me; do you? You don't care whether I am ignorant or educated, bad or
good, ill or well--as long as it does not affect my posing for you;
whether I am happy or unhappy, whether I--"

"For Heaven's sake--"

"But you don't care! . . . Do you?"

He was silent; he stood looking at her in a stupid sort of way.

After a moment or two she rose, picked up her hat, went to the glass
and pinned it on, then strolled slowly back, drawing on her gloves.

"It's five o'clock, you know, Drene."

"Yes, certainly."

"Do you want me to-morrow?"

"Yes. Yes, of course."

"You are not offended?"

He did not answer. She came up to him and repeated the question in
a childishly anxious voice that was a trifle too humble. And looking
down into her eyes he saw a gleam of pure mischief in them.

"You little villain!" he said; and caught her wrists. "A lot you
care whether I am offended!"