"Everything in me that amounts to anything I owe to him," he said.
They walked to the "little place around the corner," as Consuello referred to it. The dinner was served to them at a corner table in a spotlessly clean room of "Mother" Graham's cafe, which was only large enough to accommodate a dozen couples. The proprietress, "Mother" Graham, who took as much pride in her cookery as the chef of the most expensive cafe, greeted Consuello effusively.
"And how's my little darling, tonight?" she asked. "'Mother' Graham shall serve you herself, for it's not every night that I see your dear face."
The dinner was plain, appetizing home cooking; delicious brown chops, crisp cool salad, fragrant coffee and hot rolls; berries and cream. Once John caught a glimpse of "Mother" Graham pointing out Consuello to a pop-eyed girl and her youthful escort as "Jean Hope."
"I am being envied," he said across the table.
"By whom?"
"By everyone who sees us. I do not blame them, for I am to be envied."
"Because you are with Jean Hope?" she smiled.
"Because I am with Consuello Carrillo," he answered. "I do not know Jean Hope yet. I am to meet her, tonight."
"You saw her before the camera," she reminded him.