“I think,” he said, “that I was a little lonely. You see I know none of these people. I am a stranger, and I felt a little out of my element. And then—then he came by with you, and—well, I wished I were in his place.”
She laughed very softly.
“So far as I am concerned,” she murmured, “you very soon had your wish.”
“It was very kind of you,” he said, “to take pity upon me.”
“I think that I wanted to talk to you again,” she said. “I am tired of all these people. Tell me, Mr. Brand, how long will you stay on in Theos?”
“I am not sure,” he answered, “perhaps a week, perhaps a month. It depends upon my paper. They may recall me at any time.”
She frowned, and stopped fanning herself.
“Why do you go back?” she said, abruptly. “Why do you not stay in Theos?”
“There is no place here for me,” he answered. “I am a stranger.”
“You say,” she continued, “that in your own country the limits of life are being drawn closer. Why do you not make for yourself a career in a country like this? Theos has need of such men as you.”