"Ample," urged Mr. Opp; "it's just a little necessary transaction, as it were." Mrs. Gusty reluctantly consented. "You go on in the parlor, then," she said. "I'll be in as quick as I can. You won't more than have time to get started, though." Mr. Opp passed into the parlor and hung his hat on the corner of a large, unframed canvas that stood on the floor with its face to the wall. The room had evidently been prepared for a visitor, for a fire was newly kindled and a vase of flowers adorned the table. But Mr. Opp was not making observations. He alternately warmed his cold hands at the fire, and fanned his flushed face with his handkerchief. He was too nervous to sit still, yet his knees trembled when he moved about. It was only when he touched the little packet of letters in his breast pocket that his courage revived. At last Mrs. Gusty came in with a rustle of garments suggestive of Sunday. Even in his confusion Mr. Opp was aware that there was something unusual in her appearance. Her hair, ordinarily drawn taut to a prim knot at the rear, had burst forth into curls and puffs of an amazing complexity. Moreover, her change of coiffure had apparently affected her spirits, for she, too, was flurried and self-conscious and glanced continually at the clock on the mantel. "I'll endeavor not to intrude long on your time," began Mr. Opp, politely, when they were seated side by side on the horse-hair sofa. "You--er--can't be in total ignorance of the subject that--er--I mean to bring forward." He moistened his lips, and glanced at her for succor, but she was adamant. "I want to speak with you," he plunged on desperately--"that is, I thought I had better talk with you about Mr. Hinton." "Who?" blazed forth Mrs. Gusty in indignant surprise. "Mr. Hinton," said Mr. Opp, breathlessly, "a young friendly acquaintance of mine. Wants to get board for the summer, you know; would like a nice, quiet place and all that, Mrs. Gusty. I thought I'd consult you about it, Mrs. Gusty, if you don't mind." She calmly fixed one eye upon him and one upon the clock while he went into particulars concerning Mr. Hinton. When he paused for breath, she folded her arms and said: "Mr. Opp, if you want to say what you come to say, you haven't got but four minutes to do it in." "Oh, yes," said Mr. Opp, gratefully, but helplessly; "I was just coming to that point. It's a matter--that--er--well you might say it is in a way pertaining--to--" "Guin-never!" snapped Mrs. Gusty, unable longer to stand his hesitation. "I'd have been a deaf-mute and a fool to boot not to have known it long ago. Not that I've been consulted in the matter." She lifted a stiffened chin, and turned her gaze upward.