responded with three words of curt refusal.

After dinner Stanley unexpectedly appeared. He hardly waited for the
necessary formalities of the greeting before he said to Mrs. Brindley:
"I want to see Mildred alone. I know you won't mind, Mrs. Brindley.
It's very important." He laughed nervously but cheerfully. "And in a
few minutes I'll call you in. I think I'll have something interesting
to tell you."

Mrs. Brindley laughed. With her cigarette in one hand and her cup of
after-dinner coffee in the other, she moved toward the door, saying
gayly to Mildred:

"I'll be in the next room. If you scream I shall hear. So don't be
alarmed."

Stanley closed the door, turned beaming upon Mildred. Said he: "Here's
my news. My missus has got her divorce."

Mildred started up.

"Yes, the real thing," he assured her. "Of course I knew what was
doing. But I kept mum--didn't want to say anything to you till I could
say everything. Mildred, I'm free. We can be married to-morrow, if you
will."

"Then you know about me?" said she, confused.

"On the way I stopped in to see Keith. He told me about that
skunk--told me you were free, too."

Mildred slowly sat down. Her elbows rested upon the table. There was
her bare forearm, slender and round, and her long, graceful fingers lay
against her cheek. The light from above reflected charmingly from the
soft waves and curves of her hair. "You're lovely--simply lovely!"
cried Stanley. "Mildred--darling--you WILL marry me, won't you? You
can go right on with the career, if you like. In fact, I'd rather you
would, for I'm frightfully proud of your voice. And I've changed a lot
since I became sincerely interested in you. The other sort of life and
people don't amuse me any more. Mildred, say you'll marry me. I'll
make you as happy as the days are long."

She moved slightly. Her hand dropped to the table.

"I guess I came down on you too suddenly," said he. "You look a bit
dazed."

"No, I'm not dazed," replied she.

"I'll call Mrs. Brindley in, and we'll all three talk it over."

"Please don't," said she. "I've got to think it out for myself."

"I know there isn't anyone else," he went on. "So, I'm sure--dead
sure, Mildred, that I can teach you to love me."

She looked at him pleadingly. "I don't have to answer right away?"

"Certainly not," laughed he. "But why shouldn't you? What is there
against our getting married? Nothing. And everything for it