“I don’t know,” Hobart said; and he quoted an ancient bit of slang: “There might be others!” She shook her head. “Not like him!” “Are you sure, Julietta?” He gave her a quick and serious look that increased her surprise. “You might at least take a glance round you to see.” “What on earth are you talking about, Hobart Simms?” At that he gave her another quick glance—a personal glance, as it might have been defined, since to Julietta it seemed to convey an unexpected feeling concerning herself and himself. Then he looked wistfully away, and when he spoke, a moment later, his voice had not the briskness customary in his speech;—it was, on the contrary, perceptibly unsteady. “Julietta, I’ve been—well, don’t you suppose a man might some day get a little tired of being—I mean to say, here I am with you, day after day—yet really _not_ with you. You’re so busy noticing old John all the time, you never take time off to be a little friendly with anybody else.” She caught her breath, staring at him wonderingly. “But you—you never showed me you wanted me to,” she said, slowly. “Didn’t I?” He turned to her, smiling, and as he spoke he removed the paper wrappings of the small packet. “Other people might want to do some of the ‘little thoughtful things’ too—if they ever got a chance.” He put into her hand the green velvet box that had been inside the wrapping, and she opened it curiously;—then suppressed an outcry. “Good Heaven!” she gasped, and stared at him. “Of course you know I couldn’t accept a thing like _this_!” “Why not? You would from John.” “But——” “You’re wearing the one he gave you.” “Yes, but _this_——” “It’s nothing,” he said. “Of course, if you don’t like it——” Sorrowfully he extended his hand to take back the little green velvet box from her; but she retained it and stood staring at him, amazed and also profoundly thoughtful. Like Hobart, she was a person who could make quick decisions. “I never dreamed of this,” she said. “I thought you only came along with us because you thought it was a good course and because John asked you.” “And he asked me because you made him,” Hobart added. “And the reason you did was because you wanted me for a chaperon.” She laughed excitedly. “You don’t seem contented with the rôle, I must say!” “How could I?” “I never dreamed!” she said, and she looked at the watch upon her wrist and at that in the green velvet box. “Queer!” she laughed. “Now I have two!” “Would you mind wearing mine?” Hobart asked, and he laughed with her. “But he’ll see it!” Hobart’s laughter became gayer and louder. “What if he does?” “Perhaps you’re right,” Julietta said, and as she took the magnificent tiny miracle from the box, there began to shine in her eyes an exultation that could be ruthless. “Perhaps I’d better wear yours and keep his in my pocket.”