"Nor the brains," interposed Helen Warford, a trifle bitterly. "Nor the kind of brains," amended Darrow. "I have enough of that sort myself," he added. He leaned forward, a hunger leaping in the depths of his brown eyes. "Helen," he pleaded, "can't you see how we need each other?" But the girl shut both her eyes, and shook her head vigorously. "Unless people can be _everything_ to each other, they should be nothing--people like us," said she. Darrow sighed and leaned back. "I feel that way, but the devil of it is I can't think it," said he. Then after a pause: "What is it you want of me, Helen? I'm ready." She sat up straight, and clasped her hands. "It's Jack," said she. "What's the matter with Jack?" "Everything--and nothing. He's just out of college. This fall he must go to work. Father wants him to go into an office. Jack doesn't care much, and will drift into the office unless somebody stops him." "Well?" said Darrow. "An office will ruin him. He isn't in the least interested in the things they do in offices; and he's too high-spirited to settle down to a grind." "He's like you in spirit, Helen," said Darrow. "What is he interested in?" "He's interested in you." "What!" cried Darrow. "Wish it were a family trait." "He thinks you are wonderful, and he knows all about all your adventures and voyages with Doctor Schermerhorn. He admires the way you look and act and talk. I suspect him of trying to imitate you." Helen's eyes gleamed with amusement. [Illustration: "Can't you see how we need each other?"] Darrow smiled his slow and languid smile. "The last time I saw Jack he stood six feet and weighed about one hundred and eight-five pounds," he pointed out. "The imitation is funny," admitted Helen, "but based on genuine admiration." "What do you want me to do with him?" drawled Darrow. "I thought you could take him in with you; get him started at something scientific; something that would interest and absorb him, and something that would not leave all his real energies free for mischief." Darrow leaned his head against the back of the chair and laughed softly. So long did his amusement continue that Helen at length brought him rather sharply to account. "I was merely admiring," then exclaimed Darrow, "the delicious femininity of the proposal. It displays at once such really remarkable insight into the psychological needs of another human being, and such abysmal ignorance of the demands of what we are pleased to call science." "You are the most superior and exasperating and conceited man I know!" cried Helen. "I am sorry I asked you. I'd like to know what there is so silly in my remarks!" "Jack is physically very strong; he is most courageous; he has a good disposition, a gentleman's code, and an eager likable nature. I gather further that he does me the honor of admiring me personally. He has received a general, not a special, college education." "Well!" challenged Helen.