Meet me at the nearest gate." He went out hurriedly; and as Stephen followed him, after the delay of a few minutes, he found himself face to face with Patty, who was coming from "the blue room" on the opposite side of the hall.
"I hope you got what you came for," she said gaily.
"I came for nothing," he retorted lightly, "and I'm sure I got it." "Well, that won't matter so much since it wasn't for yourself," she mocked.

"Nobody ever wants anything for himself in politics.

Father could tell you that." "He told me a good many things--but not that." "Did he tell you," she inquired daringly, "why he is falling out with Julius Gershom ?" "Is he falling out with him ?" "Didn't you see it--and hear it--when you came in ?" "I suspected as much; but after all it was none of my business." "And you confine your curiosity to your own business ?" "Not entirely," he answered, and wondered if she were experimenting with the letter "C".

"For instance I am curious about you." Her eyes challenged him with their old defiance.

"And I am certainly not your business." "I admit that you are not--but that does not decrease my curiosity." For a moment her smile grew wistful.