"To gloat over you like food. Eh?"
"Yes, exactly."
"He's a bon-viveur, you see—like his father."
"But, like his father, he has so many good qualities," put in Mrs. Dawes.
"He has," said Anders Krog seriously.
Mary said no more. She bade them good-night, and offered him her forehead to kiss.
A few days later Mary went to Alice's house at an early hour. Anders Krog had seen some old Chinese porcelain which he thought of buying; but Alice's advice was indispensable. At this time of day and in the studio Mary could be certain of finding her alone—at least alone with her model.
She went straight in without speaking to the porter. Alice opened the door herself. She had on her studio-dress and her hand was dirty, so that she could not take Mary's.
"You are busy with a model," whispered Mary.
"I shall be presently," answered Alice with a curious smile. "The model is waiting in the next room. But come in."