As he waited his nervousness increased. It suddenly occurred to him that to greet Kate with a flourish of the new Fedora, and hand her into the waiting taxi might create a scandal in the eyes of her fellow workers. Indeed he was not at all sure but that she might turn him down flat. At the same time he began to worry about the yellow gloves and the yellow stick--a thought too conspicuous for Centre street, perhaps. Finally he went to the cab and, unobtrusively dropping the stick inside, paid the man off and let him go. He then thrust the gloves and the boutonnière in his pocket, and felt much better. When Kate finally did come down-stairs, her first glance overlooked the new clothes entirely, and went straight to his eyes. Seeing the beaming smile there, her eyes fell demurely. Then did she perceive the finery from the feet up, but was too well bred to make any comment. Jack was obliged to ask her very off-hand: "Notice any change?" "You look very nice to-day." "Oh, I got tired going round like a rag-picker!" She made no further remark, and Jack who had counted on creating more of an effect than this, felt a little aggrieved. You never could get any change out of this girl, he reflected. But just let her wait! She was due to be surprised for once in her young life! At the corner he held her in talk for a moment, while he searched for a taxi out of the tail of his eye. "Let's not go to Geiger's to-day." "Geiger's is all right." "I'm sick of the joint!" "It's as good as any of the places around here." "Let's go down-town." "But you know I only have an hour." A taxi came bowling through from the Bowery with its little "vacant" flag raised. Jack held up a finger. It drew up beside them with squealing brakes, and the chauffeur opened the door. Kate who had not observed Jack's signal, turned her back on it. "Get in," said Jack. That was when she received her first shock. Her eyes opened very wide. "Why, Mr. Norman!" she began. "Get in!" said Jack so peremptorily, that in her state of fluster she actually obeyed. "Café Savarin," said Jack to the chauffeur. The cab started with a jerk, throwing them back on the cushions. "Let me out!" she said--but not very strongly. He affected not to hear. There was a delicious satisfaction in seeing the self-possessed little lady overcome with confusion, if only for a moment. "To-morrow I'll come for you in my own car," he said, nonchalantly. "Are you crazy?" she murmured, really alarmed. He laughed. "Can't I have a car as well as anybody?" "But I thought--that is--you always said----" "That I was as poor as Job's turkey, eh? Only a stall. I just worked for Fisher for the sociological experience. I don't have to work really." She looked at him with troubled eyes. He couldn't resist the temptation to tease her a little. "My old man's a multi-millionaire," he rattled on. "Of course I get sick of that life sometimes, and scout about a bit."