This grew "curioser and curioser," as Alice had occasion to remark in her adventures. But having embarked upon my narrative, I went on——
"Whom do you think Phyllis meant when she spoke of trying to learn to love a man who seemed to love her? Was it Alb, or——"
"Mr. Robert van Buren, perhaps you were going to say," cut in the L.C.P.
"No, I don't mean him," I answered hurriedly. "Modesty forbids me to mention the name in my mind."
"But it was given to you by your sponsors in baptism. Will it make you very unhappy if I say I don't think that was the name in her mind?"
"I shall have to bear it," I said. "But, of course, I shall be unhappy."
"We all seem to be unhappy lately," remarked the L.C.P.
"Except you."
"Yes, except me, of course," she responded. "Why should I be unhappy? Tibe loves me."
"You don't deserve it; but so do we all," said I.