"'Don't be silly, my dear! Whoever takes any notice of what you write? You write much too well.'
"'It's only that I had a vague idea,' she explained very gently, 'that you wouldn't be there.' Then, somehow, there was a short silence. That telephone silence, full of dim murmurings and the attention of two people!
"'Why?' I asked abruptly.
"'Don't be snappy with me, please, Howard,' the voice begged. 'I just wanted to know for certain, that's all.'
"Queer things happen sometimes on a clear telephone about half-past ten at night. Voices seem to take their clothes off....
"'Well, as a matter of fact,' I began slowly.
"'Yes?' It was scarcely a word, but a light low tremor of a question.... I put my lips very close to the mouthpiece and formed my words very clearly:—
"'Why don't you want me to come, Fay?'
"I'm not sure about the little gasp, but only about the little voice, after a long second, saying, 'I don't know why, Howard.'