Suddenly she remembered Harrigan Blood's estimate of the cost of yesterday's luncheon, and of what she had herself turned over with her fork. She thought of what Sassoon spent so carelessly, and of what he might squander were he once awakened, really interested.... Not that there was the slightest temptation,--no--but it did amuse her to consider thus the irony of her present dilemma. Well, there certainly were funny things in life! Snyder had silently cleared away breakfast, and seated herself with a book by the window. Now, glancing at the clock, she rose. "Ready for tub, Petty? I'll start it up." "Snyder, you're too good to me!" said Doré, rousing herself from her reveries. "Huh! Wish I could! Hot or cold?" But Doré, catching her wrist, detained her, her curiosity excited. "You're the queerest thing I ever knew!" she said, looking at her fixedly. "That's right, too!" "Why do you insist upon my calling you Snyder?" "Don't like to get fond of people," said the other shortly. "Why not?" "Too long a story." She sought to detach her wrist, but Doré held it firmly. "And aren't you fond of me?" Snyder hesitated, frowning at thus being forced to talk. "Sure! Couldn't help it, could I?" Doré smiled, pleased at this admission. "And yet, you have such a funny way of watching me!" "Me? How so?" "Yes, you have! I often wonder what's back of a certain queer look you get--" "What I'm thinking?" "Yes!" "I want to see you married and settled, girlie!" No more unexpected answer could have been given. "Heaven forbid!" said Doré, sitting up in astonishment. For this commonplace solution to all the romantic possibilities she imagined always infuriated her. But at this moment Ida Summers came, after a little rippling knock, a grapefruit in hand. The new arrival was in bedroom slippers and pink peignoir, her disordered hair concealed under a tasseled negligee cap. She was a bit roly-poly, but piquant, merry, still new to Salamanderland, hugely enjoying each little excitement. "Breakfasted already?" she said in astonishment. "Heavens! Dodo, how _do_ you get up in the middle of the night?" She began to laugh before she finished the sentence, she laughed so hard as she said it that it was almost incomprehensible, and she continued laughing long after Doré had ceased. She could hardly ever relate an incident without being overcome with laughter, but the sound was pleasantly musical, infectious even, and the blue devils went out the window as she came in the door. "Heavens!... thought I had a swap for a cup of coffee," she said, beginning to laugh again at the thought of her exploded stratagem. "There ought to be some left," said Doré, venturing one rosy foot from under the covers in search of a warm slipper. She was still thinking of Snyder's strange speech.