"I'm not a bit hungry," she protested; "but what a lovely steak." She attacked it with vigor. "Um, um," she said between mouthfuls. "Delicious." There were half a dozen other dishes. Her strong white teeth wrought havoc with their contents. Jaro, a light eater, picked at a salad, but for the most part he watched the girl with growing interest. From time to time she cast covetous glances at his steak which he had pushed aside.
"If you're not going to eat your steak," she ventured hesitantly.
Jaro pushed it across the table. "For a girl who wasn't a bit hungry," he said; "you've shown remarkable staying powers. What do you do? Store it up in case of famine?"
"Really," said Joan polishing off Jaro's steak; "you embarrass me."
Just then a loud knock at the door caused her to gulp the last of it unchewed.
"What is this?" she asked, "the crossroads of Mercury? You certainly entertain a lot."
Jaro drew his slug gun again, tiptoed to the door, pulled it open. A big blond young man was leaning against the door frame. He was a good six feet, three inches tall and his shoulders almost filled the entrance. He had light blue eyes, a short straight nose. The rest of his face wore a broad grin.
"Hello, Jaro, you old butcher," said the big young man. "Quit tickling my nose with that slug gun and invite me in."
Joan tittered as Jaro holstered the gun. The big young man caught sight of her for the first time. He looked quickly away.