“I'm horribly lonely, Jim. I don't go anywhere, meet anybody, do anything but mope. Nobody comes to see me or take me out. Even you kept away from me till I had to send for you.” “You ordered me off the premises in Newport, if you remember.” “Yes, I did, but I didn't realize that I was mistreating the only admirer I had.” This was rather startling in its possible implications. It scared Dyckman. He gazed at her until her eyes met his. There was something in them that made him look away. Then he heard the gasp of a little sob, and she began to cry. “Why, Charity!” he said. “Why, Charity Coe!” She smiled at the pet name and the tenderness in his voice, and her tears stopped. “Jim,” she said, “I told Doctor Mosely all about my affairs, and I simply spoiled his day for him and he dropped me. So I think I'll tell you.” “Go to the other extreme, eh?” said Jim. “Yes, I'm between the devil and the high-Church. I've no doubt I'm to blame, but I can't seem to stand the punishment with no change in sight. I've tried to, but I've got to the end of my string and--well--whether you can help me or not--I've got to talk or die. Do you mind if I run on?” “God bless you, I'd be tickled to death.” “It will probably only ruin your evening.” “Help yourself. I'd rather have you wreck all my evenings than--than--” He had begun well, which was more than usual. She did not expect him to finish. She thanked him with a look of more than gratitude. “Jim,” she said, “I've found out that my husband is--well--there's a certain ex-dancer named L'Etoile, and he--she--they--” Instead of being astounded, Dyckman was glum. “Oh, you've found that out at last, have you? Maybe you'll learn before long that there's trouble in France. But of course you know that. You were over there. Why, before you came back he was dragging that animal around with him. I saw him with her.” “You knew it as long ago as that?” “Everybody knew it.” “Why didn't you tell me?” “Because I'm a low-lived coward, I suppose. I tried to a dozen times, but somehow I couldn't. By gad! I came near writing you an anonymous letter. I couldn't seem to stoop to that, though, and I couldn't seem to rise to telling you out and out. And now that you know, what are you going to do about it?” “That's what I don't know. Doctor Mosely wanted me to try to get him back.” “Doctor Mosely's got softening of the brain. To think of your trying to persuade a man to live with you! You of all people, and him of all people! Agh! If you got him, what would you have? And how long would you keep him? You can't make a household pet out of a laughing hyena. Chuck him, I say.” “But that means the divorce-court, Jim.” “What of it? It's cleaner and sweeter than this arrangement.” “But the newspapers?”