Toward Martie, too, John soon began to display a peculiar sensitiveness. At first it was merely that she spurred his sense of humour; he began to test the day's events by her laughter. After that her more general opinions impressed him; he watched her at dinner and accepted eagerly her verdict upon political affairs or the books and plays of the hour. She noticed, and was a little touched to notice, that he quoted her weeks after she had expressed herself. He brought her books and they disagreed and argued about them. In summer, with Adele languid under her parasol, and Teddy enchanting in white, they went to the park concerts, or to the various museums, and wrangled about the new Strauss and Debussy, and commented upon the Hals canvases and the art of Meissonier and Detaille. This evening he had a book for her from the Public Library; he had been dipping into it on the elevated train. "Which ticket is this on, John?" "Yours." "Well, then, you paid my dues on the other! How much?" "Six cents." She showed him the six coppers on her white palm. "You were an angel to do it. Listen; do you want to read this when I'm through?" "Well, if you think so." "Think so?--Carlyle's 'Revolution'? Of course you ought to! Adele, isn't he ignorant?" "I read that in High School," smiled Adele. "It's awfully good." "Mis' Ban'ster," Aurora was at the door, "Hainy was cuttin' open the chickens f' t'morrer, and she says one of 'em give an awful queer sort of POP--!" "Oh, for Heaven's sake!" Martie started kitchenward. John Dryden gave a laugh of purest joy; Aurora was one of his delights. "We always say we're going to read aloud in the evenings," she called back. "Now here's a chance--a wet evening, and Adele and I with oceans of sewing!" She went from the kitchen upstairs, finding the various boarders quietly congregating in the hall and parlour, awaiting the opening of the dining-room door. Adele had gone up to her room, but Teddy and John were roaming about. Rain still slashed and swished out of doors. The winter was upon them. "Seems to be such a smell of PAINT," said the younger Miss Peet. "Well, that's just trying out the radiators," Martie said hearteningly. "It won't last. Did you get caught?" "Sister did; I got home just before it started. It seems to me we're having rain early this year--"