At the corner he stopped a policeman. “I am looking for a boarding house on this street--No. 23, West.” “Maybe it’s the next street; that same number is a boarding house. All in this block are private houses except the hospital.” Glenn thanked him and went on quickly. She’d made a mistake in the street maybe. It would soon be too late to call. He did not need to inquire again, for as he turned the corner he could see Esther Powel on the steps, looking out upon the square ablaze with light and confusion. “It is Mr. Glenn.” With the words she sprang three steps at a time to the pavement. “How glad I am!” And then she stopped, remembered, and held out her hands. “How you frightened me. You had me going to the hospital to find you. That’s the same number on the next street.” “Well, how do you expect me to get things right when I feel like I’m flying every way and can’t get myself together to light?” Glenn always found her startling figures amusing. “You will feel that for awhile.” He hadn’t taken his eyes away from her as she led the way into the parlor. “You are stunned by the novelties. You will also be quickened by them.” Esther, full-breasted, slender-limbed, rounded. The joy of life was upon her--the loveliness of full bloom. “It’s good to see you again,” he said, “but why didn’t you let me help you get settled?” “It took enough of your time to write that discouraging letter.” “You know I didn’t mean it for that. I would do most anything to further your art. But it is best to do only that for what we are intended. Nobody could know that as well as yourself. I believed your decision would be right, whatever it was,” he told her. “Are you pleased with your advancement so far?” “Not pleased--buoyed. I hope to do something some day.” As she raised her eyes to him they expressed something of the wild, delicate, throbbing pride. “I did not come to fail.” “I believe that, from the good reports I have heard through our old friend, your professor.” “He was very nice to me; it was through him that I knew about the Frenchman who will instruct me here.” “So you’ve arranged all that, too.” “Oh, yes; I begin my lessons next Monday.” “Smart girl. How are you situated here; are you comfortable?” “Comfortable!” she laughed. “I have to come downstairs to draw a good breath. They stow me away in a sort of a garret on the fourth floor. As Cousin John would say, there isn’t room to ‘cuss’ a cat without turning sideways.” “I believe your Southern men are more given to profanity than Northerners,” he said. “Oh, but his is so whole-souled that it is only ‘profunity.’” “Oh, dear; don’t think that I’m opposed to it,” Glenn interrupted. “I sometimes find relief in a good, wholesome--” Esther held up a warning forefinger. “Then you may do mine for me. I shall need it if I stay here long enough.” “Boarding house life is a miserable parody on home, I know. But we can stand most anything for a while if the incentive is great enough.”