Claire threw him a warped smile as she began to play. But in spite of the fact that a score or more of the old patrons were within earshot, there was no attempt at folk-dancing.
"This is the end!" thought Claire, as she yielded her place to the "professor."
At that moment Doctor Danilo came in.
"Improvements?" he half questioned, lifting his eyebrows significantly to Claire. "Let us sit down and have coffee."
He had brought her two books on Serbia—a brief history and a sketch of modern conditions. Claire bent forward attentively as he opened first one and then the other, explaining the pictures, tracing the war's progress on the inevitable maps. Finally she said:
"Did you interest your patient?"
"Scarcely. He was not in good condition to-day. But then one never can tell. Knocks upon the head are full of possibilities. He is indifferent. If he were not an American, I would think him in love. But Americans, really, they never have time for foolishness."
He sat with Claire until long after midnight. When she arose to leave he insisted upon taking her home in his car.
The next evening Madge said to her:
"No wonder you don't waste your time on the other guys around here! Folks who can make home-runs don't figure on stealing any bases."