"Hello, Jerry." "Hello, Bobs." "Got a date?" "No. I was just trying to make up my mind what to do." "I've invited myself to dinner. Let's get Mrs. Biggs to fix us up something and have it here." "Don't you want to go somewhere, where it's gay?" "Noisy, you mean? No. Can't you stand it here?" she added. "It's awful, Bobs," he admitted. "I'll go talk to the Biggs; you light the fire and mix the cocktails," she ordered. When she returned, he was lighting candles, brushing up the hearth, and generally playing host. "All's well, steak in the ice box, and plenty of other things. Jane ordered things kept ready for you all the time, it seems. Just like her, isn't it? I never knew any human being take so much thought for others as Jane does." "Yes, she does." "I don't wonder you miss her." He lifted such tragic eyes to her, that Bobs was startled. "I've got to get used to missing her, Bobs," he said slowly. "What do you mean?" "I think I'm going to lose her," he broke off, unable to finish. "You mean Jane has left you--for good?" "She's gone to decide whether she will or not." "Jerry, what's happened?" "I've just got to talk to somebody, Bobs. I'm nearly crazy with this thing." "Go ahead; I'm safe." "Jane doesn't love me; you know that, just as I know it." "Well, she's been a good wife, hasn't she?" "The best. But there's somebody she does care about." "Martin Christiansen?" "You saw it, too?" "No. I was only afraid of it. They had so much in common. He gave her all the consideration you did not." "Oh, I know I've got no chance with him, but it doesn't make it any easier!" he cried. "How did you know about it?" "They told me. Jane called me in--said there had been an accident--that he had told her he loved her; she was all to pieces. I could see it, I never saw her so upset." "Poor Jane! But why did she go away?" "She said she had to be alone, to make up her mind what she must do." "How like her!" "So she took Baby and Anna and went somewhere-- I don't know where." He dropped his head into his hands, and Bobs said nothing. Her instinct was to comfort him, but she fought it down. "I've been in hell, Bobs," he groaned. "So has Jane, and so has Christiansen," she exclaimed. "I know--I know." "You can't go on forever, Jerry, and escape." He looked up at that. "Your marriage to Jane was the most selfish, cowardly thing any man ever did, and you've got to pay for it sooner or later!" "Why, Bobs, I...." "Don't let's talk about it. I know you, Jerry. I know why you married Jane, and you never gave her part of it one thought. If she's found a great, big, fine man, like Christiansen to really love her, I hope you'll stand out of the way and take your medicine, like a man." "I didn't force her to marry me! What did she do it for?"