"I say, what's the matter?"
"Why, nothing!" answered Pen with a startled look.
"This afternoon we were like pals.... What have I done to offend you?"
"Nothing whatever," said Pen.
"Oh," he said sorely, "then it's just that you don't fancy my style much anyhow."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that!" said Pen with a teasing smile. Heaven knows what it cost her.
"I quite understand," he said with a man's absurd injured vanity.
"You understand nothing!" murmured Pen.
He moved to the front door, and failed to hear her. For a moment or two they looked unhappily out at the night. The moon had risen behind the house and was casting long shadows athwart the lawn. Beyond the edge of the bank there was a mystical sea of subdued radiance.
"Well ... good-night ... good-by," he mumbled. "Thank you so much for your kindness ... good-by."