the lover stared for a moment, then tried not to appear confused.

"Oh, a mere trifle!" he said with offhand dignity.

"I gave mine twenty-five dollars," she whispered. "Wasn't that
enough?"

"Abundant, I should say. But I am not well posted on such matters." It
was evident he wished to avoid the subject, and was also impatient to
get away, for he took out his watch. "If Miss Pilgrim is really likely
to be detained--" he began.

Miss Golightly rose to the occasion and dismissed him. "I understand,"
she exclaimed amiably. "Every minute is precious."

Nevertheless, it was not until two days later that he succeeded in
finding Mary Wellington at home. He called that evening, but was told
by the person in charge that she had taken a brief respite from work
and would not return for another twenty-four hours. On the second
occasion, as the first, he brought with him under his arm a good-sized
package, neatly done up.

"I am back again," he said, and he pressed her hand with unmistakable
zeal.

Her greeting was friendly; not emotional like his, or unreserved; but
he flattered himself that she seemed very glad to see him. He
reflected: "I don't believe that it did my cause a particle of harm to
let her go without the constant visits she had grown accustomed to
expect."