“Queer,” Gordon said reflectively.  He eyed James keenly.  “You absolutely know of no reason?”

“I absolutely know of none.  Clemency is the very first girl about whom I have ever thought in this way.  There is nothing in my whole life, past or present, which I could not spread before her like an open book, so far as any fear lest it should turn her against me.”

“I questioned her,” Gordon said, “and she absolutely refused to give me any reason for breaking her engagement.  She simply repeated over and over, ‘I have changed my mind, Uncle Tom.’  I asked her if she had seen anybody else.”

James flushed hotly.  “What did she say to that?”

“She said, ’Whom could I have seen, Uncle Tom?  You yourself know how many men I have seen here, and you know I never see men at Annie’s.’  There is no one else.  You may be sure of that, and also sure that she still cares for you.  I know that from her whole manner.  She has simply taken one of those unaccountable freaks which the best of girls will take.  Just let her alone, and the whole will right itself.  She may have got a sudden scare at the idea of marriage itself, for all I know.  I still cling to the idea that Annie Lipton has been putting ideas into her head, in spite of what you say of her coldness before she went there.  She may have started herself in the path, but Annie helped her further on.”

“Of course I must leave here,” James said gloomily.

Gordon started.  “Leave here?”

“Yes, of course.  Clemency will naturally not wish to have me a member of the household in the existing state of things.”

“Clemency will wish it.  Of course you are going to stay, Elliot.”

“I don’t feel as if I could, Doctor Gordon.”

“Nonsense!”

“It will naturally not be very pleasant for me,” James said, coloring.

“Why not?” asked Gordon irritably.  “You are not a love-sick girl.”

“No, I am not,” James returned with spirit.  “I know I am jilted, but I mean to take, and I think I am taking it, like a man.  If Clemency does not want me, I am sure I do not want her to have me.  And I can stand seeing her daily under the altered condition of things.  I am no milk-sop.  Generally speaking, living under a roof when you are an object of aversion to a member of the household, is not exactly pleasant.”

“You are not an object of aversion.”

“I might as well be.”

Gordon looked at the young man pitifully.  “For God’s sake, then don’t leave me, Elliot,” he said.

James stared at him.  There was so much emotion in his face.

“What do you think my life would be without you?” said Gordon.  “Aside from your assistance, which I cannot do without, you are my only solace, especially since Clemency is in this mood.  Stay for my sake, if it is unpleasant, Elliot.”

“Well, I will stay, if you feel so about it, doctor,” James replied.