s own thoughts just now, so, when he agreed, she sent
him downstairs.

First balm, indeed, had come to the man; the smart was less intense. To
put his trouble into words somehow lightened it; then, too, the
grateful knowledge that some warmth of sympathy was his made it easier
to bear. But it remained a cruel burden. That gentle, dreamy soul up
yonder could not know how it hurt. How could she understand, for
instance, what it meant to go back and face the deadly dull routine of
a life from which all zest, all interest, had fled? A routine broken
only by moments of downright torture. Yes, and the effort it would take
to smile! God! If there were only some way to break his fetters, slip
his gyves!

Gray's brain, like his body, had grown tired and feverish. To be sure,
little more than a day had gone by since he had sallied forth like a
knight, but it seemed a year, an age, and every hour brought a new and
keener distress. He found it possible now, for the first time, to relax
a bit physically, so he closed his eyes and lay back in an easy chair
while the twilight stole in upon him. Sooner or later his mind, too,
would cease its torment, for pain distils its own anodyne. Then he
would sleep. It would be a blessing to forget for even an hour, and
thus gain strength with which to carry on the fight. But what a useless
battle it was! He could never win; peace would never come.

He heard Allie enter the house, but he did not stir. He would have to
put on the mask soon enough, for, of course, she must never suspect, on
Buddy's account. The room, which had grown agreeably dark, was suddenly
illuminated, and he lurched to his feet to find the girl facing him
from the door. She was neither startled nor surprised at his presence,
and when he tried to smile and to greet her in his accustomed manner,
she interrupted him by saying:

"I knew you were here."

"So? Then Ma is awake again?"

Allie shook her head vaguely. "I knew you were here the minute I came
in. I can 'most always tell." There had been a shadow of a smile upon
her lips, but it vanished; a look of growing concern crept over her
face. "What's the matter? Whatever has happened, Mr. Gray?"

"Why, nothing. I was feeling tired, worn out. Indulging myself in a
thoroughly enjoyable fit of the blues." His voice broke when he tried
to laugh.

Allie uttered a quick, low cry, a wordless, sympathetic sound. Her dark
eyes widened, grew darker; she came forward a step or two