have talked with a number of them,
and I know. I had a talk with Mrs. Ring also, and she will remain if
you wish her to do so."

"You're a--a good man, ain't--"

"Aren't!"

"--aren't you, Mr. Gray? You fix everything."

"Not a good, but a convenient man. My specialty is making things easier
for my friends."

"Are these other folks, these rich ones around the hotel, like you?"

"Oh, much nicer than I!" Gray laughed. "You must meet some of them."

Allie's face whitened at this suggestion. "Please, sir--I'm scared!"

"Very well. As you wish. Tell me, what are you going to do with me this
afternoon?"

"I dunno!" Allie looked blank. "I don't do anything but study. I s'pose
I got to study."

"Nothing of the sort. You have circles under your eyes now from
overwork, and this is your vacation. I am a visitor, a restless
visitor; I abhor being asked to make myself at home, and I never do. I
demand amusement. Do you know what I'd like to do best of all?" Allie
did not know. "I'd like to sit here and smoke while you show me all
your pretty dresses. Ah! Those dark eyes brighten. You're dying to show
them to me, aren't you?"

"_Would_ you? Honest?"

"Cross my heart. But remember, I have a color sense and I'm not easily
pleased. I'll probably condemn some of them."

Allie breathed deeply. "Oh, Gee!" she said.

"Run along and try them on, then I'll borrow a pair of puttees and
we'll go for a ride."

For the next two hours Allegheny Briskow was in heaven. Never had she
dreamed of anything like this. To have Calvin Gray alone, all to
herself--Ma, as usual, had disappeared--and to discuss with him
exciting questions of dress and good taste that she could not discuss
with her own people; to meet his occasional hearty approval--well, it
was enough to make a girl drunk with happiness. Gowns that he liked
became precious; she hated those that he condemned. Her fingers grew
clumsy with haste, her cheeks burned. He said she wore her clothes
well, that she carried herself well. He approved of her--liked her! God
above! And to think that she had contemplated suicide! Of course she
was pitifully ignorant as yet, and she had not even learned to talk as
he talked, but there were books. She would study. Oh, the fury with
which she would apply herself after this! She would beat the contents
of those books into her head with her fists, if necessary; she would
show him how fast she could learn; she would astonish him. Her heart
sang