dly, "because you are
ready for the great adventure of being poor with your young Richard.
Well, try it. You'll wish more than once that you were back with your
old--plum tree."

Flash of eye met flash of eye. "I shall never ask for another penny," Eve
declared.

"I shall buy your trousseau, of course, and set you up in housekeeping,
but when a woman is married her husband must take care of her." And Aunt
Maude sailed away with her bag and her spectacles and her morning paper,
and Eve was left alone in the black and white breakfast room, where Pats
slept on her green cushion, the Polly-parrot swung in her ring, and the
flame-colored fishes hung motionless in the clear water.

Eve ate no breakfast. She sat with her chin in her hand and tried to
think it out. Aunt Maude had not proved tractable, and Richard's income
would be small. Never having known poverty, she was not appalled by the
prospect of it. Her imagination cast a glamour over the future. She saw
herself making a home for Richard. She saw herself inviting Pip and
Winifred Ames and Tony to small suppers and perfectly served little
dinners. She did not see herself washing dishes or cooking the meals.
Knowing nothing of the day's work, how could she conceive its sordidness?

She roused herself presently to go and write notes to her friends.
Triumphant notes which told of her happiness.

Her note to Pip brought him that night. He came in white-faced. As she
went toward him, he rose to meet her and caught her hands in a hard grip,
looking down at her. "You're mine, Eve. Do you think I am going to let
any one else have you?"

"Don't be silly, Pip."

"Is it silly to say that there will never be for me any other woman? I
shall love you until I die. If that is foolishness, I never want to be
wise."

He was kissing her hands now.

"Don't, Pip, _don't_."

She wrenched herself away from him, and stood as it were at bay. "You'll
get over it."

"Shall I? How little you know me, Eve. I haven't even given you up. If I
were a story-book sort of hero I'd bestow my blessing on you and Brooks
and go and drive an ambulance in France, and break my heart at long
distance. But I shan't. I shall stay right here on the job, and see that
Brooks doesn't get you."

"Pip, I didn't think you were so--small."

The telephone rang. Eve answered it. "It was Winifred to wish me
happiness," she said, as she came in from the hall.

She was blushing faintly. He gave her a keen gla