"Nice of you to put it that way, Mr. Penny," she said, trying to appear unconscious of the unmistakable suns in his eyes. "I--I'm not much of a fellow for this kind of thing, but I see I've been making a mistake. A fellow like myself ought to get about more. But most of the--er--er--ladies--young ladies--I have met, if you will pardon my saying it, haven't been the sensible kind like yourself that a fellow could sit down and have a talk with." "I'm not very congenial, either, Mr. Penny, with the boys and girls I am thrown in with. Flora's all right, and Vincent, but I'd rather stay at home with my music or a good book than waste my time with social life. I just ache sometimes for something better." "Well, well," he said, "we certainly agree in a lot of ways. I thought I was the only home body." She was inside the door now, bare arm escaping the cape and out toward him. "Good night, Miss Becker. I--I hope I may be permitted to bring over those dippers some evening." "Why--er--yes, thank you." "Good night." Turning out the hall light, Lilly felt her way carefully upstairs to save creaks. "Lilly, that you?" "Yes." "Tear your dress?" "No." "Turn out the hall light?" "Yes." "Tight? Wait. I'm getting up." "Never mind." But during the process of Lilly's undressing, huddled on the bed edge, arms hugging herself, Mrs. Becker held midnight commune. "Who was there?" "Oh, the usual crowd." "Refreshments?" "The usual." "Anybody admire your dress?" "No." "Don't tell me too much, Lilly. I might enjoy hearing it." "But, mamma, won't it keep until to-morrow? I'm sleepy now, dear." "Who brought you home--Roy?" "A Mr. Penny." "Who? I thought you said only the old crowd was there. It's like pulling teeth to get a word out of you." "A friend of Vincent's. Works at Slocum-Hines's." "Seems to me I've heard your father mention that name. Penny--familiar. Is he nice?" Lilly shuddered into a yawn. In the long drop of nightdress from shoulder to peeping toes, her hair cascading straight but full of electric fluff to her waist, she was as vibrant and as eupeptic as Diana, and as aloof from desire. "Yes, he's nice enough--" "Penny--certainly--familiar name." "--if you like him." "What?" "I say he's nice enough if you like his kind." "Well, Miss Fastidious, I wish I knew who your kind is." "I wish I did too, mamma." Suddenly Mrs. Becker leaned to the door, her voice lifted. "Ben!" "Oh, mamma, he's asleep!" "Oh, Ben!" "Mamma, how can you?" "Y-yes, Carrie." "Isn't that assistant buyer down at Slocum-Hines's, the one you say has thrown some orders in your way, named Penny?" "Mamma, surely that will keep until morning." "Isn't it, Ben?" "Yes, Carrie; but come back to bed." "I knew it! He's one of the coming young men at Slocum-Hines's. Vincent Bankhead swears by him. He throws some fine orders in your papa's way. I knew the name had a ring. Lilly, did he ask to--call?" "Mamma, I'm sleepy." "Did he?" "Yes--maybe--sometime."