"A mere cold in the head is nothing to worry about. He will probably be here, today, as fresh as ever. That is, if the quinine he took last night permits him to see straight." Eleanor laughed in order to show her friend how unconcerned she was about anything which might have happened at the Latimers. "Had you seen him, with his feet in boiling water and mustard, his face coated with vaseline, his eyes like Bear Forks, and his temper like a sore hyena's, you wouldn't sit there and say he'd be fresh as ever today," Polly retorted with a reminiscent smile. "It's a wonder to me that he permitted you to visit him after he had been doctored by his mother as you say he was," returned Eleanor, musingly. "He never would have, Nolla, had I not marched right into the room without his being aware of my presence. I never even knocked, because his mother told me he was in her dressing-room, off the large room. I waited in the large room until I heard him speak, then I pretended to be surprised and pleased to find him there." Eleanor laughed. "Yes, I can see you pretend anything, Poll. I just know your face was as serious as crepe, and your pretence a thing any child could see through." "Now, Nolla, you are all wrong! I can prove it. But the great trouble is, how shall I get out of what Tom believes to be true? I pretended so well that I almost fooled myself into believing that I was doing right. This morning I know it is not true," said Polly, impatiently. Eleanor now felt her curiosity rising for she realized she was on the verge of hearing what had caused Polly's concern. But she knew she must be circumspect in her replies, or her friend would take alarm and not say a word. "Polly, there speaks the born actress. When on the stage, acting in a play, the artiste is carried away by her own depth of feeling and faith in the truth of what she is saying or doing. Now, you see, you did the same and that proves you should study stage-craft instead of interior decorating." Eleanor spoke in a jocular tone. Polly smiled at her friend, but she was too preoccupied with her problem to pay attention to Eleanor--whether she was in earnest or whether she was speaking in fun. Suddenly Polly asked: "Nolla, are you engaged to Paul?" Eleanor was taken off her feet. She never dreamed of having Polly ask her bluntly about her private interests in any one. "W-h-y, n-o-o--not ex-actly!" stammered she in reply. Polly sat and stared at her companion as if to search out the truth. Then she said: "Have you any idea of being engaged within the next year or two?"