rresolutely. "Well, of course,
if that's the way it is ..." He checked himself and a sad smile crossed
his face. "So you don't care enough about your old husband's success to
make one supreme effort in spite of feeling bad?"

Again the helpless headshake. "I just can't go out tonight, under any
circumstances." And her gaze stole toward the lead shutters.

He was about to say something when he caught the direction of her gaze.
His eyebrows jumped. For seconds he stared at her incredulously, as if
some completely new and almost unbelievable possibility had popped into
his mind. The look of incredulity slowly faded, to be replaced by a
harder, more calculating expression. But when he spoke again, his voice
was shockingly bright and kind.

"Well, it can't be helped naturally, and I certainly wouldn't want you
to go if you weren't able to enjoy it. So you hop right into bed and get
a good rest. I'll run over to the men's dorm to freshen up. No, really,
I don't want you to have to make any effort at all. Incidentally, Jim
Barnes isn't going to be able to come to the banquet either--touch of
the old 'flu, he tells me, of all things."

He watched her closely as he mentioned the other man's name, but she
didn't react noticeably. In fact, she hardly seemed to be hearing his
chatter.

"I got a bit sharp with you, I'm afraid, Effie," he continued
contritely. "I'm sorry about that. I was excited about my new job and I
guess that was why things upset me. Made me feel let down when I found
you weren't feeling as good as I was. Selfish of me. Now you get into
bed right away and get well. Don't worry about me a bit. I know you'd
come if you possibly could. And I know you'll be thinking about me.
Well, I must be off now."

He started toward her, as if to embrace her, then seemed to think better
of it. He turned back at the doorway and said, emphasizing the words,
"You'll be completely alone for the next four hours." He waited for her
nod, then bounced out.

* * * * *

She stood still until his footsteps died away. Then she straightened up,
walked over to where he'd put down the wristwatch, picked it up and
smashed it hard on the floor. The crystal shattered, the case flew
apart, and something went _zing!_

She stood there breathing heavily. Slowly her sagged features lifted,
formed themselves into the beginning of a smile. She stole another look
at the shutters. The smile became more definite. Sh