“I’m doggoned!” he exclaimed. Evan sighed. This business of making human contacts was more difficult than he imagined. “I--you know--I fancy I _like_ you,” he said. Tubal waved his hands, a fluttering, distracted sort of waving. “’Tain’t licker,” he said to himself. “Must be suthin’ he et....” “Er--we will resume the subject later,” said Evan, “when both of us have more leisure.... Ah, good morning, Simmy. I trust you slept well.... The weather is--ah--satisfactory. Do you not find it so?” Tubal leaned against the press and swallowed three several convulsive times. Then he turned upon Simmy fiercely. “Go wash your face,” he shouted. Evan backed away a step and then beat a retreat. He sat down at his table and leaned his head on his hands. Obviously the thing had not been properly done. The results were quite other than he desired, but why? He had unbent. He had been friendly, made friendly overtures. What was wrong? At this unsatisfactory juncture Carmel entered, looking very young and fresh and dainty. Evan forgot his disappointment for the moment in his delight at seeing her. He stared at her as a hungry child stares in a bakery window. The sensation was highly pleasurable. He detected this and took immediate measures to suppress it. “Miss Lee,” he said, with some hesitation, “I gave careful consideration to your yesterday’s arraignment of myself.” “I’m sorry. I had no intention to wound you, Mr. Pell. I--I hope you will forgive me.” “You did not wound me. Er--quite the contrary.... As I say, I reflected upon what you said. I slept little. Unquestionably you were right.... I have lived in error. My estimate of myself was mistaken. I have, in short, been of negligible value to the world.” “Mr. Pell!” “If you please.... I have reached a determination to revolutionize my life. I shall no longer stand aloof. No. I shall participate in events.... Indeed, I have made a beginning--not altogether auspicious. I essayed to make friends with Tubal this morning, but he seemed not to comprehend my meaning. However, I shall persist.... As to yourself--we are not friends, you and I. You do not rate me highly.... I wish to correct this.” He paused. “As I have been compelled to inform you, I have fallen in love with you.... This moment, as you entered, I glowed with pleasure.... Yesterday I informed you you need expect nothing to come of it. To-day I am in doubt.... I desired to hold myself free from--er--such things as marriage. Doubtless that, also, was a mistake.... I am open-minded.” “You--you--are open-minded!” Carmel gasped out the words. “Exactly. I have determined to allow the emotion to follow its natural course, without interference by myself. Even if it results in marriage with you, I shall not interfere.” “Of all things,” said Carmel.