But in place of Baird that afternoon came men and women from the press, and friends and fellow workers. The door-bell and the telephone kept ringing almost incessantly. Why couldn't they leave her a moment's peace? Roger buried himself in his study. Later, when he was called to dinner, he found that Allan was there, too, but at first the conversation was all upon Deborah's victory. Flushed with success, for the moment engrossed in the wider field she saw ahead, she had not a thought for anything else. But after dinner the atmosphere changed. "To hear me talk," she told them, "you'd think the whole world depended on me, and on my school and my ideas. Me, me, me! And it has been me all winter long! What a time I've given both of you!" She grew repentant and grateful, first to her father and then to Allan, and then more and more to Allan, with her happy eyes on his. And with a keen worried look at them both, Roger rose and left the room. * * * * * Baird was leaning forward. He had both her hands in his own. "Well?" he asked. "Will you marry me now?" Her eyes were looking straight into his. They kept moving slightly, searching his. Her wide, sensitive lips were tightly compressed, but did not quite hide their quivering. When she spoke her voice was low and a little queer and breathless: "Do you want any children, Allan?" "Yes." "So do I. And with children, what of my work?" "I don't want to stop your work. If you marry me we'll go right on. You see I know you, Deborah, I know you've always grown like that--by risking what you've got to-day for something more to-morrow." "I've never taken a risk like this!" "I tell you this time it's no risk! Because you're a grown woman--formed! I'm not making a saint of you. You're no angel down among the poor because you feel it's your duty in life--it's your happiness, your passion! You couldn't neglect them if you tried!" "But the time," she asked him quickly. "Where shall I find the time for it all?" "A man finds time enough," he answered, "even when he's married." "But I'm not a man, I'm a woman," she said. And in a low voice which thrilled him, "A woman who wants a child of her own!" His lean muscular right hand contracted sharply upon hers. She winced, drew back a little. "Oh--I'm sorry!" he whispered. Then he asked her again, "Will you marry me now?" She looked suddenly up: "Let's wait awhile, please! It won't be long--I'm in love with you, Allan, I'm sure of that now! And I'm not drawing back, I'm not afraid! Oh, I want you to feel I'm not running away! What I want to do is to face this square! It may be silly and foolish but--you see, I'm made like that. I want a little longer--I want to think it out by myself." * * * * * When Allan had gone she came in to her father. And her radiant expression made him bounce up from his chair. "By George," he cried, "he asked you!" "Yes!" "And you've taken him!" "No!" Roger gasped.