"You heard my end of the conversation," Billy said blandly. "You can deduce hers from it." "There was something about your end of the conversation that sounded queer to me somehow. It was odd that Central should have returned your nickel to you after you had talked so long." "Yes, wasn't it?" Billy asked innocently. "Well, I suppose mistakes will happen in the best regulated telephone companies." "I like you," Billy said contentedly, as the lights of the avenue strung themselves out before them. "I like walking down this royal thoroughfare with you. You're a kind of a neutral girl, but I like you." "You're a kind of ridiculous boy." "Don't you like me a little bit?" "Yes, a little." "What did you get engaged to me for if you only like me a little?" "Ought not to be engaged to you. That's one of the things I want to talk to you about." "Well, you are engaged to me, and that's one of the things I don't care to discuss--even with you." "Oh! Billy," Caroline sighed, "why can't we be just good friends and see a good deal of each other without this perpetual argument about getting married?" "I don't know why we can't, but we can't," Billy said firmly. "What was the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?" "Nancy's affairs. The reckless--the criminal way she is running that restaurant, and the unthinkable expenditure of money involved. I can't sleep at night thinking of it." "And I thought this was going to be a pleasant evening," Billy cried to the stars. "I wish you'd be serious about this," Caroline said. "Nancy's the best friend I have in the world, and she doesn't seem to be quite right in her mind, Billy. Of course, I approve of a good part of her scheme. I believe that she can be of incalculable value as a pioneer in an enterprise of this sort. Her restaurant is based on a strictly scientific theory, and every person who patronizes it gets a balanced ration, if he has the good sense to eat it as it's served." "And not leave any protein on his plate," Billy murmured. "I don't even mind the slight extra expenditure and the deficit that is bound to follow her theory of stuffing all her subnormal patrons with additional nourishment. That is charity. I believe in devoting a certain amount of one's income to charity, but what I mind about the whole proceeding is the crazy way that Nancy is running it. She's not even trying to break even. She orders all the delicacies of the season--no matter what they are. She's paid an incredible amount for the new set of carved chairs she has bought for up-stairs. You'd think she had an unlimited fortune behind her, instead of being in a position where the sheriff may walk in upon her any day." "Handy men to have around the house,--sheriffs. I knew a deputy sheriff once that helped the lady of the house do a baby wash while he was standing around in charge of the place. All the servants had deserted, and--"