“Well, you’re entirely wrong about _me_,” she said vivaciously. “You have been from the first. You have a ridiculous notion that I am a sort of cavewoman. Why, if I were, would I be talking to you like this now?” Wilfred smiled into the fire. “Oh well, if it amuses you . . . !” said Elaine, shrugging. “You know that big statue of Barnard’s,” she presently went on; “I Feel Two Natures Struggling Within Me”? “All rot!” he said rousing himself. “I imagine that is just a little joke of Barnard’s on the dear public. What he is really portraying is the Triumph of Youth Over Age! It was a favorite subject during the renaissance. . . . Two natures! Life is not so simple! That is merely a theological distinction. Body and soul are _not_ at war with each other. We can’t get anywhere without Body. In the complete life you would find Body and Soul pulling in double harness.” “But is there ever a complete life?” asked Elaine. “Well . . . no! I suppose not!” murmured Wilfred, falling through space. “It is only an ideal. . . .” Their eyes were suddenly drawn together. They exchanged a startled, questioning glance like prisoners beholding each other from separate towers. Forever solitary and wistful. They knew each other then. They hastily looked away, laughing in an embarrassed way; each terrified lest the other might speak of what he had surprised. But neither spoke, and they secretly softened towards each other. After awhile Elaine got up, and switched on the lamps. She glanced at the clock. “There’s a man coming directly,” she said. Wilfred stood up. “Don’t be silly!” said Elaine. “Suppose I _was_ giving you a hint to go, why be in such haste to take it? It’s not very flattering.” “I’ve had my hour,” he said, trying to speak lightly. “You said that just like an actor! Oh, I wish I could teach you how to deal with women!” “Well, if it comes to that, why is it always up to the man?” demanded Wilfred. Elaine opened her eyes. “Well, women have to be won, don’t they?” He spread out his hands. All wrong! All wrong! But he could not dispute her. She had stolen his strength. “Sit down again,” she said. “You ought to know by this time that I never deal in hints. What I have not yet had a chance to say is, I want you to meet this man. An unusual specimen!” Wilfred discovered that he still had reserves of pain. Was _that_ the rôle he was to be called upon to play? Far-off in the great house Wilfred heard the buzz of the door-bell. After an interval the front door opened and closed again with its opulent thud. He entered quickly, thought Wilfred. There were rapid footsteps on the stairs. Coming up two steps at a time. Wilfred’s heart beat suffocatingly. That treacherous heart of his! “It’s Joe Kaplan,” said Elaine, shielding her face from the fire.