"For your eye, of course. Do you know I came within an ace of ordering veal? Wasn't that the luckiest thing?"
Half an hour later, dressed except that his neck would accommodate no collar, John moved his limbs experimentally before the glass. "I believe I'll get myself in better shape," he said thoughtfully. "I must be getting old."
"You mean so that next time you can beat him?"
"I did beat him," he announced. "At least, I beat him as much as he beat me. And there isn't going to be any next time. Don't you go calling people common any more. If you get in any trouble, you just take your coat and go home. Understand?"
"Yes, dear," she said meekly. "I was very foolish and now I understand."
Out in the hall, he paused abruptly by the baby's door.
"Is she asleep?"
"Sound asleep. But you can go in and peek at her—just to say good night."
They tiptoed in and bent together over the bed. Little Ede, her cheeks flushed with health, her pink hands clasped tight together, was sleeping soundly in the cool, dark room. John reached over the railing of the bed and passed his hand lightly over the silken hair.
"She's asleep," he murmured in a puzzled way.