"I don't understand you."
"Then I'll say, bluntly, that it meant a lot to me, and that the place is intolerable when you're not here. That is specific, isn't it?"
"Very. You mean that, being accustomed to having somebody to amuse you, your own resources are insufficient."
"Are you serious?"
"Perfectly. That is why you are kind enough to miss my coming and going—because I amuse you."
"Do you think that way about me?"
"I do when I think of you. You know sometimes I'm thinking of other things, too, Mr. Desboro."
He bit his lip, waited for a moment, then:
"If you feel that way, you'll scarcely care to come up to-morrow. Whatever arrangement you make about cataloguing the collection will be all right. If I am not here, communications addressed to the Olympian Club will be forwarded——"
"Mr. Desboro!"