The Judge had enjoyed the scene.  He chuckled; he clicked his loose false teeth like castanets.  Bob turned at the sound and regarded him with benignant interest, his attention riveted upon the old man’s dental infirmity.

“You’re quite a comedian,” Regan wheezed.

“Click ’em again,” said Bob, pleasantly.  “Wonderful!  Age has its compensations.  Play ‘Home, Sweet Home’ when you get ’em tuned up.  Or perhaps they are for sale?”

Lorelei secured her number and was surprised to recognize her brother’s voice.  She made herself known, to Jim’s equal amazement, and then inquired: 

“Is Max there?”

“Sure.  He’s outside in the automobile.”

“Call him, please.”

“What do you want of him?  How’d you know I was here?”

“Never mind.  Call him quickly.”

During the wait Wharton ejaculated:  “Ha!  ‘Jim,’ ‘Max.’  Men’s names!  Mr. Regan, kindly grind your teeth for me.  No?  Will you grind them for a dollar?  Jealousy business.  Thanks.”

At last Melcher’s voice came over the wire, and Lorelei recited her message.  There was a moment of silence, then she explained how she came to be talking instead of Lilas.

He thanked her and she heard him muttering as he hung up.  She turned to find her annoyer nodding with satisfaction.

“Splendid!  I thank you; my father thanks you; my family thanks you.  Now where would you like to dine?”

“How can a person get rid of you?” she inquired, stiffly.

“I’m sure I don’t know—­it isn’t being done.  But I’ll try to think.  Wear your prettiest gown, won’t you? for I intend to enrage all the other fellows.”

“This is an invitation, eh?”

“The first of a nightly series.  Life is opening out for you in a wonderful manner, Miss Knight.  Don’t refuse; my legs have petrified, and a gang of safe-movers couldn’t budge me.”

She turned with a shrug of mingled annoyance and amusement, and he called after her: 

“The Judge’s teeth will entertain me till you come.  I’ll be waiting.”

Miss Lynn, as she dressed after the performance, was still in an evil temper; but she thanked her room-mate for aiding her; then, as if some explanation were due, she added, “That note was from Jarvis.”

“You puzzle me, Lilas,” Lorelei told her, slowly.  “I don’t think you care for him at all.”

Lilas laughed.  “Why do you think that?  I adore him, but we had an engagement and he broke it.  Men are all selfish:  the bigger they are the more selfish they become.  They never do anything you don’t make them.”

“He can’t sacrifice his business for you.”

“Sacrifice!  It’s women who sacrifice themselves.  D’you suppose any of those men we met last night would sacrifice himself for anything or anybody?  Not much.  They are the strong and the mighty.  They got rich through robbery, and they’re in the habit of taking whatever they want.  They made their money out of the blood and suffering of thousands of poor people, so why—­”