During these afternoon calls he talked much, laughed loudly, and by his manner would have it that Dorothy and he were on cheeriest terms.

Storri made no headway; Dorothy met his laughter with a cool reserve that baffled while it left him furious.
Storri essayed the sentimental, and came worn with homesickness.

He was near to tears as he related the imaginary sickness of a mother whom he had invented for the purpose.

Dorothy's cool reserve continued.

She sympathized, conversationally, and hoped that Storri would hurry to his expiring parent's side.
Storri, like Richard, craved a rose and got it; but he fastened it upon his lapel himself.
On Storri's fourth call Bess Marklin came in.