Janet wondered whether Claude would understand if she confessed that she was actually more interested in the Japanese Exhibition than in the cross-continent air race. But though she kept silent on this point, because she really wanted greatly to go with Claude, she was rather troubled. It was not easy for her to gratify a private desire at the expense of a social obligation. "I don’t like to hurt Robert’s feelings," she said, turning away in her indecision. "Oh, very well, if you don’t wish to come with me!" He flung himself sulkily into a chair. Janet was astonished at his complete change of mood. She might have felt hurt, had she not had a woman’s instinctive weakness for spoiling the man she was fond of. She sat down irresolutely, and reflected that this would be the second time she had broken an engagement with Robert. "It’s idiotic," he said, rising, with a sense of deep injury. "Here is the most sensational race in a century, on a perfectly glorious day. And I’m mad to be with you." "Perhaps Robert is, too," she said, a merry light dancing in her eyes. "Of course, he’s no fool. He’d rather be with a wonderful girl than an ordinary one. But what he wants more even than a wonderful girl is a chopping-block, any chopping-block, for his sociological theories. Why on earth did you leave your home, if all you crave is more instruction, and if the only freedom you want is the freedom to stand on more ceremony than before?" "That has nothing to do with the matter, Claude," said Janet, refusing to ignore the truth simply because it was disagreeable. "Robert may not be offended at finding me away, but he is sure to be offended at finding me rude." "It seems to me that you are far more concerned with Robert’s feelings than with mine," said Claude, changing to a tone of melancholy reproach. "But I really haven’t a good excuse, Claude," she said, troubled, but still indecisive. "I know girls who wouldn’t take two minutes to find an excellent one," he said, with a return of his superior authoritative air. Janet’s temptation was great; greater yet when Claude, in his most handsome and daring manner, drew her out of the chair and put an arm around her waist. "It’s an occasion in a million, Janet. I’ve set my heart on this ride with you. What does it matter what Robert may think, or what anyone may think, as long as we two want so much to be together? You must come. I shall believe you don’t care a straw for me, if you don’t." His flawless form and vibrant voice annihilated argument. With a happy heart but a guilty conscience, Janet dismissed her scruples. On the way out, she stopped in at Number Thirteen to beg Cornelia to smooth matters over with Robert. Cornelia, serene and all smiles again, promised to do her best. *III* Robert came home soon after and, getting no response from Number Fifteen, went to his own room in Kelly’s suite next door.