w position. He deferred to her
opinions, he even referred to her work.

"What are you busy with now, Jane?" he inquired.

"I'm working out an absorbing situation," she answered, and outlined it
to him. He was interested and they discussed it for some time. "It's all
I can do to tear myself away from my desk these days; I feel as if I
just must have more time."

"Can't we manage with lunch later?"

"No, not if we get you ready for a model at two. I can't seem to get off
any earlier in the morning."

"Why not?"

"Well, I have to do the ordering and get Baby bathed and off to sleep."

"Can't Anna do that?"

"No, she can't order, and I don't want her to bathe Baby."

"I might manage the ordering for a week or so, until you get the story
along past the climax."

"Jerry! would you?" she exclaimed.

"Why not? I'm here all morning--might as well."

"You dear! That would give me a half-an-hour earlier start."

"Anybody who can get up in the morning, and go at her work the way you
do, ought to have a free rein."

"Morning's my time, afternoon is yours; we're very well suited to each
other in some ways, Jerry," she laughed.

"Where's Christiansen these days?" he asked.

"He's out of town--with his wife, I suspect."

"Poor devil! It's hard lines, isn't it?"

"Yes, but Martin is one of the few who are big enough to suffer."

"How do you mean?"

"So many people are so selfish and small-minded that they can only cry
and protest against afflictions, but there are some who welcome the
bitter with the sweet--who grow big and fruitful with sorrow. Martin is
like that. I think him the biggest man I've ever known," she added
simply.

The studio crowd arranged a party in the Chatfields' studio which Jinny
called a "coronation" in Jane's honour. It was to be a surprise and they
told Jerry the details and gave him orders about getting her there, with
no suspicion of the real nature of the event.

"It's sweet of you, Jinny, but Jane won't like it," he said.

"Yes, she will! Every woman likes to be made much of. She made her other
debut in my house and I want her for this one. We're so proud of her, we
don't know what to do, Jerry!" she answered feelingly.

"All right. I'll get her there at nine o'clock, but I've warned you!" he
laughed.

As it was, he had a great struggle to get Hamlet to the feast. Jane was
too tired to go anywhere, she said, and they could go to see Jinny any
time. Then when he had finally ind