uced serious. And agitated too. You ought to think twice
before you startle me like that--just when everything was going along
so nicely."

"I am only reminding you of your own agreement," stubbornly. "I want to
be of use."

"Very selfish of you. Can't you think of someone else once in a while?"

"Selfish? Because I want to help?"

"Certainly. I wonder you don't see it! Think of the mornings I've put
in on this dashed book just because you wanted to help. I have to be
polite, haven't I?--up to a point. But when you begin to blame me for
doing poorly what I do not want to do at all I begin to see that my
self-sacrifice is not appreciated."

"You are talking nonsense."

"Perhaps I am. But it was you who started it. When you said I did not
need you, you said a very nonsensical thing. And a very unkind thing,
too. A man does not like to talk of--his need. But, now that we have
come to just this point, let us have it out. Surely our partnership was
not quite as narrow as you suggest? The book is a detail. It is L. part
of life which will fit in somewhere--an important part in its right
place--but it isn't the whole pattern." He smiled whimsically. "Do not
think of me as just an animated book, my dear--if you can help it. And
remember, no matter how we choose to interpret our marriage, you are my
wife. And my very good comrade. The one thing which could ever change
my need of you is your greater need of--of someone else."

The last words were casual enough but the look which accompanied them
was keen, and a sense of relief rose gratefully in the professor as no
sign of disturbance appeared upon the thoughtful face of his hearer.

"Is Benis here, my dear?" asked Aunt Caroline opening the door. "Oh
yes, I see that he is. Benis, you are wanted on the 'phone. If you
would take my advice, which you never do, you would have an extension
placed in this room. Then you could always just answer and save Olive a
great deal of bother. Not that I think maids ought to mind being
bothered. They never did in my time. But it would be quite simple for
you, when you are writing here, to attend to the 'phone. Perhaps if the
butcher heard a man's voice occasionally he might be more respectful. I
do not expect much of tradespeople, as you know, but if the butcher--"

"Is it the butcher who wishes to speak to me, Aunt?"

"Good gracious, no. It's long distance. Why don't you hurry? ... Men
have no idea of the value of time," she added as