There was a knock on the door; and in response to Elaine’s summons, the one whom they had been discussing entered. A young man who brought with him into everyday affairs, a sharp reminder of that which is timeless. He was quite unconscious of it. A wary and a courteous young man, unabashed in Elaine’s boudoir, yet conveying an intimation that his astuteness was far from being the whole of him. The handsome older man received him all smiles; Elaine’s half glance acknowledged his good looks, but was annihilating in its impersonal quality. Taswell, seeing Joe, stopped just within the door. “Oh, if I am intruding . . .” he began. “Not at all!” said Joe cordially. “The appointment is yours. I was only warming a chair.” Courtesies were exchanged. Joe remained standing. “How are you getting along with your pupil?” he asked. “As well as can be expected,” said Taswell coolly. Joe laughed. “Are you fond of the little rascal?” he asked. “He’s a splendidly healthy child,” answered Taswell. Elaine, not looking at either man, frowned. “What do you do every day?” asked Joe. “We walk out for an hour if it’s fine,” said Taswell; “with such conversation, improving or otherwise, as may suggest itself. If we have to stay in, I read to him as long as he will listen; or help him to build something.” “Don’t you hate to tote a kid around?” asked Joe in his friendly way. “Not in the least!” said Taswell, smiling. Joe laughed indulgently. “It’s not a job I’d fancy.” He moved towards the door. “Got a man waiting down-stairs. Hope to see you again.” The door closed behind him. Taswell’s face betrayed no expression whatever; neither did Elaine’s. She changed from her desk to a more comfortable chair. She was wearing a loose-sleeved black dress which revealed how full of health was her pallor. The young man watched her, while courteously appearing not to do so. “Have a cigarette,” said Elaine, waving her hand in the direction of the big silver box. “Tea will be up directly.” Taswell noticed how the black sleeve fell away from the white arm. He proceeded towards the box. “You are very kind,” he said. “I’m afraid I cannot stay for tea.” “I suppose it is something special,” said Elaine, “since you asked to see me.” He did not answer immediately. He was staring down at the cigarette he had just taken. “I must give up my job, Mrs. Kaplan,” he said quietly. “Oh!” said Elaine, with quickly falling face. “I’m so sorry! . . . I thought you liked it!” “It was a wonderful chance!” he said. “I mean, to be able to earn my living with two hours’ work a day. You see I’m doing a book, biology, from which I can expect no immediate return.” “Then why give up the chance?” “I am doing nothing here.” “But I’m satisfied. I didn’t expect a miracle!” “The child is too young,” said Taswell. “I cannot get hold of him. The two hours a day is a trial to us both.” “Then why did you tell my husband just now that . . .” “Oh, he was simply baiting me,” said Taswell.