"No, of course not. He hates it. He almost shudders when I tell him how lovely it is to have a son and daughter to live with. But I suppose he thinks it is his duty to stick, just as they think it is theirs to make him stick. People are so absurd, aren't they?" "Yes, very," he said soberly, his eyes intent on Eveley's hair curling so tenderly about her ears. And he was really thinking how very absurd it was that a rising young lawyer should find it so tempting to touch that bit of curl, and to kiss it. Very absurd indeed! "Are you thinking of something?" she asked hopefully, looking into his earnest eyes. "Yes, indeed." And he forced his eyes away from the distracting curls. "Yes, indeed I am." "What is it?" she begged, leaning toward him and slipping her fingers with childish eagerness into his hand. "Why--just tempt him," he stammered. "Tempt him, Nolan. 'Holy Mackinaw,' as Father-in-law says, what do you mean, tempt him?" In this predicament, Nolan was forced to concentrate. Why in the world had he said, "Tempt him?" The temptation of Eveley had nothing whatever to do with father-in-laws and the adjustment of duty. But Eveley expected him to produce a tangible and reasonable explanation. "Why, just tempt him, Eveley. You know what temptation is, don't you? Then do it." This was merely playing for time, seeking for illumination. "Just--keep it always before him, you know--how nice it would be to get off alone and be independent." Nolan was a lawyer, and having forced a foothold, he made it secure. "Tempt him with freedom, talk to him about the joys of privacy, unrestrained intercourse with his whiskered crony, the delights of unlimited liver and onions, a bed in the sitting-room, meals by the kitchen fire, and a jar of tobacco on every chair. See? Tempt him until he can't stand it." Eveley looked at him appraisingly. "Nolan Inglish, you are a whole lot cleverer than I ever thought you were. That is real talent. You have found the adjustment this time. I feel it." Nolan, intoxicated with the warmth of her voice, the subtle flattery of word and tone, rushed on. "Let's find him a house, just a bit of a shack with a little garden and a mangy dog, and then razzle him with the vision of independence, and show him the house." Then Eveley stood up. "Will you help me do this, Nolan? You get nicer every day of your life." And Nolan, except for the presence of Kitty, would surely have said what he had no earthly business to say to Eveley yet--until circumstances and the Senior Member made it justifiable.