"The absurd often happens," said May, and as she said this she took up her knitting again with such a jerk that her ball of wool tumbled to the floor and began rolling; and being a tight ball it rolled some distance sideways from May's chair in the direction of the far distant door. She gave the wool a little tug, but the ball merely shook itself, turned over and released still more wool. "Very well, remain there if you prefer that place," said May, and as she spoke there came a slight noise at the door. Both ladies looked to see who was coming in. It was the Warden. He held a cigar in his hand, a sign (Lady Dashwood knew it) that he intended merely to bid them "Good night," and retire again to his library. But he now stood in the half-light with his hand on the door, and looked towards the glow of the hearth where the two ladies sat alone, each lighted by a tall, electric candle stand on the floor. And as he looked at this little space of light and warmth he hesitated. Then he closed the door behind him and came in. CHAPTER VI MORE THAN ONE CONCLUSION The Warden came slowly towards them over the wide space of carpeted floor. Lady Dashwood, who knew every passing change in his face and manner (they were photographed over and over again in every imaginable style in her book of life), noticed that the sight of herself and May alone, that is, without Gwen--had made him decide to come in. She drew her own conclusions and smiled. "When you pass that ball of wool, pick it up, Jim," she said. She spoke too late, however, and the Warden kicked the ball with one foot, and sent it rolling under a chair. It took the opportunity of flinging itself round one leg, and tumbling against the second. With its remaining strength it rolled half way round the third leg, and then lay exhausted. "I'm not going to apologise," said the Warden, in his most courteous tones. "You needn't do that, my dear, if you don't want to," said Lady Dashwood. "But pick up the ball, please." "If I pick the ball up," said the Warden, "the result will be disastrous to somebody."