It was odd in the extreme. She gave me the reluctant "Jeff," and somehow I wished she hadn't, it came with such difficulty. Something, I was convinced, lay behind it. I did not expect her in the circumstances to be quite collected, but her manner was--I don't know how else to describe it--almost that of a child who has pleaded with authority for permission to bestow one final charity on an undesirable associate.... What! I thought, she also ashamed to know a commissionaire! "When are you going to be married?" I asked, after an awkward pause. "Quite soon," she replied, equally awkward. "As soon as I can get my things ready." She stopped. "I suppose Archie's coming here for you--to-night, I mean?" "No--he's got a man to see--a friend--in Store Street, I think." "Then may I walk along with you?" She seemed to have feared the question. "Oh," she said quickly, "if you don't mind--I've something awfully private to say to Kitty--she and I have arranged to go on together." ("Not wanted," I said to myself.) Aloud, "Well, I hope you'll be happy, Evie," I added. "Thank you," she said again, lifting curiously appealing eyes for a moment. I turned abruptly from her, and sought Kitty, who was still waiting. I had picked up a sudden suspicion, and wished to confirm it. "Ready?" I said, in a tone as matter of fact as I could assume. Again she began to flutter. I couldn't understand what had come over the whole college. "I'm sorry, Jeff," she began, with rapid effusiveness. "If I'd only known you wanted--but I've got to go somewhere." I knew that, Evie had just told me. "Woburn Place, you mean?" "No, dear--somewhere else--quite different." "Really?" I said, incredulously smiling and frowning both at once. "Of course! How funny you are!" I looked searchingly down into her eyes. "I think _you're_ funny," I said slowly. "You really must excuse me, Jeff--if you'd only let me know." But I had had enough of this. Gently but irresistibly I took her arm. "Come along, Kitty," I said quietly. "I particularly want to talk to you." She quailed, but still hung back. "Very well," I said. "Will you tell me where you're going?" She was obstinately silent. "You're going with Evie, of course?" I knew by the little rush with which she spoke that she was telling the truth and was relieved to be able to do so. "Oh no!" she said. "I'm going quite alone, quite alone--honour, Jeff!" "Evie's not going with you--to Store Street or wherever it is?" She stiffened. "I don't know what you mean by Store Street, and I think you've got Evie on the brain," she said. What the devil ailed them all? And why had Evie said she was going with Kitty? As abruptly as I turned away from the one I now turned away from the other. The next moment: "Er--'Jeffries!" I Heard. It was Weston with my five shillings. I turned.