never looked up.

Finally the sounds began to get on Evan's nerves. "Don't tire
yourself!" he said with bitter politeness.

She stopped, and turning around on the bench waited for him to say
something more. Her attitude said plainer than words: "You provoked
this situation; very well, it's up to you to save it." This cool
defiance in a mere girl, a little one at that, angered Evan past all
bearing. He smiled the more, and addressed the other man:

"Fond of music, Mr. Anway?"

"Very," said the other without looking at him.

"What is your favourite piece in Miss Playfair's repertoire--I mean
among the songs."

"I have no favourite."

"But don't you think she sings 'Just a Wearyin' for You' and 'Love
Unexpressed' with wonderful expression?"

Anway did not answer. Corinna yawned delicately. "You'll have to
excuse me," she said. "I have to go to Ridgewood early to-morrow to
give lessons."

Anway, better-mannered than Evan--or better-trained, immediately rose.
Evan sat tight, smiling mockingly at Corinna. "No, you don't!" the
smile said. His conduct was inexcusable of course, but he was beyond
caring for that. She had denied him and defied him to his face; let
her take the consequences. Anway seeing that Evan wasn't going, sat
down again flushing.

"Don't wait for me," said Evan. "I only have to go up-stairs."

Anway bit his lip. He was not deficient in pluck, but he lacked Evan's
self-possession. The two or three years' difference in age put him at
a cruel disadvantage. Finally he looked at the girl.

"May I stay a little longer, Corinna?" he asked.

The Christian name stabbed Evan. He sneered. "Nice, well-mannered
little boy!" his expression said.

"You must both go," said Corinna calmly.

Evan smiled at her again, but she refused to meet his glance. However
he stood up now, for he wished to start the other man on his way.
Anway picked up his hat and gloves. Then all three stood there
avoiding each other's glances. Neither man would be the first to say
good-night, nor would Corinna address one before the other. It was a
sufficiently absurd situation, but it had all the potentialities of a
violent one. Finally Corinna cut the knot by saying:

"Good-night, both of you." She opened the door.

The two young men glared at each other. Anway was the weaker spirit
and he had to go first. But he lingered just outside the door to make
sure that Evan was coming too.

Evan whispered to