'I can't.' Henry was brooding, a tired droop to his mouth, a look of strain about the eyes. He began thinking aloud, rather aimlessly. 'It ain't as if I did that sort of thing. I never asked her to come in. I couldn't very well refuse to talk with her. She suggested the tandem. It did seem like a good idea to get her out of town, if I had to risk being seen with her. I'll admit I got mixed--awfully. I don't suppose I knew just what I was doing. But it was the first time in two years. Hump, you don't know how hard I've----' 'It's the first-time offenders that get most awfully caught,' observed Humphrey. 'But never mind that now. You're caught, Hen. No good explaining. You've just got to live it down.' 'That's what I've been doing for two years--living things down. And look where it's brought me. I'm worse off than ever.' There was a slight quivering in his voice that conveyed an ominous suggestion to Humphrey. 'Mustn't let the kid sink this way,' he thought. Then, aloud: 'Here's a little plan I want to suggest, Hen. You're stale. You're taking this too hard. You need a change.' 'I don't like to leave town, exactly, Hump--as if I was licked. I've changed about that.' 'You're not going to leave town. You're coming over to live with me. Move this afternoon.' Henry seemed to find difficulty in comprehending this. Humphrey, suddenly a victim of emotion, pressed on, talking fast. 'I'll be through by four. You be packing up. Get an expressman and fetch your things. Here's my key. I'll let you pay something. We'll get our breakfasts.' He had to stop. It struck him as silly, letting this forlorn youth touch him so deeply. He gulped down a glass of water. 'Come on,' he said brusquely, 'let's get out.' And on the street he added, avoiding those bewildered dog eyes--'I'm going to reshuffle you and deal you out fresh.' That's all you need, a new deal.' But to himself he added: 'It won't be easy. He is taking it hard. He's unstrung. I'll have to work it out slowly, head him around, build up his confidence. Teach him to laugh again. It'll take time, but it can be done. He's good material. Get him out of that dam boardinghouse to start with.' 7 It was nearly five o'clock when Humphrey reached his barn at the rear of the Parmenter place. He found the outside door ajar. 'Hen's here now,' he thought. He stepped within the dim shop, that had once been a carriage room, called, 'Hello there!' and crossed to the narrow stairway. There was no answer. He went on up. On the rug in the centre of the living-room floor was a heap consisting of an old trunk, a suit-case, a guitar in an old green woollen bag, two canes, an umbrella, and various loose objects--books, a small stand of shelves, two overcoats, hats, and a wire rack full of photographs.