able, they both fought off any return of emotional
topics.

"Do you know when you leave?" he asked her.

"Yes, at ten."

"You will let me get you aboard the train?"

"We would appreciate it very much, thank you, Jerry."

"Shall I tell people you've gone for a visit?"

"Yes. I told Bobs."

"Is Mrs. Biggs coming?"

"Yes. She'll be here when we go. I invited Billy to come, too."

"That's right. Quite like old times."

"You must go about with your uptown friends and be very gay, so you
won't be lonesome."

"I'll manage."

"I hope the Melisande picture will not be installed before I get back. I
want to see that," she said.

"I'm nearly through with it, now."

"It's your best work, Jerry. I know it is going to be a success for
you."

He smiled mirthlessly.

"Do you remember what I said on our way to be married?"

She shook her head.

"I don't know why I remember it--wasn't so very brilliant--but it comes
to me. I said: 'this is the kind of thing they talked in the tumbrils.'
We always face our crises with platitudes, Jane."

"Don't most people, Jerry? It's the child in us clinging to what we
know, I suppose."

"As the Bald One clings to my finger!"

She nodded and rose.

"I still have packing to do. If you'll excuse me, I'll go right up."

"Good-night, Jane," he said steadily.

"Good-night, and thank you, Jerry."

"For what?"

"For understanding."

"But I don't. I don't understand anything about you. I don't know why
you're going any more than I know where--but I'm trying to see that that
doesn't make any difference, that it's your right to see this through
your own way."

"Jerry, that's better than understanding, that's faith," she said
softly, and left him pondering.

CHAPTER XXXII

Before Jane went to bed a telegram came from Miss Garnett saying she
would take them, so she had no need of anxiety on that score. The
morning proved gray and cold. Breakfast was a silent affair.

Baby was the only cheerful member of the party which started for the
station in a taxicab. He was so absorbed in the experience in hand that
he provided a topic of interest.

"He's keen on taxicabs; this is his second one and see how he takes to
it!" said Jerry.

"Mebbe he's going to be a 'chauffer,'" suggested Anna.

So with trivialities they managed to keep up appearances until Jerry was
to leave them.

"Will you write to me, Jane?" he asked, bending over her.

"No, but I will send for you t