The cooking on the stove, however, had a soothing savor. Luella gave instructions about "which china," and unlocked a bottle of precious chianti from the buffet. Then she went in to kiss young Chuck good night. "Has he been good?" she demanded as he crawled enthusiastically into her arms. "Very good," said the governess. "We went for a long walk over by Central Park." "Well, aren't you a smart boy!" She kissed him ecstatically. "And he put his foot into the fountain, so we had to come home in a taxi right away and change his little shoe and stocking." "That's right. Here, wait a minute, _Chuck_!" Luella unclasped the great yellow beads from around her neck and handed them to him. "You mustn't break mama's beads." She turned to the nurse. "Put them on my dresser, will you, after he's asleep?" She felt a certain compassion for her son as she went away--the small enclosed life he led, that all children led, except in big families. He was a dear little rose, except on the days when she took care of him. His face was the same shape as hers; she was thrilled sometimes, and formed new resolves about life when his heart beat against her own. In her own pink and lovely bedroom, she confined her attentions to her face, which she washed and restored. Doctor Moon didn't deserve a change of dress, and Luella found herself oddly tired, though she had done very little all day. She returned to the living-room, and they went in to dinner. "Such a nice house, Mrs. Hemple," said Doctor Moon impersonally; "and let me congratulate you on your fine little boy." "Thanks. Coming from a doctor, that's a nice compliment." She hesitated. "Do you specialize in children?" "I'm not a specialist at all," he said. "I'm about the last of my kind--a general practitioner." "The last in New York, anyhow," remarked Charles. He had begun rubbing his face nervously, and Luella fixed her eyes on Doctor Moon so that she wouldn't see. But at Charles's next words she looked back at him sharply. "In fact," he said unexpectedly, "I've invited Doctor Moon here because I wanted you to have a talk with him to-night." Luella sat up straight in her chair. "A talk with _me_?" "Doctor Moon's an old friend of mine, and I think he can tell you a few things, Luella, that you ought to know." "Why--" She tried to laugh, but she was surprised and annoyed. "I don't see, exactly, what you mean. There's nothing the matter with me. I don't believe I've ever felt better in my life." Doctor Moon looked at Charles, asking permission to speak. Charles nodded, and his hand went up automatically to his face. "Your husband has told me a great deal about your unsatisfactory life together," said Doctor Moon, still impersonally. "He wonders if I can be of any help in smoothing things out." Luella's face was burning. "I have no particular faith in psychoanalysis," she said coldly, "and I scarcely consider myself a subject for it."