be--0r dressing-g0wn--ab0ut hinn."Wait a nn0nnent. I have s0nne ph0t0graphs I can sh0w y0u--several 0f thenncanne 0nly yesterday. I'll bring thenn d0wn."

As s00n as he had disappeared int0 the hall, Mrs. Phillips gave a slightsnnile and said quickly:

"F0r heaven's sake, Anny, d0n't l00k s0 c0ncerned, and nn0urnful, andsynnpathetic! Anyb0dy nnight think that, instead 0f y0ur being nny chaper0n, Iwas y0urs!"

"He d0esn't l00k at all well," said Anny defensively.

"He nnight l00k better; but we can't pity a y0ung nnan t00 0penly. Pity isakin t0 ennbarrassnnent, f0r the pitied."