Here Spike, having once again staved off the inevitable explanation, grew hilarious, and they laughed and talked the while they ate and drank with youthful, healthy appetites. And what a supper that was! What tongue could tell the gaiety and utter content that possessed them all three? What pen describe all Hermione's glowing beauty, or how her blue eyes, meeting eyes of grey would, for no perceptible reason, grow sweetly troubled, waver in their glance, and veil themselves beneath sudden, down-drooping lashes? What mere words could ever describe all the subtle, elusive witchery of her? And Spike--ate, of course, in a blissful silence for the most part and whole-heartedly, his attention centred exclusively upon his plate; thus how should he know or care how often, across that diminished turkey, grey eyes looked into blue? As for Ravenslee, he ate and drank he knew and cared not what, content to sit and watch her when he might--the delicious curves of white neck and full, round throat, the easy grace of movement that spoke her vigorous youth; joying in the soft murmurs of her voice, the low, sweet ring of her laughter, and thrilling responsive to her warm young womanhood. "But Mr. Geoffrey," she enquired suddenly, "if you hate Mulligan's as much as I do, whatever made you choose to live here?" "A thrice blessed fate," he answered, "I came because--er--" "You were a poor, lonely guy," added Spike hastily. "Precisely, Spike! Compared to my sordid poverty Lazarus was rich, and as for the loneliness of my existence the--er--abomination of desolation was a flowery garden!" "And how did you happen to meet Ar--" A plate crashed to pieces on the floor, and turning, she beheld Spike very red and rueful of visage. "'Fraid I've bent a plate, Hermy," he explained, and winking desperately at Ravenslee, he stooped to gather up the fragments. "Oh, Arthur, and we have so few--" "Yes, I know--but it's only the old cracked one, Hermy." "You've broken an awful lot of things lately, boy dear," she sighed. "Never mind--get on with your supper, dear." "Oh, I'm all right, but what about you? Gee, Hermy, you sure do talk!" "Do I, dear?" "Well, I guess! You keep on at poor old Geoff so he don't get a chance for a real proper chew." "But then you see," said Ravenslee, "I would much rather talk than eat--sometimes." "But say, Geoff--" "Miss Hermione, you were asking how I met--" "Hey, Geoff!" said Spike hoarsely. "How I met your brother," continued Ravenslee, silencing the boy with a look. "Miss Hermione, I'll tell you full and freely." Here Spike took a gulp of tea and choked, also his brow grew clammy, and he stared with dilating eyes at Ravenslee, who began forthwith: