brave, "and I'm going to be so proud to think I know you."

"Do you think they'll let you come down to the Andover game?"

"I don't know about the game--but the Prom!"

"Gee, you'll be a knockout there!"

They ate more chocolates, while Skippy debated how to lead the
conversation into the softer strain before bestowing on the object of
his affections (for value exchanged, of course) the sacred emblem of the
Philomathean Debating Society and bringing forth the Lawrenceville
banner which was tightly folded up in his bulging hip pocket.

"I suppose you'll go back now to Dolly Travers," said Vivi, whose
appetite for verbal expressions of sentiment was still far from being
satisfied. "And forget all about--about this wonderful week."

"Women are fickler than men," said Skippy gloomily.

"Not--not always."

"Don't believe it."

"Out of sight out of mind."

"You know better than that," said Skippy, digging into his change pocket
for the pin.

"How do I know?" said Vivi encouragingly.

"Because--" Suddenly Skippy remembered. His fingers relaxed on the pin.
He brought forth his hand. "Say, you promised to read my hand you know."

"Did I?"

"Sure you did."

Miss Vivi sat up and carefully pillowed the squat calloused hand in her
soft one. For a moment she studied it, turning it over and back again,
running her finger meditatively over the mounds and depressions.

"Well?" said Skippy anxiously.

"Shall I tell all?"

"Everything."

"You have a very strong will--very obstinate and not easily influenced.
Ambition will be your god and you will sacrifice--" Vivi hesitated.

"I say, go on."

"So far is true, isn't it?"

"Well, pretty true," said Skippy, who began to enjoy his portrait.

"You will sacrifice everything to your ambition--friends, family, the
woman who loves you."

"Oh, I say!"

"It's here in your hand," said Vivi, shocked at the discovery. "Women
will play very little part in your life. It's not that you haven't a lot
to give, you have. See this bump, that's affection. It's very
developed."

"That's where I threw my thumb out of joint," said Skippy doubtfully.

"But you've had a terrible experience in your life that has shaken your
faith and you are afraid to trust again." Skippy looked the picture of
gloom at this and thought bitterly on Mimi Lafontaine after hesitating
once or twice on the backward journey. "This has made you cynical and
cold, ready to impute the lowest motives. Women