The play-boy drew a deep breath. The worst was over, and it wasn’t nearly as bad as he had feared it would be. Either she didn’t care, any more than a friendly soul should care, or she had more adamantine self-control than had fallen to the share of any other woman he had ever known. “I’m going up after him to-night,” he said. “When I get him back here you’ll have to help me.” “Of course--if I can,” she agreed. “But if it is as I think it is, I’m afraid neither of us will be able to help him very much.” “Why do you say that?” “Just because he is what he is. Some people have to be helped; they can’t get up unless they are helped. But there are others--and Philip is one of them--who have to fight their way back the best they can, alone. It’s hard to think of it that way, for a--for a friend. But it is true.” Bromley forced himself to smile. “You are a very wise little woman, much wiser than your years call for. But see here--you’re not eating enough to keep a kitten alive. How do you expect to be able to work if you don’t eat?” “I’m not as hungry as I thought I was. It’s the hot weather, maybe.” “Couldn’t you eat another cream puff if I should order it?” “No, thank you. Besides, my time is up. I know it isn’t nice to eat and run, but if you _will_ invite a working girl out to luncheon, you’ll have to take the consequences.” He walked back to the door of the millinery shop with her and at the moment of parting she said, “You’ll be gentle with Philip when you find him, won’t you? It won’t do any good to be the other way.” “I shall take him by the neck,” he threatened good-naturedly, adding: “He’s old enough and man enough to have better sense.” Then: “I’m going to be fearfully busy this afternoon. Do you suppose Mysie could pack my grip for me if I should send a messenger after it with a note?” “Mysie would be dreadfully humbled if she could hear you ask such a thing as that,” she smiled. “She isn’t the child you seem to persist in believing her to be. She will be sixteen in a few days. How long do you think you will be away?” “Heaven knows; no longer than I can help, you may be sure. Good-by; take care of yourself, and don’t work too hard. If you want to do anything for me while I’m gone, just say a little prayer or two. It runs in my mind that I may need all the help I can get. Good-by.”