“I don’t care who hears!” But he lowered his voice. “I haven’t had a kiss from you for days—quick!

Their lips met.

“You dear little girl! Is she being a beast to you?”

Elsie, in his embrace, started violently. “Someone coming upstairs!” she hissed.

He stood motionless to listen, waited a second too long, and then sharply shut the door.

“Florrie!” Elsie whispered in a frightened voice. “Did she see us?”

“No, no—not a chance. Or, if she did, she only saw me. She won’t think anything of that.”

“She’s gone upstairs—I must go.”

“No, don’t. I tell you it’s all right. Hang it, Elsie, when am I going to get a word with you again?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think I shall go home again.” She was half crying.