“Duane, she will not.  I—­she said some things—­she is morbid, I tell you—­and curiously innocent—­in her thoughts—­concerning herself and you.  She says she can never marry.”

“Exactly what did she say to you?”

Kathleen hesitated; the intimacy of the subject left her undecided; then very seriously her pure, clear gaze met his: 

“She will not marry, for your own sake, and for the sake of any—­children.  She has evidently thought it all out....  I must tell you how it is.  There is no use in asking her; she will never consent, Duane, as long as she is afraid of herself.  And how to quiet that fear by exterminating the reason for it I don’t know—­” Her voice broke pitifully.  “Only stand by us, Duane.  Don’t go away just now.  You were packing to go; but please don’t leave me just yet.  Could you arrange to remain for a while?”

“Yes, I’ll arrange it....  I’m a little troubled about my father—­” He checked himself.  “I could run down to town for a day or two and return——­”

“Is Colonel Mallett ill?” she asked.

“N-no....  These are rather strenuous times—­or threaten to be.  Of course the Half-Moon is as solid as a rock.  But even the very, very great are beginning to fuss....  And my father is not young, Kathleen.  So I thought I’d like to run down and take him out to dinner once or twice—­to a roof-garden or something, you know.  It’s rather pathetic that men of his age, grown gray in service, should feel obliged to remain in the stifling city this summer.”

“Of course you must go,” she said; “you couldn’t even hesitate.  Is your mother worried?”

“I don’t suppose she has the slightest notion that there is anything to worry over.  And there isn’t, I think.  She and Naida will be in the Berkshires; I’ll go up and stay with them later—­when Geraldine is all right again,” he added cheerfully.

Scott, fidgeting like a neglected pup, came wandering into the hall, book in hand.

“For the love of Mike,” he said impatiently, “what have you two got to talk about all night?”

“My son,” observed Duane, “there are a few subjects for conversation which do not include the centipede and the polka-dotted dickey-bird.  These subjects Kathleen and I furtively indulge in when we can arrange to elude you.”

Scott covered a yawn and glanced at Kathleen.

“Is Geraldine all right?” he asked with all the healthy indifference of a young man who had never been ill, and was, therefore, incapable of understanding illness in others.

“Certainly, she’s all right,” said Duane.  And to Kathleen:  “I believe I’ll venture to knock at her door——­”

“Oh, no, Duane.  She isn’t ready to see anybody——­”

“Well, I’ll try——­”

“Please, don’t!”

But he had her at a disadvantage, and he only laughed and mounted the stairs, saying: 

“I’ll just exchange a word with her or with her maid, anyway.”