He laid down his hat and turned to her. “All alone?” “All alone,” answered Bob coolly. “Even the housekeeper’s gone to see a sick sister and won’t be back until morning. I guess the caretaker’s in the basement--at least I told him to stay there.” “You going to stay here alone all night?” “Why not? It’s safe as a clock. Bars on mother’s windows and all the front of the house. Safety locks on the doors. Nothing stealable in the house and a telephone and house phone in my room.” “All the same it’s--” “Unconventional? By this time you ought to know I’m the most unconventional person on earth. Women don’t bother about conventions as they used to. We don’t need chaperons at our elbows, thank goodness!” He smiled appreciatively. “Let’s go upstairs to the library,” said Bob, “and tell me what you’ve been doing.” He followed her obediently and they settled themselves in two great soft leather chairs drawn up to a little table, the tray of sandwiches and lemonade between them. “What’s new?” said Bob. “It’s dull as can be. Nothing stirring.” “Who’ve you been seeing?” “Pretty much of nobody. A few stalemates around the club. That’s all.” “Then why stay in town? Why don’t you come down to join your mother? It’s really not bad at Nokomis this year. Dot Lodge has two girls from New York visiting her that are pretty snappy. And we’ve gone in for politics. Formed a Republican club.” “Oh, Lord!” exclaimed Ted. “Torchlight processions and all that? Going to purify politics?” “Maybe--can’t tell.” “Maybe not, probably.” They scuffed around in tawdry repartee, going swiftly through a few motions of convention that seemed to cling to them. But shortly he was sitting on the arm of her chair and then he had her held more closely. For a while she let him fondle her, her cheeks growing hot. Then she returned to her line of attack. “If it’s as dull as you say here you ought to be in the country where we can make it less dull.” “Can’t. Lose my job if I do. The old man said that he’d make no distinction in the office this summer. Me and the hallroom boys--we’ve got to do our eight hours.” “Sure it’s that? Sure it’s not some girl holding you up here?” That pleased him. “So you came up to see me because you’re jealous, did you? Little cat!” He caressed her as he spoke and she did not seem to mind what he said. “No--I’m not jealous. But perhaps I’m lonesome.” “Not this minute you aren’t.” She seemed to purr. “Well, this is nice,” he repeated. “I wish we could stay this way forever. Isn’t it fun to be away from every one?” For answer he kissed her. “I suppose you’re dreadfully shocked by my unconventionality,” said Bob, “but I don’t care. I despise conventions. I think women have a right to do as they please. Anything they please. Women aren’t slaves as they used to be.” She lay back, invoking her vulgar license in the name of the hard won liberties of women, corrupting the words she spoke.