were only something I could do--"

"Well, give me the names of some dealers," said Stefan, to whom scenes
were exquisitely embarrassing, anxious to be gone.

Jensen wrote several names on a smudged half sheet of paper. "These are
the best. Try them. My introduction wouldn't help, I'm afraid," bitterly.

On that Stefan left him, hurrying with relief from the musty atmosphere
of failure into the busy street. Though half dazed by the sudden
subsidence of his plans, unable to face as yet the possible consequences,
he had his pictures, and the names of the real dealers; confidence still
buoyed him.




II


Three hours later Mary, anxiously waiting, heard Stefan's step approach
their bedroom door. Instantly her heart dropped like lead. She did not
need his voice to tell her what those dragging feet announced. She sprang
to the door and had her arms round his neck before he could speak. She
took the heavy roll of canvases from him and half pushed him into the
room's one comfortable arm-chair. Kneeling beside him, she pressed her
cheek to his, stroking back his heat-damped hair. "Darling," she said,
"you are tired to death. Don't tell me about your day till you've rested
a little."