He held her more tightly. "Nine-tenths of my troubles would vanish," he said fervently, "and I could work--by heaven, how I should work if I had the inspiration of your company! I wish you weren't such a dear little puritan. I'm half inclined to engage a housekeeper if only to chaperon you." He waited for a rejoinder, but it did not come. "You have such queer ideas about how people should behave," he said. "In fact you are awfully old-fashioned, darling." "Am I--I suppose I am." "Why, the modern girl goes everywhere, bachelor parties and dances--chaperons are about as much out of date as the dodo." "What is a dodo?" "A bird--a sort of duck." She gurgled with laughter. "You funny boy--" "You know Sault, don't you? Isn't he a great friend of yours?" She struggled up out of his arms. "Friend! Of course not. He is a great friend of Christina's but not of mine. He is so old and funny-looking. He has gray hair and he is quite dark--when I say dark, I mean he is not a negro, but--well, dark." "I understand. Not a friend of yours?" "Of course not. There are times when I can't stand him! He doesn't read or write, did you know that? Of course you do--and he has been in prison, you told me that, too. If mother knew she would have a fit. Why do you talk about him, Ronnie?" "I've no special reason, only--" "Only what, has he been talking about me?" "Not to me, of course--he told a friend of mine that he didn't like you to know me. It was a surprise to me that he was aware we were friends. Did you tell him?" "Me--I? Of course not. I never heard of such nerve! How dare he!" "S-sh--don't get angry, darling. I'm sure he meant well. You have to do something for me, Evie dear." "Talking about me--!" "What is the use?" He bent his head and kissed her. "It will be easy for you to say that you've only met me once or twice--and that you are not seeing me any more." "But you--you _will_ see me, Ronnie?" "Surely. You don't suppose that anything in the world will ever come between us, do you? Not fifty Saults." "It is Christina!" she said. "How mean of her to discuss me with Sault! And I've done so much for her; brought her books from the store and given her little things--I do think it is deceitful of her." "Will you do as I ask?" "Of course, Ronnie darling. I'll tell her that I've given you up. But she is terribly sharp and I must be careful. I sleep in the same room, ours is a very small house. I used to have a room of my own until Sault came--the horrid old man. He is in love with Christina. It does seem ridiculous, doesn't it, a man like that? Christina says she isn't, but really--she is so deceitful." "Will you tell her what I suggest?" he insisted. "Yes--I'll tell her. As for Mr. Sault--" "Leave me to deal with Mr. Sault," said Ronnie grandly.