Daily Quard's attentions became more constant, intimate and tender. They were much together, and now far more exclusively together than had been possible in New York, where acquaintances commandeered so much of their time. In Trenton they lodged at the same hotel, the other members of the company finding cheaper accommodations at greater distance from the theatre. This increased their close and confidential association. They fell into the habit of breakfasting together. Quard, always first to rise, would telephone to Joan's room, ascertain how soon she would be dressed, and order for both of them accordingly. In return for this privilege he had that of paying for both meals. A negro waiter spoke of Joan one morning, in her presence, as "the Missus." When he had retired out of earshot, their eyes sought one another's; constraint was swept away in laughter. "We might's well be married, the way we're together all the time," Quard presently ventured. "Oh, I don't know about that," Joan retorted pertly. "I mean, the way other people see us. I shouldn't be surprised if everybody in the hotel thought we was married, girlie." Joan coloured faintly.... "Well, the room-clerk knows better," she said definitely. "I'd like another cup of coffee, please." Quard snapped his fingers loudly to attract the attention of the waiter. He grew aware of an awkward silence: that the thoughts of both were converging to a common point. "Folks are fools that get married in the profession," he observed consciously. "It's all right if you've got a husband or I've got a wife at home--" "I don't see it," Joan interrupted smartly. "Anyway, _I_ haven't. Have you?" The actor stared, confused. "Have I--what?" "Got a wife at home?" Joan repeated, laughing. "No--nothing like _that_!" he asserted with intense earnestness. "I mean, it's all right if you've got somebody keeping a flat warm for you, some place not too far off Broadway; but if you marry into the business--good _night_! You got all the trouble of being tied up for life, and that's all." "Why?" "Managers don't want husband and wife in the same company. They're always fighting each other's battles when they ain't fighting between themselves. So you're always playing different routes, and the chances are they never cross except it's inconvenient and you get caught and nominated for the Alimony Club." "Do you belong?" "Didn't I just tell you nothing like that?" Quard protested with unnecessary heat. "Well," Joan murmured mischievously, "you seem to know so much about it. I only wondered...."