"She usually does! She has done so, I think, for the last year or two." His visitor dropped upon his sofa as with the weight of something sudden and fresh; then from this place, with a sharp little movement, tossed into the fire the end of a cigarette.

Vanderbank offered him another, and as he accepted it and took a light he said: "I don't know what you're doing with me--I never at home smoke so much!" But he puffed away and, seated near, laid his hand on Vanderbank's arm as to help himself to utter something too delicate not to be guarded and yet too important not to be risked.

"Now that's the sort of thing I did mean--as one of my impressions." Vanderbank continued at a loss and he went on: "I refer--if you don't mind my saying so--to what you said just now." Vanderbank was conscious of a deep desire to draw from him whatever might come; so sensible was it somehow that whatever in him was good was also thoroughly personal.

But our young friend had to think a minute.

"I see, I see.