"Oh, the business," Alec announced, "is bound to succeed now."
"Sure," I broke in hastily, "just bound to. It's awfully nice, all around, isn't it? And I—" I floundered on, "I am just—just pleased!"
The hall clock struck one. I grasped the blessed sound like a sinking man.
"Is that twelve-thirty, one, or one-thirty? I haven't the ghost of an idea," I said lightly. Then desperately, at the breaking point, I gasped, "Is it cold out?"
Alec patted my hand.
"Brave girl! I understand. But don't you worry. Everything will work out all right. Now I'll say good-night."
I think Alec must have seen I couldn't hold in much longer. I was, in fact, using every atom of strength that I possessed to fight that pushing, shoving, tumbling crowd of lumps and sobs in my throat. Just as Alec was closing my door I managed to call after him, so that he might know that I wasn't crying, "Be sure and turn out the lights."
"All right, General-manager."
"And say," I added, "you know I think it's perfectly fine."
"Surely! Good-night."