The important thing now was to slur over the affair. A great hurt, an inexplicable wound: a pin prick that somehow had touched his heart--one could not talk of such improbable things. He saw David the next day. “Really, man, why do you insist on foisting such impossible persons on yourself and me?” David squirmed. “I can’t say I like him either. But he seemed begging to come along.” “He is the dullest man I have seen in a year. I didn’t cut short my trip, you know, to dine with your stray cats.” “I suspected you couldn’t go him.... I knew _something_ was the matter....” ... That was long since: that could not happen now. Tom sat over his sleeping friend on the floor and had this thought: “He feels differently now.” Of a sudden a twinge strangely akin to guilt went through him. What was he thinking about indeed? He had wanted to be with David those idle days. David had not had the same wish so strongly since he had spoiled their first evening together. Perhaps now in a like case he might wish more strongly. What was there unusual--guilty--in that? He had no desire to seal David hermetically from the world. Surely he showed the contrary intentions. Was he not introducing him to his friends? David had had a full ten days, and he ten empty ones. Another time, David might be the eager one. What was he troubling himself about?... David lay still and asleep on the floor. David was up, brandishing his arms, and his eyes sleepless as a day after hours of sun. “I am off for a spin.” David was devoted to his bicycle. “What are you doing this afternoon?” Tom seemed to search up and down with his head. “I can’t think of anything.” “Good! Then, you’ll join us on our walk later on. We’re going to Bronx Park: and have a supper of popcorn--three colors--hot-dogs and sauerkraut and ice-cream soda.” “Who are?” “Why, Cornelia and I--and you.” “I don’t like the bill-o’-fare.” David’s face went a shade less light. “Besides,” Tom caught himself, “I have an engagement. I promised to have tea with Mrs. Duffield. Fennido is to be there. She asked me specially to bring you, too.” “You don’t seem to go out as much with Cornelia and me, as you used to.” “My dear fellow, I am getting busier all the time. You know that. If you don’t understand, who should? You know that there goes into a date like this something other than free choice.” He walked up and down. David stood still. “Will you come?” Tom asked. “I have this engagement with Cornelia.... If you ask Cornelia also.” Tom’s eyes dropped. He hummed a few high notes of a popular melody. He found his chair, slapped the Sunday paper into its proper folds on his knees. “One doesn’t take one’s family to these chatters, Davie. Fortunately, since Cornelia would have to be dragged. How unreasonable you are.”