"What ails that old dame, anyhow?" he inquired, after recounting Ma's peculiar behavior. "Not a thing in the world except money," the clerk declared. Doubtfully Mr. Delamater shook his handsome auburn head. "People with good sense don't act like that. She was doing an Isadora Duncan when I saw her. Dancing--if you care to call it that! Anyhow, her hair was hanging, she was flapping her arms and jiggling up and down." Delamater laughed at the memory. "There's a big, awkward bird--sort of a crane or buzzard of some kind--that dances. I never saw one, but she reminded me of it. And she _sang_! Gee! it was fierce!" "Did she see you?" "Scarcely. I don't mind being alone with Allie"--Delamater's teeth shone in a smile, then, seeing his reflection in a convenient mirror, he studied it with complacent favor. He tried the smile again, and, getting it to his better satisfaction, concluded--"don't mind it a bit, but a bosky dell with a mad woman is my idea of no place to be." "Allie?" The clerk lifted his brows. "So--'_Allie_'! Has it gone as far as that, Del?" "Oh, you know how it is! A lesson every day, soft music, arm around the waist, a kind word. The girl is human. I'm probably different to anything that ever came into her young life. Look at my wardrobe! She's not so bad to take, either, and yet--" The immaculate speaker frowned. "Father smells like a horse, and mother's a nut! Gee! It would take some coin to square that." "That's one thing they've got," asserted the clerk. "Nothing but!" Mr. Delamater debated further. "Think of marrying The Powerful Katrinka! I'll admit it has its points. If anything went wrong with the bank roll Allie could make a good living for both of us. Suppose, for instance, the old Statue of Liberty slipped and fell. Allie could jump over to Bedloe's Island and take a turn at holding the torch. Ifi they've got the coin you say they have, I think I'll have to see more of her." "You won't see any more than you do. She's hitting on all four." "What is she up to all day?" "I don't know. Working, studying, exercising. Rehearsing for the movies, I guess. She has worn that companion of hers down to a frazzle. She has her own masseuse in the bath department, she rides a horse three days a week, and every morning she takes a long walk--" "I've got it!" Mr. Delamater slapped his thigh. "Road work! She's getting ready to take on Dempsey." He laughed musically. "If she marries me her days of labor will be over; it will mean for her the dawn of a new life--provided, of course, those oil wells are what you say they are. Kidding aside, though, I don't dislike the girl and--I've a notion to give her a chance."