With my vision obstructed, the soft tones of her voice seemed to take an added significance. "I came," she purred, "because, Jerry, I couldn't stay away." And then, after a pause, her voice even more silken, "You don't seem very glad to see me." "I--I--your appearance surprised me." "But now that the surprise is over--_are_ you glad to see me?" she asked. A pause and then I heard him mutter. "I didn't suppose that--after yesterday _you_ would want to see _me_." "Yesterday," she sighed, "twenty-four hours--an age! The surest proof that I wanted to see you is that I'm here, that I ran away from a house full of people, just to tell you--" "Is Channing Lloyd still there?" he broke in harshly. "Yes, Jerry, he is. But doesn't it mean anything to you that I left him, to come to you?" "You broke your promise--to give him up--" "Why, Jerry, I _had_ to invite him to my dance. It would have been a slight." "But you promised. He's a--" "But I've known him for ages, Jerry. I can't be impolite." "He's not polite to you, to me, or anybody. I told you I wanted you to give him up." "You're fearfully exacting," she said, modulating her voice softly. "He's a cad. I can't understand your inviting him. His very look is an insult, his touch a desecration. I don't like the way he paws you." "Of course, he--he means nothing by it," she said soothingly. "It's only his way." "But I don't like his way and I don't like him. I've told you so a good many times." "You make it very difficult for me. It would have been insulting not to have asked him. We've been very good friends until you came." "It's a pity I came, then. You've got to choose between us. I've told you that before." "Why, Jerry, I _have_ chosen," she said, her voice softening suspiciously. "How could I ever think of anybody else now that I have you? It's so _absurd_ of you to be jealous of Chan. He's not like you, of course, and his manner is a little rough, but he really isn't _nearly_ so terrible a person as you think he is." She sighed. "But if you insist, I suppose I shall have to give him up." "Is it painful to you?" he muttered. She laughed. "You silly boy, of course not. I _will_ give him up. There! Does that settle that matter?" "I thought it was settled before." "It was--but--" She paused. "I don't see how you could want to be with a man I don't like--" "I don't care for him, Jerry, really I don't. Won't you believe me?" "I'll believe you when you give him up." She sighed again, her voice breaking effectively. "Oh, dear! Do you want me to give up _all_ my friends? And is it quite fair?" "I haven't asked you to give up any of your friends, but Lloyd--"