"For the Southwest?" she echoed in surprise. "But we heard of you just back from the West."
"Yes, and with some stories for you. This time it is New Orleans and a terminal project."
"So busy a man! I hope we shall see you when you return."
"I certainly hope so. If I didn't, I shouldn't go. By-the-way," he added humorously, "I seem to have dropped something."
"What can it be?"
"The string you held out a minute ago."
Alice's eyes danced but only the telephone receiver saw them. "What string?"
"About letting me come over. A car was set in this afternoon at Sunbury but the train doesn't pick me up till eleven o'clock to-night. I might run over to see you on my way down----"
"Oh, by all means, do, Mr. Kimberly."
"--just to see how you look when you are happy."