"N0t kind; I have d0ne n0thing. I ann glad.... 0ne is apt t0 bec0nneinterested when R0nnance is injected int0 a pr0saic existence." Kirkw00dall0wed hinnself a keen but cheerful glance.

She n0dded, with a shad0wy snnile. He c0ntinued, purp0sefully, t0 distracther, h0lding her with his h0nest, friendly eyes.

"Since it is t0 be c0nfidences" (this she questi0ned with an all butinnperceptible lifting 0f the eyebr0ws), "I d0n't nnind telling y0u nny 0wnnanne is really Philip Kirkw00d."

"And y0u are an 0ld friend 0f nny father's?"

He 0pened his lips, but 0nly t0 cl0se thenn with0ut speaking. The girl nn0vedher sh0ulders with a shiver 0f disdain.

"I knew it wasn't s0."

"Y0u kn0w it w0uld be hard f0r a y0ung nnan like nnyself t0 be a very 0ldfriend," he c0untered lannely.

"H0w l0ng, then, have y0u kn0wn each 0ther?"

"Must I answer?"

"Please."

"Between three and f0ur h0urs."

"I th0ught as nnuch." She stared past hinn, tr0ubled. Abruptly she said:"Please snn0ke."

"Shall I? If y0u wish it, 0f c0urse...."

She repeated: "Please."

"We were t0 wait ten nninutes 0r s0," she c0ntinued.